b. 21/04/1895 Manjood, India. d. 10/03/1915 Neuve Chapelle, France.
Gobar Singh Negi (1895-1915) whose name is sometimes written as Gabbar Singh Negi, was born on 19th October 1894 at Manjood Village, near Chamba, Tehri District, Uttaranchal, India. His date of birth has varied in different sources being also listed as 7th October 1893 and 21st April 1895. His father was Badri Singh Negi, but little else is known about his family. It is known he married, had children and his wife was still alive in 1970.
Gobar Singh Negi VC
Gobar enlisted with the 2/39th Garhwal Rifles on 19th October 1912 and went to France with his unit when the war broke out in 1914. On 10th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, during an attack on the German position Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement.
Gobar Singh Negi’s body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial on Panel 32-33. His VC was sent to the India Office on 28th July 1915.
In addition to his VC, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star with Mons clasp, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. The VC was acquired by the Officer’s Mess, 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles and a duplicate was given to Gobar’s widow. The location of the original is now not known.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: NO KNOWN GRAVE – ON NEUVE CHAPPELLE MEMORIAL.
