A India Independence and Malaya Emergency medal pair: Rifleman Balbahadur Thapa, 2nd Gurkha Rifles

- GSM 1918-62. GVI issue with clasp 'Malaya' (21133213 Rfn. Balbahadur Thapa. 2 G.R.)
- India (Dominion): Independence Medal 1947 (21133213 Rfn Balbahadur Thapa G.R.) 

The recipient Balbahadur Thapa was a Nepalese soldier of Gurkha ethnicity and the Hindu faith, who held the rank of Rifleman while serving with a battalion of the 2nd Gurkha Rifles of the British Army

Important: The recipient's unique Army Number issued on 01/01/1948, indicates with certainty, a Gurkha who had prior seen active campaign service overseas during the Second World War - either serving with 1/2 GR in North Africa / Italy, or with 2/2 GR in Malaya Campaign ((2 x 'Other Ranks' of that name were confirmed 'Wounded-in-Action' in Malaya on 17/12/42 - and both these survived the war. As such the recipient would have been entitled to un-named stars and medals for their Second World War service

Without exception - all Gurkha Ranks - who had served during the Second World War, and subsequently transferred to the British Army on 1 January 1948, were allocated new unique 8 x digit British Army numbers. Gurkha Other Ranks receiving their eight digit numbers from the block issued to the Gurkha Brigade, with all numbers starting with the digits 2113....In the case of Balbahadur Thapa his unique British Army number was issued 112 enlistments before No 21133325 Parbir Thapa (enlisted January 1941, captured as an 18 year old), this latter soldier being a confirmed FEPOW captured t the falll of Singapore 15 February 1942

It was for their outstanding gallantry at Delhi during the Indian Mutiny, that the 'Sirmoor Rifles' (later styled as 2nd Goorkha Regiment), were given the honour of wearing 'Rifles' green uniforms; carrying the title 'Rifles' in their appointments and name, and the men using the rank 'Rifleman' instead of the hitherto used 'Sepoy'

Following the independence of India, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles Regiment was one of four Gurkha Rifles Regiments (the others were 6 GR, 7 GR & 10 GR) to transfer their service to the British Army, effective from 1 January 1948

Condition: VF

Code: 26090