A Collection of Medals to Gurkhas

A post-War B.E.M. awarded to Regimental Pipe Major Warrant Officer Class II Hastabahadur Rai, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (21147426 Act. W/O.2. Hastabahadur Rai, 7 G.R.) minor edge nick, good very fine £300-£400

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

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B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 2 June 1973.

The Kukri, The Journal of the Brigade of Gurkhas states: ‘On 1st June we were all delighted to learn that WO2 Hastabahadur Rai has been awarded the BEM for his services as Pipe Major during the UK tour.’

Hastabahadur Rai initially served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles, and was sent to Edinburgh Castle in the spring of 1969 to attend a Pipe Major’s Course. Displaying a ‘very creditable performance indeed’, he was rewarded with a “B” grading and a copy of Standard Settings of Pipe Music as a memento of the occasion by Colonel R. D. MacLagan, C.B.E., M.C., Queen’s Own Highlanders. Raised Acting Sergeant (Pipes and Drums) on 1 October 1969 whilst serving at Regimental Headquarters, Hastabahadur Rai was appointed Sergeant in the Nominal Roll of Pipes and Drums on 14 July 1971 and Acting Warrant Officer Second Class on 7 December 1972.

The early 1970s saw considerable demand for a ‘Gurkha presence’ at civil and military functions fuelled in no small part by the words of Field Marshal Lord Montgomery of Alamein and his support for the fledgling Gurkha Welfare Appeal. A letter from Montgomery which was published in The Times on 25 June 1970 made clear his views upon learning that many Gurkha soldiers and their dependants or widows were facing destitution in old age:

‘The Gurkhas are our oldest and staunchest allies and have served with us for over 150 years. Nearly half a million Gurkhas fought side by side with British troops in the two World Wars winning 26 Victoria Crosses and suffering 43,000 casualties. By their courage and endurance they have made a magnificent contribution to the success of British arms... This country owes them a great debt for their loyal and devoted service in numerous campaigns over many years.’

Within a short period of time, donations to the Gurkha Welfare Appeal had reached £250,000, but it soon became clear that a least £1 million was required to provide in perpetuity an income sufficient to meet the many deserving cases brought forward. The Appeal reached a wider audience by opening a mobile Gurkha Welfare store selling a wide variety of ‘Nepaliana’ to the British public; it fell to Hastabahadur Rai to lead the Pipes and Drums as the figurehead for the Regiment - a role which he fulfilled with aplomb.

Invited to perform at Clarence House in March 1972 (one of 42 separate engagements conducted that year, 19 on behalf of the Gurkha Welfare Appeal), Her Majesty The Queen Mother was keen to express her enjoyment of the music:
‘I greatly appreciated hearing this morning your Pipe Major playing in my garden at Clarence House. I was thrilled by the stirring music of the pipes. Please convey to this Warrant Officer an expression of my sincere thanks.’

Sold with copied research.