John Dalvi

Brigadier John Parashuram Dalvi (3 July 1920 – October 1974) was an Indian Army officer. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, he was the commander of the Indian 7th Brigade, which was destroyed, leading Dalvi to be captured by the People's Liberation Army on 22 October 1962. Dalvi was born on 3 July 1920 in Basra, Iraq where his father was serving with the British administration. He returned to India in 1923 and studied at St. Mary's High School, Bombay. He graduated and joined to study under the Jesuits at St. Xavier's College, Bombay. In 1940 with the outbreak of World War II he joined the British Indian Army. Dalvi was commissioned into the Baluch Regiment on 22 February 1942, was promoted war-substantive lieutenant on 1 October, and was promoted substantive lieutenant on 22 August 1943. To the end of World War II he served with the regiment's 5th Battalion. He took part in Field Marshal Sir William Slim's pursuit of Japanese Army. From October 1944 to March 1945 he saw fighting with 19th Indian Division notably at the Crossing of the Irrawaddy. For his services he was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service. In 1945 he was selected to join the staff of General Sir Montagu Stopford, GOC XXXIII Corps and later GOC-in-C of 12th Army Burma. He ended the war a temporary captain. In 1947 he was posted as instructor to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was then moved to 5 Gorkha Rifles as 2nd in command. In 1949 Dalvi was attached with Brigade of the Guards. In 1950, he was selected for Staff College, which he graduated in 1951. He then commanded the 4th Battalion, Brigade of the Guards and later 2nd Guards. Dalvi was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 13 October 1957. On 2 October 1960 he was promoted acting Brigadier, and appointed Brigadier Administration to XV Corps. In January 1962, he was given the Command of 7th Infantry Brigade in NEFA, with promotion to colonel on 15 March. Dalvi fought in the Sino-Indian War, and was taken Prisoner of War on 22 October 1962; held captive by the Chinese for seven months, he was repatriated in May 1963.