All attempts to revive the 85-year-old soldier failed and he passed away at the army's Research and Referral Hospital, his grandson Sukhdev Singh told AFP.

Singh was diagnosed with prostate cancer on July 5 and underwent surgery the same month but the disease spread to his bones and other organs later, doctors said.

"He never complained of his pains and went with the dignity of a soldier," a doctor told AFP. He is survived by two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Former World War II veterans, soldiers and officials thronged the hospital for a military farewell, witnesses said, as the defence ministry said Singh would be cremated with full military honours.

"His outstanding bravery, devotion to duty and his setting of a wonderful example was an inspiration to all," it said in a statement.

Military sources said top commanders, British diplomats and politicians would attend the funeral Tuesday in Singh's home town of Palra, 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the Indian capital.

Singh received the medal after seeing action in Burma's savagely-contested Kaladan Valley, where he saved his gun after fighting off Japanese soldiers armed only with the ramrod.

Singh, who held the honorary rank of captain and drew a service pension, was the only gunner in India's military history to win one of the 1,355 Victoria Crosses which have been awarded.

It is the highest gallantry award for British and Commonwealth forces. Most of the Crosses, all made from the bronze of Russian cannons captured in the Crimean War, have been awarded posthumously.

Crowds of ex-soldiers converged on Singh's residence at Palra, where he is fondly called "VC Sahib," his grandson said.

After independence in 1947 the Victoria Cross was replaced in India with the Param Vir Chakra and in Pakistan with the Nishan-i-Haider.

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