4146

Rifleman Karan Bahadur Rana

2/3rd Gurkha Rifles

Date of Action: 10 April 1918

Place of Action: El Kefr, Egypt

Date and Place of Birth:  21 December 1898; V. Mangalthan, Gulmi, Nepal; son of Dalbir Rana

Enrolled:  21 December 1916

CITATION

He was awarded the Victoria Cross "for the most conspicuous bravery, resource in action under adverse conditions, and utter contempt for danger at El Kefr, Egypt, on 10th April 1918.

"During an attack he, with a few other men, succeeded under intense fire, in creeping forward with a Lewis gun in order to enage 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's machine gun crew; then, switching his fire on to the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him, he silenced their efire. He kept his gun in action and showed the greatest coolness in removing defect 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 assistaed with covering fire until the enemy were close on him. He displayed throughout a very high standard of valour and devotion to duty." (London Gazette, 21 June 1918)

A link to Karan Bahadur Rana on Mike Chapman's VC pages.

http://haynese.winthrop.edu/india/medals/VC/1KBRana.html
last revised 1 June 1998
Ed Haynes
Back to Indian Victoria Cross page