Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War M.C., O.B.I. group of eight awarded to Subadar Narain Sing Thapa, 1st Battalion 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1944’; Order of British India, 2nd Class neck badge, gold and enamel; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (1578 Rfm. Narain Sing Thapa, 1-2 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, good very fine and better (8) £2000-2500

M.C. London Gazette 26 October 1944. ‘Jemadar, 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army’.

Recommendation states: ‘On the night 8/9 June 1944, near Villagrande in the Adriatic Sector of the Italian front, this Gurkha Officer showed outstanding leadership, courage and determination while leading a patrol.

Jemadar Narain Sing Thapa was ordered to take out a fighting patrol of 3 NCOs and 19 Rfn in order to probe the enemy defences and ascertain whether they were still in their usual positions. In order to close with the enemy locality it was necessary to pass through a thick belt of anti-personnel mines where our own troops had in previous occasions suffered casualties. Moving ahead with two men, Jemadar Narain Sing Thapa succeeded in crossing the minefield and penetrating very difficult wire obstacles in front of the enemy dug-in positions. Moving further forward he suddenly found himself in the middle of an enemy platoon locality, and his patrol was discovered by the Germans who opened heavy machine gun fire and began throwing grenades. Jemadar Narain Sing Thapa immediately attacked the nearest German section post himself. He was seriously wounded in the leg by three bullets which shattered his thigh, but continued in the assault and killed four Germans with his Tommy gun, wounding a fifth. Heavy fire was now opened upon the patrol from all sides and one rifleman was killed. The object of his mission now being achieved, Jemadar Narain Sing Thapa decided to withdraw. With great courage and skill he succeeded in disengaging his patrol without further casualties. In spite of his serious wounds he gave calm and clear instructions which brought down heavy covering fire on the enemy while his party withdrew. The body of the dead rifleman was also recovered, thereby ensuring that no identification was left in enemy hands. The information brought back was of great value.

The gallant action of this Gurkha Officer in carrying out his task although severely wounded and his fine leadership were an inspiration to all his men. His conduct is worthy of the highest praise.’

Between 1931 and 1939, the sole campaign service of the 1-2 G.R. was on the North West Frontier in 1937, for which Rifleman Narain Sing Thapa received the India General Service Medal. Based on the assumption that he remained with the 1-2 G.R. throughout the Second World War, he would have served in Persia and Iraq with Paiforce, then in North Africa and Italy. The 1-2 G.R. was at the centre of heavy fighting during the costly and ultimately unsuccessful attack on the Cassino Monastery. Narain Sing Thapa was three times wounded while serving in Italy. Firstly, in the attack on Cassino, 18 February 1944, again during a German raid on the Orsagno sector defences, 15 April 1944, and again in the offensive patrol in the Ortona sector (see recommendation above).

With copied gazette extracts, recommendation, and other research, including a post-war group photograph of the recipient and other Gurkha officers.