Lalbahadur Thapa
Subadar (later Subadar-Major**), 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 713 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Subadar (later Subadar-Major**) (register: Subadar) all Subadars →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army all 2nd Gurkha Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 5–6 April 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 15th June 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- in February 1906 at Thant Hup (village), Baghlung in
- Died
- 19th October 1968 at Paklehawa in Nepal
- Memorial / grave
- not yet known
Digest of citation
On 5/6 April 1943 during the silent attack on Rass-es-Zouai, Tunisia, Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa, taking command of two sections, made his first contact with enemy at the foot of a pathway winding up a narrow cleft which was thickly studded withenemy posts. The garrison of the out-posts were all killed by the subadar and his men, by kukri or bayonet and the next machine-gun posts were dealt with similarly. This officer then continued to fight his way up the bullet-swept approaches to the crest where he and the riflemen with him killed killed four--the rest fled. Thus secured, the advance by the whole division was made possible
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
LALBAHADUR THAPA (Reg.No. 713)
Subadar* (later Subadar-Major**) 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army London Gazetted on 15th June 1943.
Born on in February 1906 at Thant Hup (village), Baghlung in the Parbat District of Nepal.
Died on 19th October 1968 at Paklehawa in Nepal.
Memorial not yet known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 5/6 April 1943 during the silent attack on Rass-es-Zouai, Tunisia, Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa, taking command of two sections, made his first contact with enemy at the foot of a pathway winding up a narrow cleft which was thickly studded withenemy posts. The garrison of the out-posts were all killed by the subadar and his men, by kukri or bayonet and the next machine-gun posts were dealt with similarly. This officer then continued to fight his way up the bullet-swept approaches to the crest where he and the riflemen with him killed killed four--the rest fled. Thus secured, the advance by the whole division was made possible.
Additional information: His medal was presented by King George VI in June 1943 in Tripoli. He later came to London and was, along with other Gurkhas, presented to the public who greeted them with pride.
*Captain.
** Major
Additional information
His medal was presented by King George VI in June 1943 in Tripoli. He later came to London and was, along with other Gurkhas, presented to the public who greeted them with pride.
*Captain.
** Major
the Parbat District of Nepal.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not yet known
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