Service No : IC-5380

Place of birth : Bangalore (Kar)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Captain

Unit : 5 Fd Regt

Arm/Regt : The Regiment of Artillery

Martyrdom : November 18, 1962

Captain John Albert Dalby

Capt John Albert Dalby hailed from Bangalore in Karnataka, where his family resided at Willington street of Bangaore at that time. He belonged to an Ango-Indian family and had two sisters Leonie & Margarette and a brother Peter as his siblings. He did his schooling from St Joseph's Boys' High School at Bangalore. Eldest among four siblings, he was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his younger days and consequently joined the Joint Services Wing (JSW, subsequently known as NDA) course. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant into 5 Field Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery, the important combat arm of the Indian Army, known for its field guns, howitzers, mortars and other weaponry. 

 

After serving for sometime, he got married to Ms June and the couple had two daughters. Very early in his service career, Capt John Albert Dalby got the opportunity to get involved in active operations. As the war clouds gathered in NEFA(North Eastern Frontier Agency) the present day Arunachal Pradesh, Capt Dalby's unit got deployed along the Chinese border to repulse any enemy attack. 

 

Indo-China War : 16-18 Nov 1962

 

During the 1962 Indo-China war, Capt Dalby's unit 5 Fd Regt was initially deployed in Tawang area. By third week of Oct 1962, India had already faced many reverses in the war and many organizational changes were made to deal with the situation. 62 Infantry Brigade under the command of Brig Hoshiar Singh was given responsibility of guarding Se-la pass and 65 Infantry Brigade was tasked to defend area around Dirang Dzong the HQs of 4 Division. Consequently 5 Fd Regt under the command of Lt Col Budhwar less its two batteries took charge by 27 Oct 1962. 5 Fd Regt was functioning under the operational control of 62 Inf Bde deployed at Se-La. 5 Fd Regt had 87 Fd Battery under Maj Brahm Sat with 25-pounders, C-Troop 34 Heavy Mortar Battery with 4.2 Inch mortars and 2 Derajat Mountain Battery with 3.7 Inch howitzers. Capt Dalby was working with 2 Derajat Battery operating the howitzers. 

 

In order to stop the advance of the Chinese troops into Se-La flanks, varous units got deployed at strategic locations. 4 Garhwal got deployed at Nuranang ahead of Bridge 3 location. Capt Dalby along with his 2 Derajat Mountain Battery was deployed to provide the fire power with its 3.7 inch howitzers. Later the 25 pounder guns too were deployed to beef up the defenses. On 17 Nov 1962, Chinese troops attacked 4 Garhwal positions in multiple waves. Capt Dalby and his comrades responded aggressively by pounding Chinese positions with accurate firing. The initial waves of Chinese attacks did not get much success as the Indian soldiers though outnumbered fought with great courage. Thereafter the Chinese forces focused their attack on Indian artillery gun positions to blunt the Indian artillery attack. During this heavy exchange of fire Capt Dalby got seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.

 

Capt Dalby, during the operation showed outstanding gallantry in the face of the enemy with utter disregard to his personal safety. Capt John Albert Dalby was a valiant soldier and fine officer, who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty. Capt John Albert Dalby is survived by his daughter Mrs Cheryl M Soggee, who is now settled in Australia. 

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7 Comments
  • GIRIDHARILAL MUKHERJEE

    2021 at 10:53 am Reply

    Dear Hero, Thank you so much for your hard work and bravery. We appreciate your selfless service towards the nation and we pray for your safe return, You are my real hero…no one is greater than you. Thank you so much Thank you so much

    • Priyansh ketan shah

      2021 at 5:52 pm

      Sir you have given us a peaceful sleep when you are awake for protecting our borders. Thank you is not enough. To leave your near and dear ones alone we pray you l
      Regards priyansh shah

  • Shailesh Patil

    2021 at 10:01 am Reply

    Thank you for your dedication. For Your Service. For Your Sacrifice. Your hard work and long hours and time away from family is difficult but you are appreciated .our Country needs Soldiers like you.

  • Shradha Raikar

    2021 at 10:04 am Reply

    Sir because of heroes like you we live our life peacefully at home. Your sacrifice will never go in vain. we pray for the good health of your family.

    Regards
    Shradha Raikar

  • Abhijeet Kumar

    2021 at 10:31 am Reply

    Tribute to Captain John Albert Dalby .

    1962 Sino-Indian conflict was something which has imprinted in the books of History for the bravery and courage of our Indian Soldiers, who fought a full fledged war with China within 5 years after Independence. Even today when I read the story of valour and bravery of our Indian Army Soldiers, it gives me goosebumps.

    The Selfless Service and Contribution of Caption Dalby will always be remembered and Nation will remain indebted to the Brave Warrior.

    My message is for the family (Daughter) of Caption Dalby, I really want to Thank you. Your father has done a great job for the Country.

    I understand that you father was not there to play with you during your childhood, neither he was there to give you his shoulder of support. But always do remember he was fighting for a cause and was fighting for the nation. And the country was depended on his shoulder.
    Thank you so much for your contribution.
    Jai Hind

  • Paridhi Goyal

    2022 at 11:33 am Reply

    Thank you so much for your sacrifice for us. You fight on the border so that we can sleep safely at our homes. Staying away from our homes, away from our family is very difficult, but you do this so that we all can live safely with our families. You are great. I salute all the martyred soldiers who gave up their lives to protect us.

    Thank you once again

    Paridhi Goyal
    Class – 9C
    School – New Horizon Gurukul

  • Aaron K Mathew

    2022 at 11:18 pm Reply

    I wholeheartedly thank you for your selfless service to the nation. It is because of valiant soldiers like you that we can live peacefully in this country. You left your life behind and went to fight for our nation. We will never forget the brave sacrifices of all the martyrs of our nation.
    Jai Bharat!

    ⬜⬜⬜⬜

    Aaron Kuruvilla Marhew
    Class 10 C,
    New Horizon Gurukul,
    Bangalore

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