b. 18/12/1912 Keezha Ottivakkam, India. d. 24/02/1944 Mignano, Italy.
DATE AND PLACE OF GC ACTION: 24/02/1944 Mignano, Italy.
Subramanian (1912-1944) was born on 18th December 1912 in the village of Keezha Ottivakkam near Kanchipuram, India, the son of Kannayiram and Thangammal. Little is known of his life before service in the Second World War. It is known that he married Shanbagammal, and he enlisted in the Madras Sappers & Miners on 15th October 1932 and served with the 11 Field Park Company, 4th Indian Division. On 13th February 1943 he was promoted to Subedar and was serving in Italy in 1944.
Subramanian GC
On 24th February 1944, at Mignano, Italy, he was with a party of sappers clearing a path through a minefield. He was leading the way with a mine detector, while Lance Naik Sigamuni was using white tape to mark out the cleared path. Suddenly there was a small explosion; Sigamundi had stood on a mine, which would explode in 3 seconds, and he was now petrified with fear. Without hesitating, he rushed over and pushed him out of the way. Unfortunately, both men were killed by the explosion.
He was recommended for the George Cross by Lieutenant Young who was stood near to the explosion and survived. The recommendation succeeded and he was posthumously awarded the GC on 27th June 1944. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at the Sangro River Memorial, Italy. His medals including his GC, IDSM, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45 are privately held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: ASHES AT SANGRO RIVER MEMORIAL, ITALY.
COLUMN 1.
