A Collection of Awards for Burma Operations during the Second World War

An ‘Immediate’ Second War Burma operations M.M. group of five awarded to Naik Purkharam Thapa, 3rd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles, for his gallantry during a moonlight patrol, when he crept up to a Japanese position and captured a Bren Gun from a sleeping sentry

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (10222 Nk. Purkaram Thapa, 6 G R) officially impressed naming ; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, mounted for wear, minor edge bruising, generally nearly very fine or better (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for Burma Operations during the Second World War.

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M.M. London Gazette 1 November 1945:

‘For gallantry in action at Myitkyo, South Burma, on the night 21/22nd July 1945. On the night of the 21/22nd July 1945, this N.C.O. was sent out on patrol to pinpoint Japanese I.M.G.s and M.M.G.s known to be in the area of the Inspection Bungalow at Myitkyo, which had been established as a strong point, and commanded all lines of approach to Myitkyo from the South.

Under a bright moon, the section worked its way forward over completely open paddy, and on getting to within 30 yards of the Jap wire, Naik Purkharam halted his section and with one other rifleman continued to crawl forward. They reached the wire unobserved, where this N.C.O. saw a Bren Gun on a fixed line, and beside it a Jap sentry, who appeared to be asleep. Undaunted and completely disregarding his own safety, he managed with considerable difficulty to crawl through the wire, to a position from which he gripped the gun by the barrel and withdrew it from its position, knowing full well, that any undue movement on his part would awaken the sentries, when he would unquestionably have been killed, escape being impossible as he was under the wire.

Whilst crawling back through the wire, the magazine on the Bren caught in one of the strands, and the noise instantly awoke the Jap sentry, who immediately shouted ‘Stand To’ and fire was opened on Naik Puurkharam. Quite unshaken by this turn of events he continued crawling back to his section, directing them to give him and the rifleman covering fire whilst they withdrew. This they did with great effect, killing two Japs. The section then withdrew to Platoon HQ where the coveted prize was handed over. The tenacity of purpose, and cold calculating courage shown by this N.C.O., and perfect control of his section under fire, was a magnificent inspiration to his whole company.’

Purkharam Thapa was a Hindu Gurkha from the village of Ghorle, in the Gulmi District of Nepal. He served during the Second War with the 3/6th Gurkha Rifles as part of the 33rd Indian Infantry Brigade in Burma. The latter were employed to prevent the breakout of the Japanese Shimbu and Kani Forces in the Sittang area.