A rotund, smiling and ever-cheerful Gurkha from Western Nepal, Gaje Ghale won his Victoria Cross during a battle in the Chin Hills near Imphal in 1943. He had already distinguished himself in several spirited actions on the North West Frontier of India and during the withdrawal from Burma in 1942.

Gaje was enlisted as a boy into the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in 1936. He joined the 2nd Battalion as a rifleman in 1937 and saw active service during the operations against the ill-famed Faqir of Ipi.

When the Japanese invaded Burma, the 2nd Battalion was sent to Rangoon as part of 48th Indian Infantry Brigade, which joined 17th Indian Division at the Sittang bridge in February 1942. The battalion was lucky to survive the debacle of the bridge's premature demolition. Gaje, by then one of its junior NCOs, was always to be found in the forefront of its actions during the long withdrawal back to India and in the fighting in 1943 in the Chin Hills around Imphal (scene of the major battle in the spring of the following year).

The action in which he won his VC was fought in the final phase of 17th Indian Division's withdrawal and life-and-death struggle with the Japanese 33rd Division on the Tiddim Road on May 27, 1943. If their line was to be held against sustained Japanese pressure, it was essential for 2/5th Gurkhas to clear the enemy from positions overlooking their own. Two assaults on Basha East Hill, the key to the Japanese position, had failed. Casualties among the platoon commanders had been so heavy that Gaje was made an acting havildar in command of a platoon of D Company and led it in the third assault.

The only practicable approach to the platoon's objective was along a bare knife-edge spur about 15ft wide with steep drops either side, leading to concealed Japanese positions on the actual hill from which machinegun and mortar fire could be brought to bear.

While preparing to attack, Gaje's platoon came under heavy mortar fire, but he rallied his men and led them forward. They soon faced withering defensive fire, and Gaje was wounded in the arm, chest and leg by a Japanese grenade. Paying no heed either to his wounds nor the intensity of Japanese fire, he closed with the enemy and bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued, which is best described in the words of the citation for his VC:

"The Havildar dominated the fight of his outstanding example, dauntless courage and superb leadership. Hurling hand grenades and covered in blood from his own neglected wounds, he led assault after assault, encouraging his men by shouting the Gurkha battle-cry 'Ayo Gurkhali' ('The Gurkhas are upon you'). Spurred on by the irresistible will of their leader to win, the platoon stormed and carried the hill by a magnificent effort and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese."

Gaje then held the hard-won position still under heavy fire. It was only when the Japanese pressure eased that he went to the regimental aid post to have his wounds dressed, and then only when ordered to do so by an officer.

Gaje was promoted Jamadar in October 1943. His VC was presented to him by the Viceroy, Field Marshal Lord Wavell, in 1944, and he was a member of his regiment's contingent at the Victory Parade in London. He then went with his battalion to Japan as part of the Commonwealth Occupation Force.

When Indian Independence came in 1947, his regiment stayed with the Indian Army, becoming the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). Gaje became Subedar Major of the 2nd Battalion and served in this capacity with it in the United Nations Force in the Congo in 1962-63. When he retired he was awarded the Star of Nepal, which was presented to him personally by the King of Nepal.

In his retirement, he lived in Almora, Uttar Pradesh. He maintained the closest links with his former British officers of the 5th Gurkhas, and visited England on a number of occasions under the auspices of the VC & GC Association. His most recent visit was in the autumn of 1990. Gaje's death reduces to 27 the number of living holders of the Victoria Cross.

He had no children by his first wife. Of his second marriage there were four sons and five daughters; one of his daughters predeceased him.

Subedar Major Gaje Ghale, VC, was born on July 1, 1922. He died on March 28