Kulbir Thapa

Rifleman (later Havildar*), 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army

VC
Register No.
708 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Rifleman (later Havildar*) (register: Rifleman) all Riflemans →
Unit
2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army (register: 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles) all 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles VCs →
Date of action
25 September 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Conflict / campaign
First World War
London Gazette
18th November 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Born
on 15th September 1888 at Nigalpani, Palba, Nepal
Died
3rd October 1956 in Nepal
Memorial / grave
not recorded

Digest of citation

On 25 September 1915, south of Fauquissart, France, Rifleman Kulbir Thapa, having been wounded himself, found a wounded soldier of The Leicestershire Regiment behind the first-line German trench. Although urged to save himself, the Gurkha stayed with the wounded man all day and night. Early next day, in misty weather, he took him through the German wire and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two wounded Gurkhas, one after the other. He then went back, and , in broad daylight, fetched the British soldier, carrying him most of the way under enemy fire

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

KULBIR THAPA. (Reg.No.708)

Rifleman (later Havildar*) 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army London Gazetted on 18th November 1915.

Born on on 15th September 1888 at Nigalpani, Palba, Nepal.

Died on 3rd October 1956 in Nepal.

Memorial not recorded.

Digest of Citation reads: On 25 September 1915, south of Fauquissart, France, Rifleman Kulbir Thapa, having been wounded himself, found a wounded soldier of The Leicestershire Regiment behind the first-line German trench. Although urged to save himself, the Gurkha stayed with the wounded man all day and night. Early next day, in misty weather, he took him through the German wire and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two wounded Gurkhas, one after the other. He then went back, and , in broad daylight, fetched the British soldier, carrying him most of the way under enemy fire.

*Sergeant.

Additional information: Service No:2129. It was reported that on the 26th September, during the misty weather, the German troops left their trenches to barbarically shoot and bayonet the wounded. Surviving his wounds he went with his regiment to Egypt. Kulbir Thapa eventually returned to his home country of Nepal.

Updated:15.1.03

Additional information

Service No:2129. It was reported that on the 26th September, during the misty weather, the German troops left their trenches to barbarically shoot and bayonet the wounded. Surviving his wounds he went with his regiment to Egypt. Kulbir Thapa eventually returned to his home country of Nepal. Updated:15.1.03

*Sergeant.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: not 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.

Research this recipient further

Would you like to honour Kulbir Thapa by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.