Providing financial medical and community aid to alleviate hardship and distress among Gurkha ex-servicemen of the British Crown
Naik Gaganbahdur
One of 16 children, Naik Gaganbahdur enlisted when he was just 15. He fought in Iraq and north Africa before sailing north to Italy for the effort to seize Rome. As part of the crucial allied attack on the well defended Gustav line, for 12 straight days Naik Gaganbahadur assaulted the hill top fort at Cassino.
With just 28 rounds per man, ammunition soon ran out and hand to hand combat ensued. In desperate circumstances, Naik Gaganbahadur killed eight of the enemy. He and his company earned 26 medals for bravery. Naik Gaganbahdur is quick to remember the fallen, especially two men from his village. As well as his campaign medals which he proudly wears on his chest, a bullet wound in his right thigh is a lasting reminder of his service at Cassino.
At the end of the War, Naik Gaganbahadur returned to eke out a living as a subsistence farmer in a village outside Syangja in west Nepal. With a small patch of earth and a humble menagerie of animals, he has endeavoured to provide for his family. In 1998, his house was destroyed by a devastating landslide. Thanks to a hardship grant from the Trust, he was able to rebuild the family home.
Although he owns a modest parcel of land and small menagerie of animals, he is absolutely reliant on a welfare pension for survival.
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Rifleman Nanasing Thapa MM travelled to India to enlist in 1942. He saw heavy fighting as part of the Allies' drive nort...
Rifleman Nanasing Thapa MM - Previous
