General Service Medal 1918-62. GVI first issue with clasp 'S. E. Asia 1945-46' (23105 Rfn. Dammarbahadur Gurung, 3-1 G.R.)

Important: For campaign service in French Indochina (later Vietnam)

Note: The only 'Infantry' units of the British Empire to serve in French Indochina (Vietnam) and fight against the Viet-Minh in the period 1945-46, were British & Indian Officers, together with Indian & Gurkha VCO's & 'Other Ranks' of the British Indian Army. All of the British Indian Army infantry units to serve in French Indochina had hitherto served in the Burma campaign fighting the Imperial Japanese Army

The recipient was a Nepalese soldier of Gurkha ethnicity from Western Nepal who was serving as a Rifleman with 3rd Battalion 1st Gurkha Rifles, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

3rd Battalion 1st Gurkha Rifles was re-raised in India on,1 October 1940. The battalion subsequently served in, India, Burma & French Indochina. During its immediate post-war service in French Indochina 1945-46, it served as one of the 3 x Indian Army infantry battalions that formed 80th Indian Infantry Brigade, under higher formation 20th (Tulwar) Indian Division of the British Indian Army. In total 4 x Gurkha battalions served in French Indochina in the period 1945-46

Condition: About GVF

Code: 21588