four Sepoys". And this he did, and brought them all safely out. And, wonderful to relate, he was not touched by bullet or shell, all day or all night. Next morning he was as hale and cheerful as ever and grinned with great joy when he heard that he was a brave man! The Victoria Cross had only recently been granted to Indian soldiers and perhaps there is no worthier wearer of the badge of honour than Lance Naik Lalla of the Dogras". (pp. 334–336) Lala was also awarded the 1st Class of the Russian Cross of St. George (AO 1065 of 1917) – a unique combination to an Indian soldier – and Mentioned in Dispatches (L.G. 17 Oct. 1916). Lala returned to India in 1917. The Governor-General of India, Lord Chelmsford, at a special parade on Tuesday, 30 January 1917, at the vice-regal lodge, Delhi, India, presented medals and orders to 200 Indian officers and men including the Victoria Cross to Lance-Naik Lala, 41st Dogras, and two other Indian soldiers. Lala saw further action as a Havildar with the 41st Dogras in the Third Afghan War in 1919. He was later awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in the re-numbered 3-17 Dogras, in addition to gaining advancement to officer rank as Jemadar in 1923. He retired after 25 years' service in 1926 and returned to his home in Parol but sad to say did not live long to enjoy an honourable retirement. He contracted polio and died in March 1927; his remains were cremated there shortly afterwards. It is said that his last words were "We fought true". Nowadays, Lala Ram takes an honoured place amongst India's winners of the Victoria Cross and was named on a memorial plaque recently presented by Great Britain to the Indian Government to commemorate their VC winners. At one stage, a local park was named after him and although it was subsequently re-named there are calls for it to be restored under his name. Sadly, his V.C. group has not fared well. His actual Victoria Cross has never been found and the remnants of his medal group turned up in a dealer's box in India – but comprised only his British War Medal, India General Service Medal and M.S.M. The Medal His British War Medal, India General Service Medal with clasp "Afghanistan/NWF 1919" and his Meritorious Service Medal survive and have several times been