A Collection of Medals to Gurkhas

Three: Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Manikumar Chhetri, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, who performed a ‘vital function’ during the Falklands War in administering the supply of war materials to the troops on the ground

General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, unofficial retaining rod between clasps (21156969 Rfn. Manikumar Rai. 1/7 GR.); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (21156969 WO2 Manikumar Chhetri 7GR); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (21156969 Sgt Manikumar Chhetri 7 GR) mounted as worn, good very fine and better (3) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Gurkhas.

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Collection

Approximately 697 South Atlantic Medals awarded to the 7th Gurkha Rifles, 8 to WO2’s.

Manikumar Chhetri was born in 1944 and enlisted for the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles at the British Gurkha Depot at Dharan, Nepal, on 25 August 1964. He passed individual subject examinations in English, Roman Gurkhali, arithmetic and map reading, and achieved his Army Certificate of Education (Gurkha) First Class in April 1965. Raised Warrant Officer Second Class, he served during the Falklands War with responsibility for the control and supply of war materials in the absence of the Quartermaster; he was later appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant after passing a Documentation Course in 1983. This key appointment covered extra responsibilities in regimental accounts and involved the supervision of civilian workers.

Twice nominated as the supervisor for accounts and administrator at the prestigious British Army Shooting Competition at Bisley, Manikumar Chhetri took his discharge from the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles on 10 September 1988. His testimonial from the Officer Commanding was impressive:
‘Exemplary. Manikumar Chhetri has given 22 years of very loyal service to the British Army, during which time he has served in Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands. He is very conscientious, hard working and efficient. He is always neat and accurate in detail. He has held many senior clerical appointments in the battalion, mainly in the Quartermaster’s Department. His English is excellent. He is always cheerful, reliable and has a good sense of humour. He is strongly recommended for a job involving accounting, office organisation, supervision and administration and also as an Area Welfare Officer.’

Sold with copied research, including the recipient’s Certificate of Qualifications.