(from left to right)

Flight Sergeant Lincoln Orville Lynch DFM,
No 102 Sqn RAF.
Flight Sergeant Lynch was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his determination and great skill as an Air Gunner in bombing sorties over Germany during the Second World War. These sorties often encountered heavy opposition from German fighters. Such was Sergeant Lynch's ability, that he shot down an enemy fighter during his very first sortie.

Colour Sergeant Major Tallata Kanjarga MM,
Royal West African Frontier Force.
Colour Sergeant Major Kanjarga was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the East African Campaign at Bulo Erillo (in the former Italian Somaliland) on the 13th February 1941. On that day his battalion was attacked by Italian armoured cars. Despite the danger to himself, Colour Sergeant Major Kanjarga stood his ground and opened fire on one of the armoured cars until he was knocked over. He then continued his attack by thrusting his bayonet through the open visor of the vehicle. His courage was an inspiration to his men and helped them to successfully resist the attack.

Lieutenant Nilakanta Krishnan DSC,
RIN.
Lieutenant Krishnan was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery during the capture of Abadan in the Persian Gulf. HMIS 'Investigator', a tug with a crew of twelve Indian ratings, was unexpectedly attacked by an enemy tug. Lieutenant Krishnan led a boarding party on to the enemy vessel and although faced with superior numbers and some determined resistance, the boarding party were able to force the surrender of the enemy vessel.

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War's Youngest VC Gets Rousing Reception On Return To India

Personnel serving in the British Army historically have been entitled to the same gallantry awards, irrespective of their ethnic origins. However, personnel serving in the Indian and Colonial forces have not always been eligible for the same entitlements. For example, Indian soldiers were ineligible for the Victoria Cross (VC) until 1911; prior to that date, they were awarded the Indian Order of Merit for acts of conspicuous gallantry.

For a full list of those people from populations now represented in the UK’s ethnic minority communities who have received the VC, together with selected citations, click here. Although they are mainly from the Army, many medals have been awarded to Navy and Air Force personnel. For instance, Royal Indian Navy personnel were awarded 8 Distinguished Service Crosses (DSCs), 23 Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs), and 62 Mentions in Despatches for the Burma campaign alone. Merchant Navy personnel also took their share of awards for heroism.

Members of the RAF drawn from the Commonwealth and Empire during the Second World War served on an identical basis to their European counterparts and were eligible for the full range of gallantry medals. One Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 21 Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC), one Bar to the DFC, two Air Force Crosses (AFC) and 45 Mentions in Despatches were awarded to officers and airmen of the fledgling Indian Air Force in the period up to November 1946.