Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Bandsman Hashtabahadur Rai, Staff Band, late 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (21145475 Rfn. Hastabahadur Rai. Staff Band.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Malay Peninsula (21145475 Bdsm. Hastabahadur Rai. A Major Staff Band.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (21145475 Rfn. Hastabahadur Rai 2 GR.) mounted as worn, edge bruising and light contact marks, very fine (3) £300-£400

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

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Raised in November 1859, as part of an Indian Army Gurkha Regiment called the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment, the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas comprised of 16 Bandsmen and one Naik in command, and soon became a part of Regimental life. When India was partitioned in 1947 the Gurkha Regiments chose their new affiliations to either Britain or India; the 2nd Goorkhas - as the Regiment was now called - chose Britain and sailed for Sungei Patani in Malaya with the Band Instruments; in 1949 sanction was given to raise the band again, with some 56 recruits keen to commence training.

In May 1951, Captain J. P. C. Bailey, M.B.E., was appointed as the first Director of Music to the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas. At around the same time the decision was made to raise a Staff Band for the Brigade, hence by 1958 there were two flourishing Gurkha Bands; Hong Kong and the United Kingdom provided dual bases and for the next 12 years the two bands operated independently of each other to delighted crowds. This happy state of affairs continued until 1963 when, due to financial stringency, the bands were amalgamated. Withdrawn from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom permanently in 1994, the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas continues to perform around the globe today with their fast and slick marching displays, lively concert music, Nepali folk tunes and colourful traditional dances.