Netrabahadur Thapa

Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa VC was born on 8 January 1916 at Rahu, Lamjung District, Nepal, the son of Haimatisara. He served in the Indian Army with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) and had already seen service on the North West Frontier before the Second World War. His medal entitlement is best shown as the Victoria Cross, India General Service Medal 1936–39 with clasp North West Frontier 1936–37, 1939–45 Star, Burma Star, War Medal 1939–45, and India Service Medal 1939–45.

During the Burma campaign, Thapa was serving as a Jemadar, acting Subadar, when he was placed in command of a small isolated post at Mortar Bluff, near Bishenpur, India. On the night of 25–26 June 1944, his position was heavily attacked by Japanese forces. The post was vital because its loss would have exposed other positions along the ridge and threatened the base below. Thapa moved continually through the position under fire, encouraged his men, directed the defence, and helped the wounded while the garrison was steadily reduced by casualties.

When part of the position was overrun and ammunition became dangerously short, Thapa refused to abandon the post. Reinforcements and ammunition were sent forward, but those men also became casualties. Thapa recovered ammunition himself and led a counterattack with the few men still able to fight. He was wounded and later killed by a grenade while continuing the defence. His body was found the next day, reportedly still holding his kukri near a dead enemy soldier.

For his gallantry and leadership at Mortar Bluff, Netrabahadur Thapa was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. The award was announced by the War Office on 12 October 1944. He died on 26 June 1944, aged 28, and has no known grave. He is commemorated on Face 63 of the Rangoon Memorial in Myanmar.