Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry
Alone in the tank, he was also vulnerable to hand grenades being thrown inside, because the escape hatches for the three-man turret crew were probably left unlocked. Despite these challenges, he set off at full speed, mowing down Chinese anti-tank and machine-gun squads and rescuing exhausted British soldiers. A Royal Ulster Rifleman who rode to safety on the back of one of the Centurions described how ‘the tanks were going straight through [the Chinese attackers]. And that’s all I could hear, those people screaming, being crushed by the tanks as they went through them. Quite a horrible experience. It was a mess, just a mess. The sides of the tanks were covered in blood. All the tracks were full of limbs…’
The final day of fighting during the Imjin River battle cost ‘C’ Squadron six of its Centurions and five other vehicles. Bomber had single- handedly prevented the loss of a seventh Centurion, and Murray had saved an eighth. The Chinese were not able to recover any of the Centurions that they had captured. Their Spring Offensive was irreparably damaged by the casualties that they had suffered at the hands of 29th British Brigade. The 63rd Army lost over a third of its strength and was pulled out of the Chinese Offensive. The P.L.A. failed in their bid to capture Seoul and were soon retreating again. All the United Nations troops had resisted fiercely, but the British had fought the most ferociously, held out the most tenaciously, inflicted the highest casualties and won the greatest fame.
Less than five weeks after their pullback from the Imjin River, all three Squadrons of the 8th Hussars were back on the Imjin battlefield (their rotation back to Europe had been countermanded). All the lost Centurions were recovered and repaired, except for one, a total wreck, which was cannibalised for its parts until it was only useful as scrap metal. On 19 May 1951, Brigadier Brodie of 29th Independent British Brigade approved proposals for gallantry awards to four officers and two other ranks of the 8th Hussars for the Imjin River fighting. He wrote on Captain Murray’s sheet “Strongly Recommended”. He endorsed the papers for Trooper Bomber’s M.M. as “Strongly Recommended. A First-class Display.”
Harry Bomber left the army, time expired, on 4 December 1951. He died in Birmingham in autumn 1980.
49
A good 1951 ‘Malaya operations’ M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal Chandrabahadur Rai, 1st Battalion, 10th (Princess Mary’s Own) Gurkha Rifles, for his gallantry in engaging a party of terrorists in the Bentong area of Pahang, 3 April 1951, during which he personally accounted for 5 terrorists. Over the course of the tour he killed at least a further 2 terrorists
Military Medal,
G.VI.R., 2nd issue (21141400 Rfn. Chandrabahadur Rai 10 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya,
G.VI.R. (21141400 Rfn. Chandrabahadur Rai 10 G.R.) minor official correction to unit; India Independence Medal 1947 (21141400 Rfn. Chandrabahdur Rai. G.R.) mounted as worn, generally nearly very fine (6)
£1,200-£1,600 M.M. London Gazette 7 August 1951: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya.’
The original recommendation states: ‘On 3 April 1951 Rifleman Chandrabahadur Rai was a member of a small party protecting the patrol base, when information was received that nine bandits were approaching. Whilst moving out to a fire position on the flank of the bandits’ line of approach, Rifleman Chandrabahadur and his party came under fire and immediately charged. Firing well aimed and controlled bursts from his Bren, as he charged, Rifleman Chandrabahadur continued the pursuit with the greatest determination and courage, and personally accounted for four of the five bandits killed in this action. This Rifleman’s keenness, efficiency and complete disregard for his own safety, have been an inspiration to all and have resulted in his killing a total of seven bandits.’
Chandrabahadur Rai was born in 1924, and enlisted in the Indian Army at Rangoon in December 1942. He served with 1/10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles from January 1948, and served with the Regiment in Malaya January 1948 - November 1949, August 1950 - April 1953, January 1954 - March 1956 and May 1958 - January 1961. Chandrabahadur Rai advanced to Corporal and was discharged, 26 August 1961, having served for 18 years and 241 days.
Sold with a copy of recipient’s service record.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
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