Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Malaya Emergency M.M. pair awarded to Lieutenant Dirgasing Thapa, 6th Gurkha Rifles

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (21144018 Col-Sjt., 6.G.R.); REGULAR ARMY L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Lt. (Q.G.O.), M.M. 6th G.R.) contact marks and polished, therefore nearly very fine (2)

M.M., London Gazette, 21 October 1952: 'For the past eighteen months C.Sjt. Dirgasing Thapa has commanded No. 1 Platoon A Company 1/6 Gurkha Rifles. During this period, his platoon has accounted for 7 bandits killed, more than any other platoon in the Bn. On one occasion this N.C.O. was in command of an ambush sent out to intercept an enemy supply party. Despite unsuitable terrain, and the fact that the presence of enemy agents amongst the tappers rendered the infiltration of troops into the area an extremely difficult and hazardous operation, C/Sjt. Dirgasing Thapa organised and maintained his ambush with such skill and when 3 bandits eventually walked into the trap, all were killed. In January of this year during a cordoning operation in the Bukit Pasir area, this N.C.O. himself accounted for the bandit Tan San Kwee, who at the time was dressed as a tapper. But for the vigilance and initiative shown by Dirgasing this notorious bandit, a District Committee member with a reward of $10,000 on his head, might well have escaped. On 14 Feb, C/Sjr Dirgasing Thapa was again in command of a small ambush near Bukit Pasir. Due to the skill and resourcefulness of this commander, the ambush party were successful in killing two bandits, one of whom was shot by Dirgasing personally. A week later, he successfully ambushed and himself shot an important Indian bandit, a District Committee member who had terrorised the estate labour in the area for many months. During the period under review C/Sjt Dirgasing Thapa has shown himself to be a born leader and an intrepid fighter. The remarkable successes achieved by his platoon over the past few months have been due in large measure to his skill and resourcefulness as a planner, and to his personal coolness and gallantry in action. He has proved himself to be an outstanding commander in the field, and his behaviour under fire has been an example to all his platoon.'

Sold with further details including copy service record.