Karanbahadur Rana
Rifleman, 2nd/3rd Battalions Queen Alexandra's Own, Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 666 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Rifleman all Riflemans →
- Unit
- 2nd/3rd Battalions Queen Alexandra's Own, Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army (register: 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles) all 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 10 April 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 21st June 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 20th December 1898 at Mangalthan, Litung, in the Bahlung
- Died
- 6th August 1973 at Litung, in the Bahlung District of
- Memorial / grave
- not yet recorded
Digest of citation
On 10 April 1918 at El Kefr, Egypt, during an attack, Rifleman Karabahadur Rana and a few other men crept forward with a Lewis gun under intense fire to engage an enemy machine-gun. No 1 of the Lewis gun team opened fire but was shot almost immediately, whereupon the rifleman pushed the dead man off the gun, opened fire, knocked out the enemy gun crew and then silenced the fire of the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work and finally assisted with covering fire in the withdrawal, until the were close on him
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KARANBAHADUR RANA. (Reg.No.666)
Rifleman 2nd/3rd Battalions Queen Alexandra's Own, Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 21st June 1918.
Born on 20th December 1898 at Mangalthan, Litung, in the Bahlung District of Nepal.
Died on 6th August 1973 at Litung, in the Bahlung District of Nepal.
Memorial not yet recorded.
Digest of Citation reads: On 10 April 1918 at El Kefr, Egypt, during an attack, Rifleman Karabahadur Rana and a few other men crept forward with a Lewis gun under intense fire to engage an enemy machine-gun. No 1 of the Lewis gun team opened fire but was shot almost immediately, whereupon the rifleman pushed the dead man off the gun, opened fire, knocked out the enemy gun crew and then silenced the fire of the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work and finally assisted with covering fire in the withdrawal, until the were close on him.
Additional information: On Saturday the 2nd August, 1919 there was a parade of His Majesty's Indian Troops through London. Naik (Corporal) Karanbahadur Rana was in that proud assembly.They were received at Buckingham Palace by King George V who personally thanked them for their loyalty and magnificent service during the war. Also on this occasion Naik Karanbahadur Rana was decorated by the King with the Victoria Cross.
From Alf's photographs
Karnabahadur Rana VC - Memorial at Litung, Baghlung District, Nepal. (gallery)
Additional information
On Saturday the 2nd August, 1919 there was a parade of His Majesty's Indian Troops through London. Naik (Corporal) Karanbahadur Rana was in that proud assembly.They were received at Buckingham Palace by King George V who personally thanked them for their loyalty and magnificent service during the war. Also on this occasion Naik Karanbahadur Rana was decorated by the King with the Victoria Cross.
District of Nepal.
Nepal.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not yet recorded
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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