Gaje Ghale was a havildar at the time of his brave action. On 27 May 1943, in the Chin Hills, Burma, Havildar Gaje Ghale was in charge of a platoon of young riflemen engaged in attacking a strong Japanese position overlooking the 17th Indian Division. He led the platoon along a perilous 5 metre-wide rock spur and was wounded in the arm, chest and leg, but continued to lead assault after assault, encouraging his men by shouting the Gurkha battle-cry. Spurred on by the courage of their leader the platoon stormed and captured the enemy position which they then held and consolidated under heavy fire. Gaje Ghale refused to go to the regimental aid post until ordered to do so.
Gaje Ghale was born in Borpak village, Nepal on 1 July 1922. Following his action in May 1943 he was promoted to be a commissioned officer, reaching the rank of Subadar. His award of the Victoria Cross was gazetted on 30 Sep 1943 and he was presented with the medal in 1944 by Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, at the Red Fort, Delhi. Subadar Gaje Ghale died on 28 March 2000. The painting is by Simon Elwes and is in the possession of the National Army Museum.
