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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 268

Pair: Naik Kharakbahadur Gurung, 3rd Gurkha Rifles

British War Medal 1914-20 (2338 Nk. Kharakbahadur Gurung. 2-3 Grks.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (2338 Nk. Kharakbahadur Gurung, 2-3 Grks.), worn overall, fair (2)

In mid May 1919, the combined depots of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles (2-3GR & 3-3GR), comprising four Gurkha officers and one hundred and ninety six other ranks, reinforced the 2nd Battalion 1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) (2-1GR) at Loe Dakka. During the next month they were engaged in supplying picquets, foraging parties, road building and working at fortifications or water channels - all done in extremely hot weather with frequent dust storms lasting up to two days at a time. From mid-June, as part of 2-1GR, they undertook picquet duties in support of cavalry reconnaissances and fought a series of sharp actions against both Afghan forces and rebel tribesmen. On 23rd July, the Battalion fought a particularly severe action when tribesmen prevented a British battalion from establishing a picquet. The Battalion eventually had to mount a battalion size attack, with artillery support, to dislodge the enemy tribesmen and regain the picquet heights.

Following the signing of a peace agreement, withdrawal from Dakka began in early September 1919. The 2-3GR & 3-3GR draft, now reduced to two Gurkha officers and one hundred and fifty four Gurkha other ranks, attached to 2-1GR departed, described in the 2-1GR diary as "an excellent lot in the field who, under Subadar Damarsing Gurung, had done excellent work.

Those who served with the 2-3GR & 3-3GR draft attached to 2-1GR were eligible to the India General Service Medal 1908 clasp AFGHANISTAN N.W.F. 1919. The following awards were also made to the 2-3GR & 3-3GR draft for their service in the War:

Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class)
Subadar Tula Gurung 2-3GR attached 2-1GR

'For conspicuous gallantry on 23rd July 1919, when he lad his platoon under heavy fire to the attack on a hill. He was killed after the crest of the hill had been taken while urging his men on. This Gurkha officer's total disregard for his own life was a fine example to all. His widow was admitted to his pension of the order with effect from the date of his death.'

No 4797 Lance Naik Lachman Lama 2-3GR attached 2-1GR
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 13th July 1919, when on picquet duty. Taking four men with him he managed to crawl up a small hill from which a large number of the enemy were firing heavily on his picquet. Having established himself on the near edge of the hill he opened very accurate fire on the enemy around him killing numbers of them. He then charged with the bayonet which resulted in the withdrawal of the enemy. Throughout the action this non-commissioned officer showed the greatest bravery and entire disregard of enemy fire.'

No 3040 Naik Tegbahadur Sahi 3-3GR attached 2-1GR
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 13th July 1919. This non-commissioned officer with five men held a position for two hours against large numbers of the enemy. By repeatedly opening rapid fire on the enemy at close range he prevented them from collecting to rush his position. He was killed during the withdrawal of his men. His determination and entire disregard of fear undoubtedly saved the picquet to which he belonged from suffering heavy casualties. His widow was admitted to his pension of the order with effect from the date of his death.'

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Sold for
£70

Starting price
£40