Gurkha heroes die

S

Steven F

Joined
Oct 12, 1999
Messages
1,237
Two Gurkha Victoria Cross winners have died this year -- Ganju Lama and Agansing Rai, both veterans of World War II.

Ganju Lama won the honor for single-handedly destroying three enemy tanks even after being hit twice by enemy fire.

Agansing Rai was awarded the medal after he charged three enemy machine-gun nests that were wiping out his comrades. The citation which accompanied the medal praised him for his "calm display of courage and complete contempt for danger."



[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 07-17-2000).]
 
Thanks for posting this info, Steve. I've been meaning to post it myuself for a bit now.

Here's some links of interest:

Ganju Lama's obituary on BBC and info from Mike Chapman's excellent Victoria Cross
site:
http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south%5Fasia/newsid%5F817000/817682.stm
http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards/g/0438.html

Here's the BBC piece and that from the VC site for Agansing Rai:
http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid%5F768000/768673.stm
http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards/a/0011.html

Ganju Lama, VC, MM was the home-town hero from where my folks are from - Sikkim, a state in the Eastern Himalayas, India, bordering Nepal and Bhutan. Although of Tibetan descent, he joined the 7th Gurkha Rifles, was awarded the Military Medal as well as the Victoria Cross, and went on to serve with the 11th Gorkha Rifles in the Indian Army after Independence. The whole state of Sikkim was given a one-day holiday to mourn his passing earlier this month.

- Sonam

 
As a matter of fact, I have a picture of Ganju Lama hanging on the wall courtesy of Sonam. Thanks, nephew and Steven.

It won't be long and all these old WWII heroes will be gone.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Uncle Bill,

As I might have already told you, that photo of Ganju Lama I sent you was taken late last year in Gangtok, Sikkim, and might just be the last photo of the old man in his uniform and medals. One of his youngest sons was a junior of mine in college in India.

Also, re: Agansing Rai, after WWII, he continued serving with his battalion, 2/5 Gorkha Rifles, and was a Subedar Major (the senior-most rank below that of a commissioned officer) when his battalion was deployed as part of the UN force in Congo in the early 60s. He saw some more action there - Katanga, Elizabethville, and finally retired as an Honorary Captain. I think one of his sons is a Lt. Colonel now (don't know which outfit).

- Sonam

[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 07-17-2000).]
 
ff9042c3.jpg.orig.jpg

And here he is -- Ganju Lama. Old and worn when this picture was taken and now gone but his medals tell of days of strength and valor.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
The medal on the extreme left, with the plain maroon ribbon is the Victoria Cross.

This photograph was taken in Photo Media Studio, New Market, Gangtok (Sikkim), India, sometime in late 1999. I picked up a few copies when I was there last in Dec '99 - Jan '00.

- Sonam

[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 07-17-2000).]
 
He has more medals than chest.
The path to those medals are concealed in those happy eyes,now closed for ever.

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Ray
 
The WWII vets are a vanishing breed. Better to show them a little attention and thanks while there are still some left.

I had the honor of meeting a WWI vet out at the VA hospital a year back. He went right to the head of the line and rightly so. And, squealed like a stuck pig when a female doctor entered the room to examine him. He would not allow her to treat him and insisted on a male doctor -- and got one!

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
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