Muslim VC Holders

There are 1,352, recipients of the COVETED VICTORIA CROSS since its inception over 155 years ago..list includes the lone unknown soldier in Arlington Cemetery. However, a total of 1,355 VCs have been awarded, as three people have had it twice a distinction known as "VC and Bar", which means you are about as brave as it is possible to be without winning a war on your own. Just 9 VC holders are still alive, each of whom also receives 1,495 a year...

Name

Nationality

Date of action

Conflict

Unit

Place of action

Notes

Abdul Hafiz Indian

1944*

Second World 9th Jat Infantry War

Imphal, India

Ali Haidar

Indian

1945

Second World 13th Frontier Force Rifles Fusignano, Italy War Second World 10th Baluch Regiment War First World War

Fazal Din

Indian

1945

Meiktila, Burma

Khudadad Khan

Indian

1914

129th Duke of Connaught's Own

Hollebeke, Belgium

Baluchis First World War

Mir Dast

Indian

1915

55th Coke's Rifles

Wieltje, Belgium

Shahamad Khan Sher Shah

Indian

1916

First World War

89th Punjab Regiment

Beit Ayeesa,Mesopotamia Kyeyebyin, Burma

Indian

1945*

Second World 16th Punjab Regiment War

1.....jamedar abdul hafiz..

He was 19 years old, and a Jemadar in the 9th Jat Regiment, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 6 April 1944 north of Imphal, India, Jemadar Abdul Hafiz was ordered to attack with his platoon a prominent position held by the enemy, the only approach to which was across a bare slope and then up a very steep cliff. The Jemadar led the assault, killing several of the enemy himself and then pressed on regardless of machine-gun fire from another feature. He received two wounds, the second of which was fatal, but he had succeeded in routing an enemy vastly superior in numbers and had captured a most important position. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

2....Sub Khuda Dad Khan..129 DCO Baluchis..

badge 129 duke of caunnaught's own baluchis..

Born on 20 October 1888 in the village of Dab in Chakwal District (then a tehsil of District Jhelum) of the Punjab Province, British India (now Pakistan), Khudadad Khan was a Sepoy in the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis,British Indian Army (now 11th Battalion The Baloch Regiment of Pakistan Army). The battalion formed part of the Indian Corps, which was sent to Francein 1914, to shore up the British forces fighting on the Western Front during theFirst World War. In October 1914, the Germans launched a major offensive in northern Belgium, in order to capture the vital ports of Boulogne in France and Nieuport in Belgium. In what came to be known as the First Battle of Ypres, the newly arrived 129th Baluchis were rushed to the frontline to support the hard-pressed British troops. On 31 October, two companies of the Baluchis bore the brunt of the main German attack near the village of Gheluvelt in Hollebeke Sector. The out-numbered Baluchis fought gallantly but were overwhelmed after suffering heavy casualties. Sepoy Khudadad Khans machine-gun team, along with one other, kept their guns in action throughout the day; preventing the Germans from making the final breakthrough. The other gun was disabled by a shell and eventually Khudadad Khans own team was overrun. All the men were killed by bullets or bayonets except Khudadad Khan, who despite being badly wounded, had continued working his gun. He

was left for dead by the enemy but despite his wounds, he managed to crawl back to his regiment during the night. Thanks to his bravery, and that of his fellow Baluchis, the Germans were held up just long enough for Indian and British reinforcements to arrive. They strengthened the line, and prevented the German Army from reaching the vital ports. For his matchless feat of courage and gallantry, Sepoy Khudadad Khan was awarded the Victoria Cross. Khudadad Khan retired as a Subedar. He died in 1971 and is buried in Chak No. 25, Mandi Bahauddin. His Victoria Cross is on display at his ancestral house in Village Dab (Chakwal), Pakistan.[4

3,,,Sep Ali Haider 13 FF...

Birth: Aug. 21, 1913 death; Jul. 15, 1999 World War II British Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a SepoySergeant in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, India Army and was the only Pathan to receive the Victoria Cross in the World War II. On April 9, 1945, his company was ordered to assault enemy positions on the far bank of the River Senio, Fusignano, Italy. As the platoon started to cross, it came under heavy machine gun fire from two enemy posts and Haidar's section suffered casualties and only 3 men, including himself, managed to get across. On his own initiative, Haidar charged the nearest post, threw a grenade wounding himself with the enemy post being destroyed and four of the enemy surrendered. He continued charging the next post, was again wounded, threw a grenade killing two with the remaining two surrendered leading to the success of the river crossing. For extreme heroism, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in July 1945. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)

4..Jamedar Shamshad Khan...89 Punjab..

Birth: Jul. 1, 1879 Death: Jul. 28, 1947 World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Naik in the 89th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army. In actions at Mesopotamia on April 12, 13, 1916, Naik Khan was in charge of a machine-gun covering a gap on the line within 150 yards of the entrenched enemy. He beat off three attacks and worked his gun single-handed after all his men, except two belt-fillers, had become casualties. For three hours he held the gap under very heavy fire and when his gun was knocked out, he held his ground with rifle fire until ordered to withdraw. The next day, with help he then brought back his gun, ammunition, one severely wounded man and all remaining arms and equipment. For extreme courage in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal and later achieved the rank of Jemadar (Lieutenant)..

5..Naik Fazal Din..7/10th Baluch Regiment..

Action by Naik Fazal Din, 2 March 1945, Meiktila Bur

Fazal Din was 23 years old, and an Acting Naik in the 7th Battalion 10th Baluch Regiment, British Indian Army (now 15th Battalion The Baloch Regiment of Pakistan Army) during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC: During the Second World War, Fazal Din's battalion, 7/10th Baluch, fought against the Japanese Army in the Burmese Campaign. On 2 March 1945, near Meiktila, Burma, No. 18602 Naik Fazal Din was commanding a section during a company attack on a Japanese bunkered position. His section was held up by machine-gun fire and grenades from several bunkers. Unhesitatingly, he attacked the nearest position with grenades and silenced it; but as he led his men against the other bunkers, six Japanese soldiers rushed from a nearby house, led by two officers wielding swords. The section Bren gunner shot one officer and an enemy soldier, but ran out of ammunition and was killed by the second officer. Naik Fazal Din rushed to the assistance of his stricken comrade but the Japanese ran his sword through his chest. As he withdrew the sword, Fazal Din, despite his terrible wound, seized the sword from the Japanese officer and killed him with it. He then killed two more Japanese soldiers with the sword. Continuing to encourage his men, he staggered to his Platoon Headquarters to make his report. He collapsed there, and died soon after reaching the Regimental Aid Post. His action was seen by the whole platoon, who, inspired by his gallantry, continued the attack and annihilated the Japanese garrison of fifty-five men. Such supreme devotion to duty even when fatally wounded, presence of mind and outstanding courage have seldom been equalled and reflect the unquenchable spirit of a singularly brave and gallant NCO. For his incredible feat of valour, Naik Fazal Din was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

6...Lance Naik Sher Shah..16 Punjab..

Sher Shah Awan VC (14 February 1917 20 January 1945) ..

[edit]

[ London Gazette, 8th May 1945 ]. Kyeyebin Kaladan, Burma, 19th - 20th January 1945, No. 14922 Lance Naik Sher Shah, 16th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army.

In Burma, on the night of 19th / 20th January 1945, Lance Naik Sher Shah commanded the left forward section of his platoon. At 19:30 hours a Japanese platoon attacked his post. Realizing that overwhelming numbers would probably destroy his section, he, by himself, stalked the enemy from their rear and broke up their attack by firing into their midst. He killed the platoon commander and six other Japanese and, after their withdrawal, crawled back to his section post.At 00:15 hours the Japanese, who were now reinforced with a company, started to form up for another attack. Sher Shah heard their officers giving orders and bayonets being fixed prior to the assault. Again he left his section post and, in spite of Japanese covering from small arms and mortars, crawled forward and saw Japanese officers and men grouped together. He fired into this group and they again broke up and started to withdraw in disorder. Whilst on his way back for the second time he was hit by a mortar bomb, which shattered his right leg. He regained his position and propping himself against the side of the trench, continued firing and encouraging his men. When asked whether he was hurt, he replied that it was only slight. Some time afterwards it was discovered his right leg was missing. The Japanese again started forming up for another attack. In spite of his severe wounds and considerable loss of blood, and very heavy Japanese supporting fire, Lance Naik Sher Shah again left his section post and crawled forward, firing into their midst at point blank range. He continued firing until for the third time the Japanese attack was broken up and until he was shot through the head, from which he subsequently died. Twenty-three dead and four wounded Japanese, including an officer, were found in daylight immediately in front of his position.

His initiative and indomitable courage throughout this very critical situation undoubtedly averted the over-running of his platoon, and was the deciding factor in defeating the Japanese attacks. His supreme self-sacrifice, disregard of danger and selfless devotion to duty, were an inspiration to all his comrades throughout the Battalion.

Sher Shah was born in Chakrala Village, near Mianwali, North Punjab, India ( now North West Frontier, Pakistan ).

7..Subedar Mir Dast,,55 Cokes FF Regt..

Mir Dast was born on 3 December 1874 in the Maidan valley, Tirah, North-West Frontier Province, and died on 19 January 1945 at Shagi Landi Kyan Village, Tehsil, Peshawar. He is buried at Warsak Road Cemetery, Shagi Landi Kyan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas,Pakistan..Mir Dast enlisted in the

British Indian Army in December 1894. He served in the North-West Frontierand Waziristan prior to World War I, and was promoted to the rank of Jemadar in March 1909. He was retired from active service in 1917 with the rank of Subedar..

He was a 40 years old Pathan, born in Maidan, Tirah, North-West Frontier Province. During the First World War Dast was a Jemadar in the 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force), British Indian Army, attd. 57th Wilde's Rifles (F.F.) during when he performed the service for which he was awarded the VC. In addition to the Victoria Cross, the descendants of Mir Dast were awarded the title "Ray-Chaudhuri" which replaced the family name and serves as the Indian equivalent of British Lordship.

On 26 April 1915 at Ypres, Belgium, Jemadar Mir Dast led his platoon with great bravery during the attack, and afterwards collected various parties of the regiment (when no British officers were left) and kept them under his command until the retirement was ordered. He also displayed great courage that day when he risked his life to carry eight wounded British and Indian officers to safety while exposed to very heavy fire. Today a monument stands at the Memorial Gates at Hyde Park Corner in London to commemorate the VCs of Indian Heritage, including Mir Dast..