British Groups

Lot 4054    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $7,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,200

GROUP OF SIX TO LIEUTENANT BAKHATBAHADUR RAI 1/7 GURKHA RIFLES MILITARY MEDAL (EIIR) (21145518 L/CPL BAKHATBAHADUR RAI 7. G.R.); British War Medal 1939-45; General Service Medal 1918 - one bar- Malaya (21145518 RFN Bakhatbahadur. Rai. 7. G.R.); General Service Medal 1962 - one bar - Borneo (Lt. Bakhatbahadur Rai. M.M. 1/7 G.R.); Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR) (472125 Lt. (OGO) Bakhatbahadur Rai. M.M. 7. G.R.); India Independence Medal 1947 (27745578 R.F.N. Bakhatbahadur Rai. G.R.). British War Medal unnamed, others impressed. Slight contact wear, otherwise good very fine.

MM: London Gazette 25 October 1955. 'In recognition of distinguished services in Malaya. On 11th April 1955 Lance Corporal Bakhatbahadur Rai was in command of a section of six men on patrol in the jungle to the North East of LABIS. Towards evening his section contacted a platoon of twenty-four Communist terrorists. Both parties saw each other simultaneously, but without hesitation Bakhatbahadur took the initiative and promptly ordered his section to charge. He was however quickly pinned to the ground by the fire of two Bren guns, but by effective and controlled fire, he was able to put the Communists to flight, forcing them to leave large quantities of equipment and documents. There were also signs that several had been hit. In confirmation of this, it has since been heard that one terrorist was killed and that both the terrorist platoon commander and his second in command were wounded. There is no doubt that the success of this action against numerically superior forces was due to Bakhatbahadur's cool and courageous leadership, and that he set a fine example to his men.'

Together with copy of original recommendation for the award; and Army Form B199a - Record of Service - Officers.