Nepalese World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. He was honoured for bravery in action in May of 1945. Raised in the small village of Dakhani, he was allowed to enlist in the Indian Army in 1940 despite being under the minimum height for peacetime entry (he stood only 4'11"). Attached to the 4th Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles in 1945, his unit faced around 200 Japanese at Taungdaw, Burma, on the night of May 12th. Subjected to grenade attack early the next morning, he threw back two of the devices before a third exploded, destroying his right hand and causing severe facial wounds. For at least four hours he held his post alone, loading and firing a bolt action rifle with his left hand. When he was finally relieved and evacuated, 87 dead Japanese were found, 31 of them directly beside his position. For his actions, Gurung was presented the Victoria Cross by Field Marshal Lord Wavell at Red House, Delhi, on December 19, 1945. After the war he remained on active duty, transferring to the post-Independence Indian Army in 1947, and retiring shortly thereafter. He returned to Nepal and farmed for many years, then settled in Hounslow, London, in 2008 after helping to lead a successful campaign to allow Gurkhas who had retired before 1997 to live in England. He died of pneumonia complicated by advanced age.
Nepalese World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. He was honoured for bravery in action in May of 1945. Raised in the small village of Dakhani, he was allowed to enlist in the Indian Army in 1940 despite being under the minimum height for peacetime entry (he stood only 4'11"). Attached to the 4th Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles in 1945, his unit faced around 200 Japanese at Taungdaw, Burma, on the night of May 12th. Subjected to grenade attack early the next morning, he threw back two of the devices before a third exploded, destroying his right hand and causing severe facial wounds. For at least four hours he held his post alone, loading and firing a bolt action rifle with his left hand. When he was finally relieved and evacuated, 87 dead Japanese were found, 31 of them directly beside his position. For his actions, Gurung was presented the Victoria Cross by Field Marshal Lord Wavell at Red House, Delhi, on December 19, 1945. After the war he remained on active duty, transferring to the post-Independence Indian Army in 1947, and retiring shortly thereafter. He returned to Nepal and farmed for many years, then settled in Hounslow, London, in 2008 after helping to lead a successful campaign to allow Gurkhas who had retired before 1997 to live in England. He died of pneumonia complicated by advanced age.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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