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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 599

(x) A rare post-war Malaya operations M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant T. Thapa, 2nd Battalion, 2nd (King Edward VII's Own) Gurkha Rifles

An 'ambush group' Bren gunner, he stalked - and killed - one terrorist after traversing 300 yards of open ground; just a few days later, he took-out three more, the last of them in a head-on charge


Military Medal, E.II.R. (21144704 Rfn. Tikaram Thapa 2 GR.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (21144704 Rfn. Tikaram Thapa 2 GR.); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula (21144704 Sgt. Tikaram Thapa MM 2/2 GR.), unofficial rivets between clasps to this last, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 29 June 1954:

'In recognisiton of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya, 1st July - 31st December 1953.'

The original recommendation states:

'In early July an operation was mounted in the Sungei Siput area, Perak, to eliminate a party of Communist Terrorists suspected of drawing supplied from a certain area.

Thapa was one of an ambush group which had taken up its position before dawn at the edge of some tapioca cultivations, adjoining the jungle. Almost eleven hours later two armes Communist Terrorists approached from the jungle. They entered the jungle about 300 yards from the ambush position.

A plan was immediately made to cut off the enemy on their return. This necessitated placing men in position 300 yards from the original ambush. The interveneing ground was open tapioca, and being worked at the time by at least twelve Chinese cultivators. The new position could therefore only be reached observed by making use of the light cover offered by the shallow furrow between the lines of tapioca.

Rfn Thapa, armed with a Bren gun, and accompanied by one other man, set off to intercept the Communists' line of withdrawal. He crawled on his stomach, carrying his Bren gun, and after 45 minutes of this progress, reached the track used by the Communists unobserved. Here one of the two Communists was intercepted.

Rfn Thapa shot him dead.

On a later occasion Rfn Thapa was again the Bren gunner in an ambush covering a track known to be used by the terrorists.

Three Communist terrorists entered the ambush. On opening fire, two of the enemy dropped dead. The third terrorist dived for cover into a patch of belukar. Immediately, Rfn Thapa picked up his Bren gun and ran towards the place where this terrorist had disappeared. At his approach, the terrorist rose to his feet and attempted to throw a grenade, but a burst from the Bren gun killed him before he could do so.

Throughout the operation, Rfn Thapa showed unflagging enthusiasm and determination. In these two instances success was due to his high standard of fieldcraft, personal courage and initiative.

Tikaram Thapa was born in 1930 and was engaged with the Gurkha Rifles on 13 February 1948. Thapa served in Malaya from November 1950-September 1953 (Medal & clasp), and returned for further tours in the region, March 1956-May 1958, January 1959-April 1961, November 1961-May 1962 and March-May 1963 (Medal & 2 clasps). Upon his discharge on 5 February 1966 with 'Exemplary' conduct, his testimonial stated:

'Sgt Tikaram has completed 18 years' loyal and devoted service in the Battalion. He is a courageous soldier who has seen active service in Malaya and Sarawak. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in Malaya in 1953.

He has always set highest example to those junior to him in barracks and in the field. His departure on a well-earned pension will be a loss to this battalion.'

Sold with copied service record.


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Sold for
£2,000