Kanikasamy
| 2/LT R Kanikasamy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Megalathur, Thanjore District, Tamilnadu, India |
| Died | April 1, 1948 (aged 28) |
| Buried at | Poonch |
| Allegiance |
 India |
| Service/branch | Indian Army |
| Rank | 2/LT |
| Battles/wars | During World War II he served with 44 Fd Pk Company in Sudan, Gedaref, Keran, Asmara, Masaava (Egypt), Northern Iraq, Imphal, Tiddim and Sourabaya, Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 |
| Awards | VIR CHAKRA (1947), Defence Medal, War Medal(1939-45), G Star(1939-45), Africa Star (1942-45), Burma Star(1945), Indian Good Service Medal (1947), Independence Medal (1947) |
2/LT R Kanikasamy was an Indian war hero.
Early life
2/LT R Kanikasamy was born on 20 Feb 1920. He served in the Army Engineering Division and his Army Personnel number was SS-14240. 2/LT R Kanikasamy was enrolled in Queen Victoria’s Own Madras Sapper on 02 Mar 1938. During World War II he served with 44 Fd Pk Company in Sudan, Gedaref, Keran, Asmara, Masaava(Egypt), Northern Iraq, Imphal, Tiddim and Sourabaya.
On 01 Nov 44, he was promoted to Jamedar (the then Viceroy Commissioned Officer) and posted to Depot Battalion on 15 Aug 1945. Subsequently he was posted to 14 Field Company during 1947-48 J&K Operations. 14 Field Company was serving under Headquarters J&K Division Engineers and the JCO was attached to 1 (PARA) Battalion, the KUMAON Regiment fir assisting in Engineer Tasks.
The VCO was granted SSRC on 15 DEC 1947 and posted to 757 Plant Platoon.
While clearing a nearby minefield at Picquent No 2(MR 196730) he was killed by enemy automatic firing.
Grave
The "Grave" of 2/LT R Kanikasamy is situated in the Engineer Lines POONCH and also his name and other particulars have been engraved on the tomb stone.
Madras Sappers Museum, Bangalore
On 28 Sep 1987 Smt. Sammanasu Mary Victoria w/o Late 2/LT R Kanikasamy donated his original "Vir Chakra" and other medals to the Bangalore Group Museum. Now it is kept in Centre Quarter Guard. [1]
Family
He is survived by his wife Smt. Sammanasu Mary Victoria (85), two children, son K. Joseph and daughter Kanickaimary Jeremiah, seven grand children and thirteen great grand children.