Badlu Singh

Who was Badlu Singh?

Badlu Singh VC was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was born in village Dhakla, district Rohtak, Haryana, India.

He was a risaldar in the 14th Murray's Jat Lancers, Indian Army, attached to 29th Lancers during the First World War when the following deed took place on 23 September 1918 at Kh. es Samariyeh, Jordan River, Palestine for which he was awarded the VC:

Risaldar Badlu Singh was attached to 29th Lancers when "on the morning of the 23rd September 1918, his squadron charged a strong enemy position on the west bank of the river Jordan, between the river and Kh. es Samariyeh village.

"On nearing the position, Risaldar Badlu Singh realised that the squadron was suffering casualties from a small hill on the left front occupied by machine guns and 200 infantry. Without the slightest hesitation he collected six other ranks and with the greatest dash and total disregard for danger, charged and captured the position, thereby saving very heavy casualties to the squadron. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine guns single handed, but all the machine guns and infantry had surrendered to him before he died.