'Lance Naik Lala, V.C.', 1916

Cigarette card, No 106 of the 5th series of 'The Great War Victoria Cross Heroes', a set of 25 cigarette cards, published by Gallaher Limited, Belfast and London, 1916.

Portrait of Lance Naik Lala, 41st Dogras wearing his Victoria Cross.

Lala was born in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. Serving with the 41st Dogras, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Hanna in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) on 21 January 1916, during World War One (1914-1918).

The reverse of the card summarises the Indian soldier's gallantry, 'in rescuing two wounded officers. He carried one officer to shelter and then crawled through a furious fire to rescue his adjutant. As returning with the latter was unwise under such deadly fire, Lala gave his clothing to keep the/ officer warm, and after dark he carried both into safety'.

Lala died of polio in 1927 and his last words were reputed to have been, 'We fought true'.

Cigarette cards were produced from the mid 1870s until the end of World War Two (1939-1945). Used to strengthen thin cigarette packs the cards were quickly developed into advertising devices. Series of cards covering every conceivable subject, from sportsmen to flora and fauna, were produced to encourage collectors and potential smokers alike.

One of a collection of 103 cigarette cards.