Chatta Singh

For five hours he shielded a wounded officer from rifle fire

Chatta Singh was born in the Cawnpore area of Uttar Pradesh in 1886. He served as a sepoy in the 9th Bhopal Infantry of the Indian Army during the First World War.

In Mesopotamia, during the effort to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut, his commanding officer fell wounded in the open. Singh left cover under heavy rifle fire, treated the officer and dug protection with his entrenching tool. For five hours he remained beside the casualty, shielding the exposed side with his own body. When darkness allowed movement, he went back for help and brought the wounded man to safety.

The rescue earned the Victoria Cross. His later military service brought promotion to havildar, equivalent to sergeant.

Singh survived the war and lived in India after retirement. His known decorations include the First World War campaign medals and the coronation medals of 1937 and 1953. He died in 1961 in the Tilsara area.