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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 123

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. E. Asia 1945-46 (51190 Rfn. Asbahadur Gurung, 3/4 G.R.), very fine

The Battalion sailed with 5th Indian Division from Rangoon at the end of August and landed at Singapore on 5th September 1945. It was initially employed in assembling and guarding Allied prisoners of war for repatriation, to include a number of Gurkhas who had been taken prisoner during the Japanese invasion of Malaya and the capture of Singapore in 1942. The Battalion next moved to Kluang in Southern Malaya to assist in the screening of Japanese prisoners of war. These duties continued until November 1945, when 3/4GR was ordered to move to Java, Dutch East Indies to reinforce 23rd Indian Division in the restoration of the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
In Java, the Battalion was employed in cordon and search duties, guarding and patrolling until March 1946, when it was redeployed to Alor Star in Northern Malaya. Over the next three months it was engaged in anti-smuggling duties and cross border operations against bandits in Siam.
The 3rd Battalion was ordered back to the Dutch East Indies in June 1946; this time to reinforce 26th Indian Division in Sumatra in the maintenance of law and order until relieved by Dutch Forces in October 1946. The Battalion then returned to Malaya for the third and final time. Throughout 1947, 3/4GR was stationed in Kuala Lumpur guarding military installations. It returned to India in January 1948.
During the Battalion's tours of duty in the Dutch East Indies, seven Gurkhas were wounded in action of whom two subsequently died . For its operational services in Java and Sumatra between November 1945 and October 1946, 3/4GR was awarded the General Service Medal 1918 clasp S.E. ASIA 1945-46 and five officers were Mentioned in Despatches.
3/4GR was the only battalion of the Regiment to serve in either French Indo-China or the Dutch East Indies at the end of the Second World War. The GSM 1918 clasp S.E.ASIA 1945-46 was the only GSM to be awarded to 4GR and the last British campaign medal to be awarded in its 90 years of British Service.

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Sold for
£95

Starting price
£40