"His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on No. 510, Lance-Naik Lala, 41st Dogras, Indian Army for most conspicuous bravery. Lala was 33 years old... when he dragged a British officer to a shelter and bandaged his wounds. Then, hearing the cries of his adjutant, who was also lying wounded only 100 years from the enemy, he crawled to him; staying with him until nightfall, he used his own clothes to keep him warm. After dark he carried first one man then the other to safety.

"Lala was born in the village of Parol in the district of Hamirpur, Kangra, Punjab, son of Dinga (Maila caste), Zamindar, 1st Grade. He had no schooling, but could read and write Hindi. Joined the Indian Army in 1901 and served in the European War from 1914."

He died from polio on 23 March 1927. His last words were 'We fought true'.