Lalbahadur Thapa

Lalbahadur Thapa Magar
Born	February 1906 Somsa, Nepal
Died	19 October 1968 (aged 62) Pakalihawa, Nepal
Buried	Pakalihawa Cemetery
Allegiance	British India
Service/branch	British Indian Army
Rank	Subedar-Major
Unit	1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles
Battles/wars	World War II North African Campaign
Awards	Victoria Cross

Lalbahadur Thapa Magar VC (Nepali: लालबहादुर थापामगर; February 1906 – 19 October 1968) was a Nepali Gorkha 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 approximately 37 years old, and a Subedar in the 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 5/6 April 1943 during the silent attack on , Tunisia, Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa, taking command of two sections, made his first contact with the enemy at the foot of a pathway winding up a narrow cleft which was thickly studded with enemy 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 four - the rest fled. Thus secured, advance by the whole division was made possible.^[1]

He later achieved the rank of Subedar-Major

The medal[]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Gurkha Museum in Winchester, Hampshire, England.

See also[]

• List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross

References[]

External links[]

• Lal Bahadur Thapa
• Burial location