Captain Ghale was born in Barabak Village, Gorkha District, Nepal on the 1st July 1922 and joined the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in 1936. He joined the 2nd Battalion as a rifleman in 1937. His Victoria Cross action took place over a three day period between 24th-27th May 1943, fighting the Japanese in Burma. The award of the VC was announced in the London Gazette on 30th September 1943.

The action in which he won his VC was fought in the final phase of 17th Indian Division's withdrawal and life-and-death struggle with the Japanese 33rd Division on the Tiddim Road on May 27, 1943. If their line was to be held against sustained Japanese pressure, it was essential for 2/5th Gurkhas to clear the enemy from positions overlooking their own. Two assaults on Basha East Hill, the key to the Japanese position, had failed. Casualties among the platoon commanders had been so heavy that Gaje was made an acting havildar in command of a platoon of D Company and led it in the third assault.

The only practicable approach to the platoon's objective was along a bare knife-edge spur about 15ft wide with steep drops either side, leading to concealed Japanese positions on the actual hill from which machinegun and mortar fire could be brought to bear.

While preparing to attack, Gaje's platoon came under heavy motor fire, but he rallied his men and led them forward. They soon faced withering defensive fire, and Gaje was wounded in the arm, chest and leg by a Japanese grenade. Paying no heed either to his wounds nor the intensity of Japanese fire, he closed with the enemy and bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued, which is best described in the words of the citation for his VC.

The Havildar dominated the fight by his outstanding example, dauntless courage and superb leadership. Hurling hand grenades and covered in blood from his own neglected wounds, he led assault after assault encouraging his men by shouting the Gurkha battle-cry 'Ayo Gurkhali' (The Gurkhas are upon you'). Spurred on by the irrestibile will of their leader to win, the platoon stormed and carried the hill by a magnificent effort and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese. Gaje then held the hard-won position still under heavy fire. It was only when the Japanese pressure eased that he went to the regimental aid post to have his wounds dressed, and then only when ordered to do so by an officer.

Gaje was promoted Jamadar in October 1943. His VC was presented to him by the Viceroy, Field Marshall Lord Wavell in 1944, and he was a member of his regiment's contingent at the Victory Parade in London. He maintained the closest links with his former British officers of the 5th Gurkhas, and visited England on a number of occasions under the auspices of the VC & GC Association. His most recent visit was in the Autumn of 1990.

Medal entitlement of Captain Gaju Ghale - 5th Gurkha Rifles

• Victoria Cross
• India General Service Medal - ( 1936-39 ) clasp "North West Frontier 1936-37"
• 1939 - 45 Star
• Burma Star
• India Service Medal - ( 1939-45 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977