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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 678

The Order of the Gurkha Right Hand (Gorkha Dakshina Bahu) group of four awarded to Captain R. A. H. Cowan, Gurkha Contingent, Singapore Police, late 9th Gurka Rifles

Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Asst. Supt. R. A. H. Cowan. S'pore Police); Nepal, Kingdom, Order of the Gurkha Right Hand (Gorkha Dakshina Bahu), 4th class, silver, minor contact marks, very fine (4)

Roderick (Bill) A. H. Cowan was born on 20 November 1924 and educated at Charterhouse from 1938-41. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Seaforth Highlanders he was promoted Lieutenant in 1946 and served attached to the 9th Gurkha Rifles. Upon Indian Independance, Cowan was transferred to 1/6 Gurkha Rifles and in 1949 (when the idea of a Gurkha detachment with the Singapore Police was raised) he was one of the officers sent to help in its creation. With the Japanese occupation of Singapore the pre-war police force had been decimated and it was decided to raise a Gurkha contingent of 149 men with British Officers which Cowan was given charge of recruiting. He left in February 1948; With the Gurkhas by Scott Leatherheart, refers:

'So, armed with and fortified by these decisions, Cowan departed for India and the Recruiting Depots to gather together his men.'

Leatherheart ended up as Captain of the unit but Cowan certainly served with them, gaining the rank of Assistant Superintendent. He was still serving with this unit in 1954; sold together with a 9th Gurkha Rifles cap badge along with handwritten notes, emails and a copy of recipient's father's obituary as well as an extract from With the Gurkhas and a photograph of the Officers and NCOs of the Singapore Gurkha Detachment.

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£210