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Victoria Cross Gallery

Rambahadur Limbu

Lachhiman Gurung

Bhanbhagta Gurung

Thaman Gurung

Sherbahadur Thapa

Frank Blaker

Agansing Rai

Netrabahadur Thapa

Tulbahadur Pun

Ganju Lama

Michael Allmand

Gaje Ghale

Lalbahadur Thapa

Karanbahadur Rana

George Wheeler

Kulbir Thapa

John Grant

William Walker

John Manners Smith

Guy Boisragon

Charles Grant

Richard Ridgeway

John Cook

George Channer

Donald Macintyre

John Tytler

In the summer of 1899, Gurkha orderly Harkabir Tha

In the summer of 1899, Gurkha orderly Harkabir Thapa embarked on an adventure with British officer and mountaineer Major Charles Bruce of the 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment. Harkabir astounded everyone by running to the summit of Glamaig Hill and back in just one hour and fifteen minutes, navigating a challenging four-mile route that included a bog, a steep grassy section, and a scree-covered summit.

When local ghillies reported his time to Laird MacLeod of MacLeod, he was skeptical. It took most climbers took over two hours. Harkabir retried the ascent, remarkably completing it in just 55 minutes, 20 minutes faster than before, while running barefoot.

Many athletes have since tried to beat this time, but it took a professional fell runner in running shoes, nearly a hundred years later, to shave five minutes off the time set in 1899.

The Gurkha Museum trust has honoured his incredible legacy and achievement with our whiskey, Harkbir 1899, available for purchase in our shop

#GurkhaHistory #WhiskyHeritage #MuseumStories #GurkhaMuseum #HarkabirThapa

🌟 Fundraising Friday - today, we want to take a

🌟 Fundraising Friday - today, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for those who dedicate their efforts to raise funds and support our small military museum. 🙏

Dhanyabad to Corporal Dipak Gurung from #27regimentrlc for conquering the National Three Peaks Challenge in just 23 hours and 11 minutes! 🎉

His incredible challenge aims to raise funds for the Gurkha Museum, and they're still on the lookout for support. Let's rally together to cheer him on! Join the effort in the link in our bio!

#FundraisingFriday #MilitaryHeritage #ThreePeaksChallenge #CharityChallenge #GurkhaPride

🎖️ Gurkha VC: Born in 1920, Agansing Rai joi

🎖️ Gurkha VC: Born in 1920, Agansing Rai joined the 5th Gurkha Rifles at 21 and became a section commander in the 2nd Battalion during the Chin hills campaign in Burma (1943-1944).

In June 1944, while his battalion was under pressure from the Japanese 15th Army near Bishenpur, C Company was ordered to retake 'Water Piquet' and 'Mortar Bluff'. C Company faced heavy fire, but Naik Agansing Rai led a successful charge, killing three enemies and inspiring his men to overpower Mortar Bluff.

After regrouping, he led another charge against renewed artillery fire, losing three men but managing to eliminate the enemy gun crew. During the advance on Water Piquet, he bravely advanced alone, killing all four enemy occupants and demoralizing the opposition.

Agansing was awarded the Victoria Cross by Field Marshal Lord Wavell on January 23, 1945. He later retired as an honorary Lieutenant and died in Kathmandu in May 2000.

To learn more about Gurkhas and their bravery, join us here at The Gurkha Museum in #winchester
#GurkhaHistory #BritishArmy #WWIIFacts #GurkhaHeritage #WWII

🎖️ Gurkha VC: #OTD in 1944, Netrabahadur Thap

🎖️ Gurkha VC: #OTD in 1944, Netrabahadur Thapa VC commanded 41 Gurkha soldiers at an isolated piquet. After holding off multiple attacks, he was shot and hit by a grenade blast. His body was found the next day, holding his khukuri, next to a dead enemy soldier bearing fatal khukuri wounds.

Netrabahadur Thapa, born in 1916, served with the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1932. He was promoted to Subedar and later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the regiment and posted to the Chin hills in Burma with the 17th Indian Division.

In March 1944, the division was ordered to withdraw to Imphal to halt the Japanese assault. Netrabahadur was in command of a garrison at an isolated hillside piquet called 'Mortar Bluff', where he and his men defended themselves fiercely. The Japanese attacked, but Netrabahadur and his men managed to drive them back. Despite low ammunition and enemy control, Netrabahadur continued to hold out and requested reinforcements. Eventually, a section of 8 men arrived with grenades and ammunition, causing the attackers to lose their attention.

Undeterred, Netrabahadur led a renewed offensive at the head of his platoon HQ, leading to his death. His Victoria Cross was presented to his widow, Nainasara Magarni, by Field Marshal Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India on 23 January 1945.

To learn more about Gurkhas and their bravery, join us here at The Gurkha Museum in #winchester

#GurkhaHistory #BritishArmy #WWIIFacts #GurkhaHeritage #WWII

Join us at The Gurkha Museum from 1-30 Aug, 10:00-

Join us at The Gurkha Museum from 1-30 Aug, 10:00-16:00, and explore original documents, artifacts, and stories to celebrate #Gurkha bravery and #heritage! 🎉

Celebrate the Gurkhas’ bravery in Burma (now Myanmar), hear from family members what it was like to be a Prisoner of War in the Far East, discover what happened in the Far East after Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ) were declared 80 years ago.

Find more on our website : TheGurkhaMuseum.co.uk

#GurkhaMuseum #Victory1945 #GurkhaHeritage #WWII #britisharmy

🎖️Gurkha VC: Tulbahadur Pun was born in 1923

🎖️Gurkha VC: Tulbahadur Pun was born in 1923 and joined the 6th Gurkha Rifles (6 GR) in 1941. He was later posted to join the 3rd Battalion (3/6 GR), which participated in the Long-Range Penetration Group, known as the Chindits, in Burma. This group was part of the 77th Infantry Brigade, led by Brigadier Mike Calvert, with the goal of capturing the city of Mogaung.

The rest of his section were wipe except for Tulbahdur. During intense fighting, Tulbahadur Pun took control of the Bren Gun and advanced on his own, firing it from the hip. He killed three Japanese soldiers and captured two light machine guns, along with ammunition. After his service in Burma, he joined the 2nd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles (2/6 GR) and served in Malaya and Hong Kong, where he inspired younger soldiers. He retired to Nepal in 1959 with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant.

His #VictoriaCross is on display at the Gurkha Museum. It is next to the VC of Lieutenant Michael Allmand, who received his award for the same attack on the Mogaung railway bridge. Have you been to the Gurkha Museum and seen their #VC?

Why not come along to museum in #winchester and learn more about Gurkha history!

#GurkhaHistory #BritishArmy #WWIIFacts #GurkhaHeritage #WWII

© The Gurkha Museum Trust Winchester - Registered Charity Number 1169920 (formerly 272426)