GURKHA RIFLES.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Company photograph of the officers and NCOs of B Company, 4th Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in Thailand. A fine group portrait of 47 officers and NCOs, with a manuscript roster identifying most of their names. The Frontier Force received battle honours for four battles in the Burma Campaign. In late 1945, it played a crucial role in the liberation of Thailand.4/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles was raised in 1941 and was part of the 7th Indian Infantry Division at the battles of North Arakan, Buthidaung, Pakkoku, and Sittang. At Kohima they outflanked the Japanese at Chakabama Ridge. From September 1945 they were posted to Thailand to aid in the reoccupation, which lasted until independent elections were held in early 1946.At the centre of the group is Major Geoffrey William Maycock, who led the company in April 1945 to capture a ridge marked by a golden pagoda during the Irrawaddy River operations. To his left is Subedar Rabilal Rana, who is mentioned in the regimental history as having led his patrol across a 26-mile area in only 8 hours during a rainstorm, picking up a Japanese prisoner and dissuading him from committing suicide. Jemadar Deote Thapa, in the same row, is identified as being a member of the Frontier Force in the October 1945 Indian Army List.

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