Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine and rare E.II.R. Malaya operations D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 Bhaktabahadur Pradhan, 2/7th Gurkha Rifles: ‘This Sergeant has now killed four Communist terrorists himself over the past year’ - two of them in the action for which he was decorated, a jungle firefight in Pahang, and both of them after he had been wounded

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (21139002 Sgt. Bhaktabahadur Pradhan, 7 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these unnamed; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (21139002 Sgt. Bhaktabahadur Pradhan, 7 G.R.); Indian Independence Medal 1947 (21139002 Cpl. Bhaktabahadur Prodhan, G.R.), note surname spelling, mounted as worn, the first with minor official corrections in two places to name and contact wear to rim at 3 o’clock caused by the star, this slightly obscuring the ‘R’ of ‘G.R.’, generally very fine or better (7) £4500-5000

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 June 1954. The original recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Bhaktabahadur Pradhan was in command of No. 6 Platoon, ‘B’ Company during “Operation Trojan” in the jungles of Pahang. On 6 June 1953, his platoon was instructed to lead the follow up of 10 Communist terrorists whose tracks had been found. Throughout the day with tireless energy Sergeant Bhaktabahadur relentlessly kept on the trail of the enemy until at 1700 hours they were located preparing a camp.

Sergeant Bhaktabahadur was then ordered to attack the camp with a small party while the remainder of the patrol covered the likely escape routes.

The assault party under this N.C.O. got to within 15 yards of the camp before they were spotted by a Communist terrorist sentry, who opened fire; but Sergeant Bhaktabahadur, at the head of four men, unhesitatingly charged. Fire was then opened by all the Communist terrorists and, for nearly half an hour the numerically superior enemy fought back with grenades and accurate L.M.G. fire.

Sergeant Bhaktabahadur, although wounded, realised the importance of silencing the L.M.G. gunner. Despite the intensity of the enemy fire he got to within five yards of the L.M.G. position, killed the enemy gunner and captured the gun. He then killed another Communist terrorist, after which the enemy withdrew in disorder.

The leadership, tactical skill and personal bravery of Sergeant Bhaktabahadur inspired the men he led and was largely responsible for bringing the battle to a very successful conclusion.

This Sergeant has now killed four Communist terrorists himself over the past year and his standards of leadership and courage have been of the highest order.’

Bhaktabahadur Pradhan, whose 1939-45 War services and entitlements are verified on his service record, was originally recommended for the M.M., but Lieutenant-General Stockwell, the G.O.C. Malaya, upgraded the award to a D.C.M. He was finally discharged in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 in October 1965.