VJ Day – 80 Years of Remembering our Gurkha Heroes

Today on 15 August 2025, we commemorate 80 years since Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, effectively bringing the war to an end. On this anniversary, we pay special tribute to the veterans who served in Asia and the Pacific, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.

During the brutal Burma Campaign of World War II, Gurkha soldiers demonstrated extraordinary bravery, with several receiving the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. These acts of valour cemented the Gurkhas’ legendary reputation for courage and sacrifice in the most challenging of combat environments.

Victoria Cross Recipients During the Burma Campaign

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 a gunner on a tank. When his company was hit by three Japanese tanks, 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 huge factor in his company holding its position and ultimately led to a successful counter-attack

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 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 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.