LT COL LALBAHADUR PUN OBE MC MEMORIAL SERVICE
HELD AT POKHARA GURKHA MEMORIAL MUSEUM 23rd FEBRUARY 2026
By Major Yambahadur Gurung BEM
On 23 February 2026On a sunny clear day, some 30 SCN veterans including some of their ladies gathered at about 0830 hours at the Gurkha Memorial Museum (GMM) Pokhara.
Coincidentally 23rd February is the Regimental Day commemorating the 1st Battalion’s crossing of the River Tigris in 1917. Our historical Lal Gate life size replica at the GMM could not have been better as the background to display large prints of 1st Bn crossing the River Tigris and of Havildar Bhanubhakta Gurung who won the VC at Tamandu. These pictures were displayed just below the life size statue of the Gurkha soldier carrying a machine gun. In a corner was placed a large photo of Late Lt Col Lalbahadur Pun OBE MC.
SCN Chairman, Captain Bharatsing Thapa Chhetri presided closely supported by the SCN Advisor, Major Yambahadur Gurung BEM. The event was coordinated by SCN Pokhara Chairman Capt Karnabahadur Thapa and assisted by the Secretary Capt Hikmat Gurung. Once members arrived in their smart regimental blazer with full medals, they stood in an arc in front of the Lal Gate with the ladies.
Major Lachhimprasad Gurung MVO BEM first read the details of the 1916 Tigris Battle Honour followed By Major Dilbahadur Gurung MVO who read the 1945 Tamandu Day Battle Honour. The Last Post call was first played loudly on a digital audio player as we lacked a bugler but this was sufficient. The veterans wearing their Durbar hat and saluting to respect those who took part in the battles looked somber but proud. One minute silence was followed by a Reveille. Then Chairman SCN laid the wreath on behalf of the Sirmoor Rifles. Then GMM Chairman Capt Karna with Major Yam Past Chairman and GMM Advisor laid a wreath on behalf of the museum.
Finally, Major Yam read Late Lt Col Lalbahadur Pun’s obituary loudly over the speaker which was for a short period nearly threatened by deafening music that followed a political party election rally going past the museum. A BFBS audio recording of an interview with Capt Krishnabahadur Rana who was in Col LB’s company during the battle at Long Pasia when the OC was awarded the MC was played at the end. Capt Krishna who was present explained that in such harsh condition how Col LB then a young officer lead the company and he himself experienced firing live rounds during the sudden attack that the OC had decided leading to 13 enemy dead and the rest running away. Then SCN Chairman and Major Yam laid flowers in front of Col LB’s photograph. At the end, Capt Bharat who was Col LB’s company clerk during the Borneo Confrontation recollected his experience when he felt how far Col LB would go to look after his soldiers making sure they were fed well but that he would be such a strict boss when a soldier made a major mistake. Capt Karna also added his experience when he too was a young clerk in Col LB’s company and found him to be a robust leader and no one would dare make a mistake in his company.
The gathering ended with a short tea break with snack in the Burlison Hall where everyone admired the beautifully made recent addition to the museum building and viewed some of the 2GR silver on display. SCN Chairman finally ended the event by thanking Chairman GMM for allowing the SCN to use the museum facilities.
Photos of the event: