Associazione Nazionale Faleristica
(English) Rifleman Gurkha Sher Bahadur Thapa, VC
Postage stamp issue in memory of Sher Bahadur Thapa, VC
The Royal Warrant signed by King George V on 21st October 1911, published in 'The London Gazette' of 12 December 1911, extended eligibility to Indian soldiers.
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Since 1911, 29 soldiers from the Indian subcontinent have been awarded the VC. The first recipient was Subadar Khudadad Khan, 10th Baluch Regiment, who won the cross on 31 October 1914 at Hollebecke, Belgium. Eleven VCs were awarded to Indian soldiers in First World War and twenty-eight in Second World War. In First World War, six VCs were won in France and Belgium, three in Mesopotemia and two in Palestine. In Second World War, six VCs were won in Italy.
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Rfn Sher Bahadur Thapa VC, 9th Gurkha Rifles. was awarded for his actions at San Marino. He was killed in action on 19th September aged 22. He is buried in the CWGC Rimini Gurkha War Cemetery, Italy (Plot 6, Row E, Grave 7). His tombstone shows his Service Number 104756.
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Of Sherbahadur little is known, he was a Chhetri Thapa from Ghalechhap village, Tannu District.
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His mother, Lachuwa Kumari received his Victoria Cross.
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The latter is currently constantly guarded at the Headquarters of the 9th Gurkha Rifle Regiment in India.
Tombstone
Rfn Sher Bahadur Thapa VC, 9th Gurkha Rifles was killed in action on 19th September aged 22. He is buried in the CWGC Rimini Gurkha War Cemetery, Italy (Plot 6, Row E, Grave 7). His tombstone shows his Service Number 104756.
Citation
Motivation for the medal, published on 28 December 1944
The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to service personnel in the broader British Empire (later Commonwealth of Nations).
The Victoria Cross
Queen Victoria issued a warrant under the royal sign-manual on 29 January 1856 (gazetted 5 February 1856) that officially constituted the VC. Pictured the London Gazette, published on 5 February 1856; Issue 21846, page 410.