Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very rare Second World War Burma front escaper’s M.C. group of six awarded to Subadar Pahal Sing Thapa, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (2079 L.-Nk. Pahal Sing Thapa, 1-3 G.R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (2079 Hav. Pahal Sing Thapa, 1-3 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, the third with minor official correction to name, generally good very fine (6) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 1 November 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Subadar Pal. Singh Thapa was captured at Sittang in February 1942 and subjected from then on to the usual propaganda and ill treatment. For 2½ years, however, not only was his own loyalty unshaken but he never ceased to keep up the morale of the other P.Ws by every means in his power.

In 1944 he was employed on road repairs near Tiddim and it was from here that he organised and carried out a highly successful escape of not only himself but no fewer than 32 G.O.Rs. For days he led these men through the jungle, occasionally helped and fed by friendly villagers, but more often existing precariously on berries or anything they could find until at last they managed to contact our forces.

Subadar Pal. Singh Thapa spent 2½ years in captivity undergoing every form of hardship and continually subjected to propaganda. During the whole of this time not only did his loyalty and his faith never waiver but the example he set was an inspiration to his men. Finally, at the earliest opportunity, he led 32 of them in a magnificently organised and successful escape, and overcoming every difficulty brought them all back safely to our lines. It is therefore recommended that for his unswerving courage and superb leadership he be awarded the M.C.’

Pahal Sing Thapa, who enlisted into 1/3 Gurkha Rifles in March 1924, served with the 1st Battalion during the Red Shirt Rebellion in 1931 and on the North West Frontier in 1936-37, for which he was awarded the above described India General Service Medals & clasps. Commissioned as a Jemadar in November 1939, he is listed in regimental records as having been deployed to Burma with the 1st Battalion as a Subadar, where he was subsequently captured by the Japanese at Sittang in February 1942, following the premature demolition of the bridge - the cutting of the bridge left much of 17 Indian Division stranded on the wrong side of the river.

One of 16 officers of 1/3 Gurkha Rifles to be awarded the M.C. during the Second World War, his is believed to have been the only such award for escape work to a Gurkha Officer.