Carrying Their Father’s Honour: The Enduring Legacy of Rambahadur Limbu VC

On 21 November 1965, at just 26 years old, Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu acted with bravery and valour on the battlefield during the Borneo Confrontation.

Serving in the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles, Rambahadur rescued two of his men while under intense enemy fire. After securing their safety he returned to the attack to fight valiantly against enemy soldiers.

“I didn’t think I was going to be shot,” Rambahadur said in an interview with The Mirror. “All I cared about was rescuing my friends.”

Recognition of Courage

For his actions that day, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Rambahadur the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace in April 1966.

Sadly Rambahadur’s wife, Tikamaya Bhega, died shortly before his award was announced in Februay 1966, leaving him with two young sons, Bhakta aged four and Chandra aged five months.

Bhakta and Chandra remained in Singapore whilst their father continued serving. They were cared for by a nanny provided by 10GR until Rambahadur remarried.

Chandra recalls how they were only able to communicate by letter back then and that there would be a four month wait for the next one. But Rambahadur made sure that his sons were well cared for.

The Gurkha legacy

Following in their father’s footsteps, both of Rambahadur’s sons joined the Gurkhas. His eldest son Bhakta, joined 10GR serving alongside his father, and although Rambahadur had aspirations of a more academic future as a lawyer for his youngest son, Chandra used his mathematical brain to join the Queens Gurkha Signals in 1985, the same year as Rambahadur retired.

Chandra recalls how the recruitment process changed between the brothers’ enlistments. “When my brother joined he didn’t have to do any of the physical tests as just having a father as a Gurkha was enough to get you in at the age of 18. By the time I joined I had to undertake the same physical tests as other Nepalis.”

Sadly Bhakta passed away recently. Chandra now lives in the UK with his family following his retirement in 1997.

Caring for a hero

Chandra recalls how GWT took care of his father in his later years. “In 2022 when my father became more sick, the Area Welfare Centre in Damak, which was close to his home, would send a nurse to care for him daily, I will never forget the support they gave and am so thankful.”

Sadly Rambahadur passed away on 22 April 2023, aged 83. Our team were always honoured to be helping him in some way. Our Residential Home in Dharan in the east of Nepal is named in his honour.

Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu VC showed exceptional courage and loyalty during the Borneo Confrontation, actions that continue to inspire today. His legacy lives on through his sons, who chose to serve as Gurkhas like their father, and through the continued respect and support shown to his family by the Gurkha community. Rambahadur’s story stands as a lasting reminder of bravery, service, and the strength of family across generations.