A superb Malayan Emergency ambush of Foo Ah Kwong Military Medal group awarded to Acting Lance Corporal Nardhol Gimbu, a Section Commander, 2nd Battalion, 10th Gurkha Rifles – Princess Mary’s Own, who had seen active service during the Second World War before being present in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. He would be awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 3rd July 1953 for his part in the ambush that lead to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Gurkha Rifles killing the notorious Chinese Communist Terrorist Foo Ah Kwong who Police held virtually responsible for every murder, act of sabotage, train-wrecking, vehicle-burning and rubber tree-slashing in the area during the last four and a half years. In the early stages of the ambush two Chinese terrorists were seen coming from the swamp and by good fire control of his section they were both killed. Thereafter his platoon routed the rest of the enemy out of the swamp, in an environment where everything was against them, moving through the swamp was physically demanding and gave away their positions. Nardhoj regularly exposed himself more than his colleague with disregard to his personal safety. In a search lasting two further hours, Nardhoj led and encouraged his men and was personally responsible for killing two further terrorists. His set a magnificent example to his section. The events of that day being reported widely in newspapers back in the United Kingdom.
Group of 3: Military Medal, EIIR, Br:Omn bust; (21142308 A/L/CPL. NARDHOL LIMBU. 10.G.R.) War Medal; General Service Medal 1918-1962, GVIR 2nd type bust, 1 Clasp: Malaya; (21142308 RFN. NARDHOJ LIMBU. 10. G.R.)
Condition: contact wear throughout, particularly affecting the ‘R’ of G.R. on the MM which is now faint, otherwise better than Very Fine
Along with 10th Gurkha Rifles Cap Badge and small glazed and framed Regimental Badge embroidered onto green cloth with ‘ENSOR’ in red lettering underneath.
Acting Lance Corporal (No. 21142308) Nardhol Limbu saw service with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Gurkha Rifles and would be awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 3rd July 1953, the recommendation for the award reading:
‘On 5th April 1953, No. 21142308 LCpl Nardhoj Limbu was a Section Commander in 12 Platoon, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha’ Rifles engaged in a search for a reported party of Chinese Terrorists in the Kulai area of Johore.
In the early stages, two Chinese Terrorists were seen coming from a swamp and by good fire control of his section these two were killed. Thereafter his platoon was engaged in routing the enemy out of this swamp. Everything was in the enemy’s favour; they had not disclosed their strength or dispositions and were fighting back vigorously; the swamp was deep and muddy and any movement through the long grasses and thick undergrowth was not only a severe physical effort but disclosed one's position to the enemy. Lance Corporal Nardhoj was always well forward leading his men in this search and with complete disregard of his personal safety selected as his line that of a small stream running through the swamp, which whilst it was generally overgrown exposed him to view more than anyone. In this search lasting more than two hours, this young NCO led and encouraged his men and was personally responsible for killing two further terrorists. His intense desire to get to grips with the enemy and his personal bravery and example were a magnificent example to his section’
The Scotsman Newspaper in Edinburgh on 6th April 1953 published further information on the action:
‘Gurkhas Shoot 7 Terrorists – Malaya Swamp Battle
A communist leader was among seven terrorists killed by a patrol of the 2/10th Gurkhas in the Kulai area of Johore this morning. He was Foo Ah Kwong, member of the Johore State committee of the Communist terrorist organisation. Another killed was Chor Ning, secretary of the Singkang branch of the organisation.
General Sir Gerald Templer, High Commissioner in Malaya sent the commanding officer of the Battalion a congratulatory message on a ‘very successful action’ Another terrorist was killed today by a unit of the Somerset Light Infantry.
The seven killed in the Kulai area were picked off one by one in an ambush laid by the Gurkhas under Major P.O. Myers of Kensington, London. Acting on the information they laid the ambush early this morning in a swamp almost 12 miles from Johore Bahru, opposite Singapore Island. Major Myers tonight said that the action last two hours, during which two platoons of Gurkhas surrounded and thoroughly searched the swamp into which the terrorists had walked. Arms and ammunition were recovered. He said the killing of Foo ah Kwong ended a vendetta with the battalion which had been going on since 1950.
Police said that Foo was virtually responsible for every murder, act of sabotage, train wrecking, vehicle burning and rubber tree slashing in the area during the last four and a half years. An official communique said two of the terrorists killed were women.’
