British Empire Medal of Rifleman Bhajbir Gurung, 2nd Battalion/5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)

Rifleman Bhajbir Gurung served with the 2^nd Battalion of the 5^th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) (2/5GR) in Burma, including during the withdrawal from Burma in 1942. In May 1942 Bhajbir was specially selected as the personal orderly and bodyguard to General Slim in his role as Commander 1^st Burma Corps and later of 14^th Army, in recognition of his courage and loyalty. In this role Bhajbir accompanied Slim through to the conclusion of the Burma Campaign in 1945, often into the most forward positions and under enemy fire. For this devotion to duty Bhajbir Gurung was awarded the British Empire Medal, which now forms part of The Gurkha Museum’s collection.

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