This Day in History: 1943-05-29

Captain Christopher Arumainayagam of the Indian Army Medical Corps and his orderly were drowned at Misrata, Libya. This cheerful, brave and efficient officer had joined the 1st Battalion in Cyprus as the Regimental Medical Officer and in a short period had endeared himself to all ranks . Shortly before his death he had received an immediate award of the Military Cross for his outstanding services at Wadi Akarit.  A brother officer wrote ‘We shall always remember his unselfish gallantry in ministering to our wounded under fire.  He was usually found where the fire was hottest.’  He was 29 when he died.  He is buried in the Tripoli War Cemetery.