Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare and impressive Malaya operations M.M. group of five awarded to Captain (Q.G.O.) Dilman Rai, 7th Gurkhas, who was involved in two close quarters firefights and personally accounted for four terrorists, in addition to wounding several others

Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (21135681 A./L./Cpl. Dilman Rai, 7 G.R.); War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (21135681 Rfn. Dilman Rai, 7 G.R.); General Service 1962, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula (Lt. Dilman Rai, M.M., 1/7 G.R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., Regular Army (Lt. (Q.G.O.) Dilman Rai, M.M. 7 G.R.), minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (5) £3000-3500

M.M. London Gazette 30 October 1953. The original recommendation states:

‘During the past year, Lance-Corporal Dilman Rai has been constantly out on jungle operations. Whenever terrorists have been encountered he has always been the first to close with them and he has personally killed four and wounded a number of others.

On 27 October 1952, this N.C.O., with four Riflemen of his section, was in an ambush position in the Tabu area of Negri Sembilan, when an armed terrorist appeared. Knowing the importance of capturing a terrorist alive, he permitted the terrorist to approach right up to him and then exposed himself in order to attempt the capture. The terrorist, however, managed to draw a grenade and had to be shot before he could throw it. The calm action of this N.C.O. in deliberately exposing himself at point blank range in order to achieve a capture was a fine example of cool, calculated courage.

On 13 January 1953, Lance-Corporal Dilman Rai was on patrol in the Seremban District of Negri Sembilan with two men of his section when two communist terrorists were encountered at a range of 100 yards. The terrorists opened fire and this N.C.O. immediately charged them and killed one. Seeing the second terrorist escaping he at once gave chase and after a running fight over 300 yards succeeded in killing the second. One rifle, one shot gun, ammunition, rations and important documents were recovered. The success of the operation was entirely due to this N.C.O’s dash and personal courage in the direct face of enemy fire.

The conduct of Lance-Corporal Dilman Rai has at all times been of the highest order and his courage and offensive spirit have been a magnificent example and inspiration to the men of his section and platoon.’

Dilman Rai, who was born in Darjeeling, India, in 1927, enlisted in the 7th Gurkhas in April 1944 and, as cited above, was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry in Malaya in 1952-53. Commissioned as a Lieutenant (Q.G.O.) in May 1963, he witnessed further active service in 1/7th Gurkhas in the Borneo and Malay Peninsula operations 1964-66, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in July of the latter year. Advanced to Captain (Q.G.O.) in March 1968, he was placed on the Retired List in November 1970; sold with copied service record.