Subadar NETRA BAHADUR THAPA

The citation in the London Gazette of 10th October, 1944, gives the following details: Subadar Netra Bahadur Thapa on 25th June, 1944, was in command of the garrison of 41 men of the 2/5th Royal Gurkha Rifles which held an isolated piquet on a hillside commanding the Base at Bishenpur in Burma. This post was commanded by another which had been overrun by the enemy the previous night, and its retention was vital to the safety of other posts farther down the ridge, and of Bishenpur itself. In the evening a Japanese attack began, and a fierce fight ensued, in which the enemy were driven back with disproportionate losses. Subadar Netra Bahadur Thapa moved from post to post regardless of his own safety, encouraging his men and tending the wounded. After a short lull, the Japanese forces attacked again, from a different direction. The Gurkhas held their ground until by ill-luck both machine-guns of one section jammed, and the enemy overran both this and another section, killing 12 out of the 16 men. The Subadar, having no reserve himself went forward and stemmed any further advance with grenades. Although the situation was critical, he determined to hold on. Another section of 8 men with additional ammunition was sent to reinforce him; all these men were soon casualties, but the Subadar himself retrieved the ammunition, and with his platoon headquarters took the offensive, armed with grenades and kukris. Whilst so doing he received first a bullet wound in the mouth, then was killed by a grenade. His fine example of personal bravery and his high sense of duty so inspired his men that a vital position was held to the limit of human endurance.