Netrabahadur Thapa
Acting Subadar, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. Indian Army
- Register No.
- 921 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Acting Subadar all Subadars →
- Unit
- 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. Indian Army (register: 5th Gurkha Rifles) all 5th Gurkha Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 25–26 June 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- the 12th of October 1944 all of 1944 →
- Born
- 8th January 1916 at Rahu ( Village) Bhirkot, Nepal
- Died
- in action on 26th June 1944 at Bishenpur, Burma
Digest of citation
At Bishenpur, Burma, on the day's 25th/26th June 1944, Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa was commanding a small isolated post on a hill. The Japanese attacked in force and the Gurkhas, inspired by their Subadar, who showed great courage and set a fine example, continued to hold their ground, beating back the enemy. He had to call for reinforcement as the casualties were extremely heavy. The reinforcements, when they arrived, after some time, also became casualties. This officer, undeterred, showing great courage, recovered the ammunition alone. He then began to attack the Japanese with grenades and kukris, until he himself was finally killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NETRABAHADUR THAPA. (reg No. 921).
Acting Subadar. 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. Indian Army.
London Gazetted on the 12th of October 1944.
Born on 8th January 1916 at Rahu ( Village) Bhirkot, Nepal.
Killed in action on 26th June 1944 at Bishenpur, Burma.. Tribute on the Rangoon Memorial, Burma.
Digest of Citation reads: At Bishenpur, Burma, on the day's 25th/26th June 1944, Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa was commanding a small isolated post on a hill. The Japanese attacked in force and the Gurkhas, inspired by their Subadar, who showed great courage and set a fine example, continued to hold their ground, beating back the enemy. He had to call for reinforcement as the casualties were extremely heavy. The reinforcements, when they arrived, after some time, also became casualties. This officer, undeterred, showing great courage, recovered the ammunition alone. He then began to attack the Japanese with grenades and kukris, until he himself was finally killed.
Tribute on the Rangoon Memorial, Burma.
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