General Service Medal 1918-62. GVI second issue with clasp 'Malaya' (21134791 Rfn. Ratnabahadur Thapa. 2 G R)

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

Without exception, all Gurkha Ranks - the majority who had served during the Second World War - that 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...

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: Toned about GVF 

Code: 26066