Medal group, Havildar Bhagat Ram, 1945 (c)

The group includes Military Medal 1945, 1939-45 Star, Burma Star 1941-45 and British War Medal 1939-45.

Bhagat Ram was a Chamar from Chinihar Village in the Kangra district, in north-east India at the foot of the Himalayas. He received one of just three Military Medals awarded to men of the Chamar Regiment. The award was announced in the 'London Gazette', dated 12 July 1945.

The Chamar Regiment was among the units raised by the British during World War Two to increase the strength of the Indian Army. It was formed along caste lines from the Chamars, a lower caste of Hindus. The Regiment fought against the Japanese in Burma, as part of the 268 Indian Brigade, under the command of Brigadier G M Dyer, part of 15 Corps. The unit was disbanded as part of the wider demobilisation at the end of the War.