| Sher Bahadur Thapa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 20, 1921 |
| Died | September 19, 1944 (aged 22) |
| Place of death | San Marino, Italy |
| Allegiance | British India |
| Service/branch | British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1942 - 1944 |
| Rank | Rifleman |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Sher Bahadur Thapa VC (20 November 1921 – 19 September 1944) was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details[]
He was enrolled on 20 November 1942 and was a 22 years old Rifleman in the 1st Battalion of the 9th Gurkha Rifles, in the British-Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place at the Battle of San Marino, for which he was awarded the VC.[1]
Digest of Citation (reg No. 1137) reads:[2]
| “ | On 18/19 September 1944 at San Marino, Italy, when a company of the 9th Gurkha Rifles encountered bitter opposition from a German prepared position, Rifleman Sher Bahadur Thapa and his section commander, who was afterwards badly wounded, charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun. The rifleman then went on alone to the exposed part of a ridge where, ignoring a hail of bullets, he silenced more machine-guns, covered a withdrawal and rescued two wounded men before he was killed.
|
” |
His Victoria Cross is currently held by his regiment 9 Gorkha Rifles in India. He was a Thapa Chhetri of Khas origin and a son of Ramdhoj Thapa, a permanent resident of Ghalechap of Tanahu, Nepal.
Notes[]
See also[]
References[]
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links[]
- Sher Bahadur Thapa
- Victoria Crosses have been won by Gurkha Regiments at www.nepalesekhukuri.com
- Sher Bahadur Thapa (1921 - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial at www.findagrave.com
The original article can be found at Sher Bahadur Thapa and the edit history here.