Gurkha Heroes: Tales of the Nepali Victoria Cross Recipients
Behind the legendary battle cry “Aayo Gurkhali” (The Gurkhas are coming) lie some of the most extraordinary acts of individual valour in military history. Since the Victoria Cross was established in 1856, 26 medals have been awarded to men serving within Gurkha regiments, including 13 native Nepali soldiers who achieved the seemingly impossible on the battlefield. Here are their stories.
The Incredible Nepali Victoria Cross Recipients
RIFLEMAN KULBIR THAPA
2nd Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Kulbir Thapa became the first Nepali Gurkha to receive the Victoria Cross for his incredible selflessness and bravery at Fauquissart, France, during World War I on September 25, 1915.
During an attack on the German frontline, Kulbir was wounded but managed to break through the enemy wire. He found a badly injured soldier from the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment behind the German trench. Though the British soldier urged Kulbir to save himself, he refused to leave his side. Kulbir stayed with the man all day and night in the open mud. Early the next morning, under dense fog, he carried the wounded man safely through the German wire. Not content with saving one life, Kulbir immediately risked his life again under heavy fire to rescue two wounded Gurkha comrades, one after the other.
RIFLEMAN KARANBAHADUR RANA
2nd Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana was awarded the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous bravery and resourcefulness during the Palestine Campaign of World War I at El Kefr, Egypt, on April 10, 1918.
During a fierce engagement, Karanbahadur’s platoon was pinned down by intense, direct fire from an enemy machine-gun detachment, which had inflicted heavy casualties. Alongside a comrade, Karanbahadur pushed forward under blistering fire to man a Lewis gun. His companion was killed almost instantly, but Karanbahadur took total control of the weapon alone. Facing a storm of enemy bullets, he calmly pushed forward, destroyed the crew of the enemy machine gun, and then turned his weapon on the retreating enemy infantry. His decisive actions and accurate fire totally eliminated the threat, allowing his platoon to advance and secure the objective.
SUBEDAR LALBAHADUR THAPA
1st Battalion, 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)
Subedar (then Havildar) Lalbahadur Thapa received the Victoria Cross for his brilliant tactical leadership and unmatched ferocity at Rasa-es-Zouai, Tunisia, during the North African Campaign on April 5, 1943.
Tasked with capturing a heavily fortified pathway guarding a vital mountain pass, Lalbahadur led his platoon up a narrow, boulder-strewn defile under intense machine-gun and mortar fire. Realising his men were caught in a death trap, he rushed forward ahead of his platoon. Armed only with his kukri and a pistol, he single-handedly stormed two consecutive enemy machine-gun posts, killing the crews. He then continued up the steep cliff, killing two more enemy soldiers with his kukri to secure the top of the feature. His extraordinary solo assault cleared the pathway, allowing his battalion to seize the entire ridge line completely.
HAVILDAR GAJE GHALE
5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
Havildar Gaje Ghale received the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage and leadership during a battle in the Chin Hills of Burma (now Myanmar) on May 27, 1943.
Leading a young and inexperienced platoon, he was tasked with capturing a key Japanese position on Basha East Hill. Despite a previous failed assault and facing intense machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire, he rallied his men and led the charge. He was severely wounded by a hand grenade, suffering injuries to his chest, arm, and leg, but he completely ignored his wounds.
Shouting the Gurkha battle cry, he continued to lead assault after assault, throwing grenades and inspiring his men through a bitter hand-to-hand struggle until the position was successfully captured. Even after the objective was secured, he refused to go to the Regimental Aid Post until he was ordered to do so and was certain the position was consolidated. His citation praised his “dauntless courage and superb leadership” under the most trying conditions.
RIFLEMAN GANJU LAMA
7th Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Ganju Lama received the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage and determination during a tank attack near Ningthoukhong, Manipur, India, on June 12, 1944, during the Burma Campaign.
At just 19 years old, Ganju Lama was a gunner on a tank. When three Japanese tanks hit his company, he single-handedly crawled through intense fire to man his anti-tank gun. Despite a fractured wrist and severe wounds to his hand and leg from exploding shells, he managed to fire his weapon. He successfully knocked out two of the enemy tanks before the third one withdrew. He then went on to silence a machine-gun post that was causing casualties, and all this was done while refusing medical attention until he was finished. His actions were a significant factor in his company maintaining its position and ultimately led to a successful counterattack.
RIFLEMAN TULBAHADUR PUN
6th Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun received the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions during the Burma Campaign on June 23, 1944.
During a fierce battle on the railway bridge at Mogaung, his platoon was tasked with assaulting a heavily fortified enemy position. The advance was immediately met with a storm of fire that killed or wounded all members of his section except for him and two others. The two survivors were so severely wounded that they couldn’t advance.
Ignoring the intense machine-gun fire from the enemy, Tulbahadur Pun picked up the Bren gun from his fallen comrade and charged forward alone. He reached the enemy bunker and, despite being the sole target, killed three of the Japanese soldiers and captured the position. His single-handed bravery enabled the rest of his platoon to press their attack, ultimately securing the entire position. His selfless courage and determination under extreme conditions were instrumental in the success of the assault.
JEMADAR (acting Subedar) NETRABAHADUR THAPA
5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
Jemadar (acting Subedar) Netrabahadur Thapa was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery and leadership on June 25-26, 1944, during the battle for the strategic hilltop of Water Piquet in Burma.
Leading his platoon, he was tasked with capturing a key Japanese position. The assault was met with intense machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire, causing heavy casualties. Despite the overwhelming firepower and the death of his second-in-command, Netrabahadur Thapa rallied his men and personally led the charge. He was wounded in the assault but continued to fight, single-handedly killing three Japanese soldiers in a close-quarters battle.
Although the position was briefly secured, a ferocious Japanese counter-attack forced a withdrawal. During the retreat, Netrabahadur Thapa held the position alone, firing at the enemy and using grenades to provide cover for his men to escape. His final act of courage was to hold off the advancing Japanese with his last grenade before being killed. His selfless sacrifice and refusal to retreat allowed the remainder of his platoon to withdraw safely.
RIFLEMAN (acting Naik) AGANSING RAI
5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
Rifleman (acting Naik) Agansing Rai was awarded the Victoria Cross for his incredible bravery and leadership during a battle in Burma on June 26, 1944.
His company was ordered to recapture two key enemy posts, “Mortar Bluff” and “Water Piquet,” which had been taken by a superior Japanese force. When the company was pinned down by heavy fire, Agansing Rai, at the head of his section, took decisive action.
Ignoring the intense machine-gun fire, he led a charge on the first position, personally killing three of the four crew members. His cool act of bravery inspired his men to overrun the entire post. He then led a further attack on a 37mm gun position, killing three more of the enemy crew. Finally, in a solo act of courage, he advanced alone on an isolated bunker, where he killed all four occupants with a grenade and his sub-machine gun.
His magnificent display of initiative and complete disregard for his own safety so demoralised the enemy that they fled, allowing his company to recapture both positions and secure a vital line of communication
RIFLEMAN SHER BAHADUR THAPA
1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Sher Bahadur Thapa was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his immense gallantry and tragic self-sacrifice at San Marino, Italy, during World War II on September 18, 1944.
When his company encountered devastating machine-gun fire on a ridge line, Sher Bahadur and his section commander charged forward to silence the position. After his commander was badly wounded, Sher Bahadur advanced alone to the crest of the ridge. Under a hail of bullets, he put the enemy gunner out of action and held the exposed position single-handedly. He kept firing into the enemy lines, successfully covering his battalion’s withdrawal. Running low on ammunition, he ignored orders to retreat and ran back into the open to rescue wounded comrades lying exposed on the slope. It was while carrying a wounded man back to safety that he was tragically struck down by enemy fire.
RIFLEMAN THAMAN GURUNG
1st Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
Rifleman Thaman Gurung was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his supreme courage and self-sacrifice at Monte San Bartolo, Italy, during World War II on November 10, 1944.
Serving as a scout, Thaman was leading a patrol up an open hillside when he spotted enemy positions preparing to ambush his platoon. Acting instantly to save his comrades, he rushed forward into the open and opened fire, completely taking the enemy by surprise and allowing his patrol to take cover. When his section was ordered to withdraw, Thaman stayed behind on the exposed ridge, firing his Tommy gun at point-blank range to keep the enemy pinned down. When he ran out of ammunition, he openly threw hand grenades until his platoon could safely retreat. He was killed just moments later, having willingly given his life to ensure every single one of his comrades made it back alive.
RIFLEMAN BHANBHAGTA GURUNG
2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)
Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung received the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery during a battle in Burma on March 5, 1945.
During the assault on a Japanese-held hill, his company was pinned down by a concealed machine gun. Despite suffering injuries from a grenade, Bhanbhagta Gurung single-handedly charged the position. He tossed two grenades into the bunker, and when one failed to explode, he charged forward again. He then entered the bunker and, in a fierce hand-to-hand fight with his bayonet, killed all of its occupants.
His courage inspired his entire section to continue the attack. He then went on to clear three more bunkers on his own, facing heavy fire each time. With the enemy position finally silenced, the entire company was able to advance. His citation praised his “supreme courage and magnificent determination” in the face of overwhelming odds
RIFLEMAN LACHHIMAN GURUNG
8th Gurkha Rifles
Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung received the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage and determination during the Burma Campaign on May 12-13, 1945.
He was a Gurkha soldier defending a forward position of his platoon at Taungdaw, Burma, when it came under a fierce Japanese attack. The enemy launched a massive assault with grenades and heavy machine-gun fire. Two grenades landed in his trench. Lachhiman Gurung picked up one and threw it back, but the second one exploded in his hand, severing his fingers, shattering his right arm, and blinding him in one eye.
Despite his horrific injuries, he refused to abandon his post. Using his uninjured left arm, he continued to fight with his rifle, reloading it and firing for four hours. He single-handedly held off the enemy advance, killing 31 Japanese soldiers and inspiring his fellow Gurkhas to fight on. His incredible act of bravery was instrumental in preventing the Japanese from overrunning the position.
CAPTAIN RAMBAHADUR LIMBU
10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Captain (then Lance Corporal) Rambahadur Limbu was awarded the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery during the Borneo Confrontation in Sarawak, Malaysia, on November 21, 1965.
While leading an advance on a strong enemy position atop a sheer hill, Rambahadur rushed a trench and killed two sentries, alerting the enemy. A ferocious firefight erupted, and two of his section members were seriously wounded in the open. Rambahadur crawled forward under intense, point-blank automatic fire to reach his fallen comrades. He dragged the first man to safety, then raced back across the bullet-swept ground into a hail of explosions to rescue the second. Finally, he returned a third time to retrieve their abandoned weapon. For over an hour, he held the forward line completely alone, guiding his platoon’s fire until the enemy forces broke and fled.