Gabar Singh Negi was born in Manjood village, Uttarakhand, in Northern India. He was 21 years old and a Rifleman in the 2/39th Garhwal Rifles when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France. His bravery led to his death.
Here is his regimental badge as sadly we have no picture of him.
"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."
Citation
His name is recorded on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial - as Gobar Sing Negi
The Gabar Singh Negi fair is organised annually in Chamba (Tehri) in his memory.
In 1971, the Garhwal Regiment adopted the Fair, to give it the much-needed boost. A memorial was constructed and with the inclusion of army traditions in the ceremonies, the Gabar Negi fair started attracting villagers from far and near to pay their homage to this brave soldier.
Every year, on April 20th /21st (depending on the Hindu calendar), the area around the Negi Memorial in Chamba comes alive with many kiosks being set up. This is the only fair of its kind in the state.
The other feature of the fair is the recruitment rally conducted by the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre. "The villagers, specially the youths, attend this fair because of the recruitment rally," states Kunwar Prasoon, writer.
"The saga of Negi's bravery continues to inspire the youth from this part of the world to join the Army."
Kunwar Prasoon, Writer