| Sher Bahadur Thapa | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 November 1921 |
| Died | 19 September 1944 (aged 22) San Marino, Italy |
| Allegiance | British India |
| Service/branch | British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1942 - 1944 |
| Rank | Rifleman |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Sher Bahadur Thapa VC (20 November 1921 – 19 September 1944) was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was enrolled on 20 November 1942 and was a 22 years old Rifleman in the 1st Battalion of the 9th Gurkha Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place at the Battle of San Marino, for which he was awarded the VC.[1]
Digest of Citation (reg No. 1137) reads:[2]
| “ | On 18/19 September 1944 at San Marino, Italy, when a company of the 9th Gurkha Rifles encountered bitter opposition from a German prepared position, Rifleman Sher Bahadur Thapa and his section commander, who was afterwards badly wounded, charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun. The rifleman then went on alone to the exposed part of a ridge where, ignoring a hail of bullets, he silenced more machine-guns, covered a withdrawal and rescued two wounded men before he was killed.
|
” |
His Victoria Cross is currently held by his regiment 9 Gorkha Rifles in India. He was a Thapa Chhetri of Khas origin and a son of Ramdhoj Thapa, a permanent resident of Ghalechap of Tanahu.