Ram Sarup Singh was born on 12 April 1919 in a Tanwar Rajput family at Village Kheri Talwana, Mahendergarh. In October 1944, he was an acting subedar in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment close to Kennedy Peak in the Tiddim area.
Supplement to The London Gazette of Friday, the 6th of February, 1945
War Office, 8th February, 1945
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:
Jemadar (acting Subedar) Ram Sarup Singh (12744), 1st Punjab Regiment, Indian Army.
In Burma on the 25th October, 1944, two platoons of the 1st Punjab Regiment were ordered to put in a diversionary attack on the flank of an enemy position. This feature was of exceptional natural strength and was defended by a large force of fresh Japanese troops who had turned the hill into a fortress. Every approach was covered by medium and light machine-guns sited in bunkers. The platoon of Subedar Ram Sarup Singh at once charged the position with another section. This instantaneous action completely bewildered the enemy, who fled from the bunkered positions suffering casualties in their retreat. The Subedar was wounded in the legs but took no notice of his wounds. While he was consolidating his position, the enemy opened heavy fire with grenade dischargers, and at the same time put in a strong counter-attack in three waves of twenty each from a flank. It seemed that the platoon must be overwhelmed, but Subedar Ram Sarup Singh got another light machine-gun into position and led a charge against the advancing enemy, bayonetting four himself, and checking them. Although badly wounded in the thigh, he got up and, ignoring his wound, again went for the enemy shouting encouragement to his men. He bayonetted another Japanese and shot a further one, but was mortally wounded by a burst of medium machine-gun fire in the chest and neck.
It would be difficult to find a finer example of cool bravery, cheerfulness, leadership and determination. His action had a profound effect on the rest of the Company, and when volunteers were called for to bring in his body, under the heaviest fire, the entire Company volunteered.
Subedar Ram Sarup Singh’s gallantry will inspire the Regiment for all time.
Ram Singh is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Yangon, Myanmar.