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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 600

(x) A particularly fine Borneo operations M.M. pair awarded to Corporal T. Thapa, 1st Battalion, 6th (Queen Elizabeth's Own) Gurkha Rifles

A 22-year old Bren gunner, Thapa held his nerve, waiting for a group of armed Indonesians to close to within ten yards of his position, before opening fire and killing four of them outright

A spectacular firefight with 60 terrorists ensued and it was largely owing to Thapa's gallant work - firing from the hip - that the patrol effected a successful withdrawal


Military Medal, E.II.R. (21151962 Rfn. Tulbahadur Thapa. 6 GR.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (21151962 Rfn. Tulbahadur Thapa. 1/6GR.), mounted as worn, light edge wear from contact, very fine (2)

M.M. London Gazette 14 December 1965:

'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Borneo Territories during the period 24th December 1964-23rd June 1965.'

The original recommendation states:

'Rifleman Tulbahadur Thapa was a member of a patrol involved in a fierce fire fight with the enemy on 31st May 1965. He was armed with a Bren Gun and had been detailed to ambush a track considered to be one of the main approaches to his patrol base.

He was lying in thick secondary jungle with no protection from the sun and had been in position for over five hours. At 1130 hours he saw eight Indonesians, thirty yards away, approaching down the track in an alert manner, their weapons at the ready. His orders were to kill as many of the enemy as possible so he held his fire. When the leading man was no more than ten yards from him he fired two well aimed bursts, killing four.

He did not know until then that the rest of his patrol was surrounded by an estimated sixty Indonesians. A moment later a heavy volume of enemy fire was directed at the position. When the order to withdraw had been given, Rifleman Tulbahadur moved back calmly and deliberately from cover to cover bringing accurate fire to bear on the enemy who had started to close in on his flank, thereby ensuring that the rest of his patrol could break contact without sustaining any casualties.

Then, firing from the hip, he crossed a stream and rejoined his patrol.

Throughout this action Rifleman Tulbahadur displayed courage, presence of mind and self discipline of a high order. He was not only personally responsible for the success of the engagement but also contributed largely to the safe withdrawal of his patrol, the result of skilled fieldcraft and marksmanship.'

His Brigade Commander commented:

'A very brave action by a young Rifleman in which he had displayed considerable presence of mind. This had a decisive effect on the ambush and subsequent withdrawal. Very strong recommended.'

Tulbahadur Thapa was born in 1943 and was engaged with the Gurkha Rifles in November 1960. Having completed his training, he joined the strength of the 1st Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles on 6 October 1961 and was embarked for the United Kingdom at Singapore on 4 May 1962. It had been decided that the 1st Battalion would be the first Gurkha Regiment to serve in the United Kingdom, arriving at Tidworth to join 51 Infantry Brigade in 3 Division of the Strategic Reserve.

The entire Battalion was present at Buckingham Palace in June for the presentation of Pipe Banners from The Queen, with two Field Marshals and fifteen former Gurkha Commanding Officers in attendance. Presentation complete, the Battalion would undertake training in Northern Ireland, Aden, Denmark and Greece.

Such training would have to be cut short however, with the growing operations in Borneo. Thapa himself would be granted 164 days leave from 3 November 1964-5 April 1965, bring swiftly transferred from Calcutta to Hong Kong to arrive in Kuching on 19 May 1965. It would be less than two weeks after his arrival in Borneo that he went into the heat of battle, no doubt with the cry of 'AYO GORKHALI' in winning his M.M.

Upon his discharge on 25 April 1973 with 'Exemplary' conduct, his testimonial stated:

'Thapa has served the British Army loyally and faithfully for 12 years and has reached the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in 1965, and is a good leader of men, handling them firmly and with authority. A hardworking and intelligent man, he will be an asset to any employer.'

Sold with copied service record.



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£10,000