Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Second World War ‘Burma Operations’ I.O.M. group of six awarded to Subadar Narbir Limbu, 10th Gurkha Rifles

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 4th type (1945-47), ‘Reward of Gallantry’, silver, gold and enamel, unnamed, complete with silver brooch bar, in damaged case of issue, lid bearing the paper label, ‘Sub. Narbir Limbu IOM 10th Gurkha Rifles’; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, these four officially named (I.O.17733 Subdr. Narbir Limbu, 10 G.R.); Coronation 1937, unnamed, good very fine and better (6) £4500-5500

I.O.M. London Gazette 22 June 1944.

Recommendation states:

‘On the 13th Mar 1944, during operations in the Kabaw Valley (North Burma) this Jemadar's platoon was ordered to contact enemy reported to be approaching the main position and to withdraw slowly delaying the enemy as much as possible. Jem Narbir Limbu, having gained contact, occupied a position and, although outnumbered by at least three to one and subsequently encircled, fought off enemy attacks until his ammunition was exhausted. He inflicted such heavy casualties on the enemy (also killing the Commander) that his platoon was able to rejoin the company and the latter was able to withdraw unmolested to the main position. Subsequently, on the 16th March 1944, the Jemadar's Company was defending a battery of 25 pounders. At about 0500 Hrs, a specially equipped force of the enemy surrounded the position, attacked, and succeeded in occupying an old gun pit inside the perimeter wire. One counter-attack was broken up by enemy MG fire. Jem Narbir Limbu detailed one party to engage this gun and he and one rifleman crawled forward over open ground and, under a hail of fire, stormed the gun pit with grenades. The gun pit was then occupied by our own troops. By his conspicuous gallantry and leadership this Gurkha Officer cleared up a very critical situation and enabled his company to capture prisoners, with much equipment, documents and identifications.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1945.

Subadar Narbir Limbu was awarded the 4th (and final) type of the military division Indian Order of Merit - this issued as a single class award. In the London Gazette of 22 June 1944 he was listed as being awarded the I.O.M. 2nd Class. Those gazetted an I.O.M. 2nd Class on or after 15 February 1944 were subsequently admitted to the single class of the Order as per GO.81-H of March 1944 and were able to exchange their 2nd Class insignia, if issued, for the new single class badges. Abbott & Tamplin in British Gallantry Awards list 2x 1st Class; 332x 2nd Class and 30x single class awards based on entries in the London Gazette, but add that, ‘... in respect of appointments gazetted from 15th February 1944, the figure for the Second Class should be reduced by 160 and this added to the single class’. Sold with the original Regimental Signalling Instructors Course Certificate, 14 July 1934; parchment commission document appointing him Jemadar, dated 9 January 1943; a letter of appreciation from General Auchinleck; Certificate of Discharge or Transfer to the Reserve; a ‘Witness Card’ paper, dated 28 January 1958, showing him drawing pensions of 63 rupees per month (plus another 55 rupees per month as an I.O.M. holder); a newspaper clipping from the Gurkha Brigade newspaper showing Narbir as a recipient of a ‘Certificate’ for Burma; a portrait photograph of the recipient in later years wearing his battle dress with coloured ribbons; and riband bars. Also with copied War Diary extracts.

Believed to be the first ‘single class’ I.O.M. group to be sold in public auction.