Karanbahadur Rana

Introduction: Karanbahadur Thapa was born on 21st December 1898 in Mangalthan, Gulmi, Litung, Nepal. He was a Rana of the Magar clan and probably joined the 2/3 Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1914 at the age of 16.

VC Action: On 10th April 1918 at El Kefr, Egypt,during an attack, Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana and a few other men crept forward with a Lewis gun under intense fire to engage an enemy machine-gun. No. 1 of the Lewis gun team opened fire but was shot almost immediately, where upon the rifleman pushed the dead man off the gun, opened fire, knocked out the enemy gun crew and then silenced the fire of the enemy bomber sand riflemen in front of him. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work and finally assisted with covering fire in the withdrawal, until the enemy were close on him.The citation published on 21 June 1918 stated:

“For most conspicuous bravery, resource in action under adverse conditions, and uttercontempt for danger. During an attack, he, with a few other men, succeeded under intense fire,in creeping forward with a Lewis gun in order to engage an enemy machine gun which had caused severe casualties to officers and other ranks who had attempted to put it out of action.No. 1 of the Lewis gun opened fire, and was shot immediately. Without a moment’s hesitation Rifleman Karanbahadur pushed the dead man off the gun, and in spite of bombs thrown at him and heavy fire from both flanks, he opened fire and knocked out the enemy machine-gun crew;then, switching his fire on to the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him, he silenced their fire. He kept his gun in action and showed the greatest coolness in removing defects which on two occasions prevented the gun from firing. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work, and when a withdrawal was ordered he assisted with covering fire until the enemy were close on him. He displayed throughout a very high standard of valour and devotion to duty.”

On the same day of his Victoria Cross action, RiflemanKaranbahadur Rana saved the life of Captain Frederick Barter VC, MC. He was gazetted for the Victoria Cross on 21st June 1918,and was presented with his medal at Buckingham Palace on 2nd August 1919 by King George V. Whilst in London, he also took part in a procession of Indian troops through the city. He left the Indian Army in the mid-1930s and unfortunately not much has been recorded about his life after the First World War.

After VC: He died on 25th July 1973 aged 74 in his home village of Litung and was buried at Bharse, Gilmi, Litung. Later his VC and six other decorations were obtained from one of his sons by a representative of the Gurkha Museum, and they arrived at the Museum on 1st November 1974. They included the British War Medal1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, Indian General Service Medal (1908-1936) with one clasp (Waziristan1919-1921), King George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935, King George VI Coronation Medal 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953. They are displayed at the Gurkha Museum, Winchester, Hampshire.