AN INDIAN HERO.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3565, 27 September 1916, Page 5

AN INDIAN HERO.

AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS

(R-ecoivod September 27, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 26.

N&ik Shahamad Khan, of the Punjaubiß, has been awarded the Victoria Cross. He was in charge of a machine gun covering a,gap in our lines, within 150 yards of tho enemy's entrenchments, and beat off three counterattacks. He worked tho gun singlehanded after all the men, except two belt-fillers, had become casualties. Shahamad held the gap for three hours until it was made secure. When the gun was knock©] out, he and the beltfillers held the ground with their rifles. One of the belt-fillers brought the gun ammunition and a severelywounded man on his back, and finally Shahamad returned alone and removed the remaining arms and equipment. His great gallantry and determination saved our line.

Thirty-nix D.S.O.'s include 10 awarded to Australians, and of 251 Military Crosses, 192 have been gained by British soldiers, 49 by Australians, sis by Canadians, and four by South Africans. ;