Auction Catalogue

21 September 2007

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 910

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21 September 2007

Hammer Price:
£2,700

A rare E.II.R. Malaya operations M.M. pair awarded to Rifleman Ganeshbahadur Sunwar, 2/7th Gurka Rifles - despite being seriously wounded, he continued to lead his men in an attack on a terrorist stronghold, and accounted for one of their number before being evacuated by helicopter

Military Medal
, E.II.R., 1st issue (21136653 Rfn. Ganeshbahadur Sunwar, 7 G.R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (21136653 Rfn. Ganeshbahadur Sunwar, 7 G.R.), mounted as worn, the second with edge bruise, otherwise generally good very fine (2) £2500-3000

M.M. London Gazette 29 June 1954. The original recommendation states:

‘On 2 June 1953, while his platoon was operating in the Sungei Bilut area, Pehang, a camp containing three terrorists was located and surrounded. Sunwar was in charge of a group taking part in the assault. He led his men with great dash and determination but during the charge was seriously wounded in the leg. Despite this he carried on pressing hard the attack until his wound caused him to collapse. During this time he killed one of the terrorists himself and continued to encourage his men, displaying leadership and courage of a high order. He was eventually evacuated by helicopter, being operated on immediately on arrival at hospital. In this action and in many others, Sunwar’s spirit, dash, and personal example were an outstanding example to the rest of his comrades. He has on numerous occasions spread over the past six months pushed himself to the forefront of any engagement and has shown willingness to face the enemy which is worthy of the highest praise.’

Ganeshbahadur Sunwar, who joined the 7th Gurkhas in December 1948, completed several operational tours in Malaya in the period 1948-1960, and was finally discharged in January 1964; sold with photocopied service record.