Naik Darwan Singh Negi: The Heroic Story of a World War I Victoria Cross Winner

Darwan Singh Negi was awarded Victoria Cross medal, for his bravery during the Battle of Festubert in 1914.

Darwan Singh Negi, a legendary soldier of the British Indian Army, became one of the first Indian recipients of the Victoria Cross during World War I. His exceptional bravery during the Battle of Festubert in 1914 remains a testament to his courage. This article explores his life, military career, and enduring legacy.

On this page

• Introduction
• Early Life and Background
• Military Career
• The Victoria Cross Action
• Later Military Service and Life After War
• Memorials and Honors
• Conclusion

Introduction

Darwan Singh Negi was one of the first Indian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest military decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during World War I. His bravery and leadership in the trenches of Festubert, France, earned him a place in military history. This article explores his early life, military career, heroic actions, and legacy.

Naik Darwan Singh Negi, Victoria Cross Photo | via: Wikipedia.

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Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Darwan Singh Negi was born in 1881 in the small village of Kafarteer, near Chamoli district of Uttarakhand (then part of the United Provinces, British India). He belonged to the Negi clan of the Garhwali Rajputs, a community known for its martial traditions.

Detail Information

Full Name	Darwan Singh Negi
Birth Year	1881
Birthplace	Kafarteer village, near Chamoli District (Uttarakhand, India)
Ethnicity	Garhwali Rajput (Negi clan)
Family Background	Agrarian, martial tradition

Education and Early Career

Growing up in a rural, mountainous region, formal education was limited. Like many young men in his community, he was drawn to military service, which offered stability and honor. The British Indian Army actively recruited from the Garhwal Rifles due to the bravery and resilience of its soldiers.

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Detail Information

Education	Limited formal schooling (typical for rural Garhwal)
Early Occupation	Likely engaged in farming before enlistment
Military Influence	Belonged to a region known for supplying soldiers to the British Indian Army

Military Career

Enlistment and Early Service

Darwan Singh Negi enlisted in the 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles of the British Indian Army in 1902. His regiment was part of the Garhwal Brigade, which later became famous for its valor in World War I.

World War I: Deployment to the Western Front

When World War I broke out in 1914, Indian troops were rapidly deployed to Europe. The 39th Garhwal Rifles were sent to France as part of the Indian Corps. They fought in some of the most brutal battles of the early war, including:

• The First Battle of Ypres (1914)
• The Battle of Neuve Chapelle (March 1915)
• The Battle of Festubert (November 1914 & May 1915)

It was during the Battle of Festubert that Negi displayed extraordinary courage.

The Victoria Cross Action

The Battle of Festubert

On the night of November 23-24, 1914, near Festubert, France, the German forces launched a fierce attack on British and Indian positions. The Garhwal Rifles were heavily outnumbered, and the enemy broke through their trenches.

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Timeframe and Action

Night of Nov 23-24	German forces breach British-Indian trenches
Initial Wounding	Negi injured in head and arm but continues fighting
Counterattack	Leads charge to retake lost trenches
Outcome	Successfully repels German forces

Negi’s Heroic Actions

Despite being wounded in the head and arm, Rifleman Darwan Singh Negi led a counterattack. His Victoria Cross citation describes his actions:

"For great gallantry on the night of the 23rd–24th November, near Festubert, France, when the Germans had broken through our trenches, and Rifleman Negi, one of the few survivors, led a counter-attack which succeeded in driving them back. Though wounded in the head and arm, he continued to fight and refused to leave the field until the enemy was repulsed."

His leadership and bravery helped reclaim the lost trenches, saving many lives.

Award of the Victoria Cross

On December 5, 1914, King George V personally awarded Negi the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace. He was among the first Indian soldiers to receive this honor in World War I, alongside Khudadad Khan (VC).

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Detail Information

Date of Award	December 5, 1914
Presented by	King George V at Buckingham Palace
Significance	One of the first Indian VC recipients of WWI

Later Military Service and Life After War

Continued Service in the Army

After recovering from his wounds, Darwan Singh Negi continued to serve in the Garhwal Rifles. He was promoted to Havaldar and later Subedar.

Post-War Life

After retiring from the army, he returned to his village in Kafarteer. Despite his fame, he lived a quiet life, respected by his community.

Death and Legacy

Darwan Singh Negi passed away on June 24, 1950, at the age of 69. He was buried in his ancestral village.

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Memorials and Honors

Statues and Memorials

• Victoria Cross Memorial, London – His name is inscribed among the VC recipients.
• Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre, Lansdowne – A memorial honors his bravery.

Commemorative Stamps and Publications

• India Post issued a stamp in his honor.
• His story is featured in books on Indian Victoria Cross recipients.

Military Honors

• Victoria Cross (1914)
• 1914 Star (with "Mons" clasp)
• British War Medal
• Victory Medal

Conclusion

Darwan Singh Negi’s courage at Festubert remains a symbol of the immense contribution of Indian soldiers in World War I. His Victoria Cross stands as a testament to his bravery, leadership, and sacrifice. Today, he is remembered as a national hero in India and a legendary figure in the Garhwal Rifles.

His legacy continues to inspire future generations of soldiers and civilians alike, reminding us of the extraordinary valor of those who fought in the Great War.