Memorial
K Thapa VC
Current Location
Kulbir Thapa House, Rhode Moorhouse Court, off Green Lanes, Morden, Merton, Greater London, SM4 5NR, England
OS Grid Reference
TQ 25375 67209
Names listed on this memorial
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© WMR-85959
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- Type of Memorial
- Memorial homes / Alms houses
- WMR Reference Number
- 85959
- Description
- Kulbir Thapa House Comprises: 4 x 1 bedroomed flats (up to 2 people) 2 x 2 bedroomed flats (up to 4 people) Kulbir Thapa Magar VC was the first Nepalese Gurkha 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. Thapa was a 26-year-old Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army, during the First World War. On 25 September 1915, at the Battle of Loose in France, Thapa, having been wounded himself, found a wounded soldier of the Leicestershire Regiment behind the first-line German trenches. Although urged to save himself, he stayed with the wounded man during the rest of the day and throughout the night. Early next day, in misty weather, he dragged him through the German wire, within spitting distance from the Germans and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two other wounded Gurkhas, one after the other. He then went back and, in broad daylight, fetched the other British soldier, carrying him most of the way under enemy fire. Such an incredible act of faith and courage had by now attracted a good deal of attention, and when he emerged from his trench for the third time with one more wounded comrade over his shoulder, the German soldiers actually clapped their hands to encourage him on and he was therefore able to walk right across No-Mans-Land back to his own side. The Victoria Cross awarded to Kulbir Thapa was in the first group of awards for the Battle of Loos which were gazetted on 18 November 1915. Thapa was presented with his medal by King George V at Buckingham Palace although the exact date is not known. He later achieved the rank of Havildar (equivalent to Sergeant) and died in Nepal in 1956.
- Inscription
- KULBIR THAPA HOUSE
- War
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Number Commemorated
- 1
- Served
- 1
- Information shown
- surname, forename
- Number Commemorated
- 1
- Died
- 1
- Information shown
- surname, forename
Components
- Building
Condition: Good