VC-winning Gurhka dies aged 93

A Gurkha warrior who won the Victoria Cross for repelling wave after wave of Japanese attacks despite being badly wounded by a grenade blast has died aged 93, his family has said revealed.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Dec 2010, 21:56 BST
Updated 13th Dec 2010, 21:56 BST

In his latter years Lachhiman Gurung was a key part of the campaign fronted by actress Joanna Lumley to win Gurkhas the right to stay in this country, and she paid tribute to the fearless fighter, who was just 4ft 11in tall.

She said: "Although he was small in stature we shall all walk in his huge shadow."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Born in western Nepal in 1917 Lachhiman followed in the footsteps of his family and joined the British Indian Army in December 1940.

He would normally have been too short, but rules were relaxed because of the desperate need for manpower.