British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Tibet campaign Victoria Cross action I.O.M. group of three awarded to Colour Havildar Ramu Gurung, 8th Gurkha Rifles, for gallantry in the assault on Gyantse Jong when he was wounded following Lieutenant Grant into the breach

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type, 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, enamel all lacking, the reverse with central nut fitting and engraved on three lines ‘3rd/Class/Order of Merit’, complete with silver ribbon buckle; Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (2239 N........ Gurung, 8th Gu.....) some loss of naming due to contact wear; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Abor 1911-12 (2239 Col. Havr. Ramu Gurung, 1/8th Gurkha Rifles) mounted as worn, contact wear and heavy pitting from the first, therefore fine or better (3) £4000-5000

Order of Merit 3rd Class G.G.O. 957 of 1904:

‘No. 2239 Rifleman Ramu Gurung, 8th Gurkha Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry during the assault on the Gyantse Jong on the 6th July 1904, when, following Lieutenant Grant into the breach, he helped to prevent that officer from slipping back as the ground kept giving way, displaying great gallantry and being wounded in his endeavours to be one of the first to reach the breach.’

Lieutenant J. D. Grant, 8th Gurkha Rifles, won the Victoria Cross on the occasion of the storming of the Gyantse Jong on the 6th July 1904, when he led the storming party up the almost precipitous rock-face, with little cover and under a heavy fire from above. Three men of the 8th Gurkha Rifles, including Rifleman Ramu Gurung, won the Indian Order of Merit for the gallantry they displayed in support of Lieutenant Grant.