A commemorative postage stamp on the Golden Jubilee of the 3^rd & 5^th Battalions of 5^th Gorkha Rifles (FF) :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 1, 1990

Description of Designs : The Postage stamp and FDC are designed by Sh. R.N. Pasricha. Cancellation is made by Ms Nenu Gupta.

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Two Colour

Denomination : 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indigenous Un W/M Gravure Coated and Gummed Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 10,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure Process

Printed : India Security Press

About : 

• The 3^rd battalion of 5^th Gorkha Rifles was raised as 3/5 Royal Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) at Ferozepore on 28 November, 1916. In the First World War, the Battalion saw active service in Afghanistan and Mesopotamia. The Battalion was disbanded in 1921 and re-raised at Abbotabad on 1 October, 1940. During the Second World War, the Battalion served in Burma as part of 23 Inf. Div. and was awarded the Battle Honour ‘Tiddim’ for its outstanding action in the battle of Tiddim. The Battalion also took part in Post War Ops in Indonesia.
• After Independence the Battalion has seen action in a number of operations including the Hyderabad Operation and the Indo-Pak War, 1971. During this period, the Battalion has served on the Northern and Eastern Borders of the Country.
• Since it’s raising on 1 October, 1940 the Battalion has a proud tally of awards in various wars and operations.
• The 5^th battalion of 5^th Gorkha Rifles was raised on 1 October, 1940 as Third Battalion of the Sixth Gorkha Rifles at Abbotabad (West Pakistan). On 1 January 1948, the Battalion was re-designated as Fifth Battalion of the Fifth Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
• During the Second World War, the Battalion took part in the Chindit operations in Burma as part of 77 Independent Infantry Brigade under the Overall Command of General Wingate as Wingate’s “Special Force”. The Battalion showed exemplary bravery in capturing Mogaung on 23 June 1944 and won two Victoria Crosses in a single battle on the same day. The recipients were Captain Michael Allmand (Posthumous) and Rifleman Tul Bahadur Pun. The Battalion then took part in the Hyderabad action in 1948 and was awarded the first Ashoka Chakra Class I of free India. The recipient was Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa. Subsequently the Battalion acquitted itself extremely well in Nagaland during the 1965 operations. Since it’s raising on 1 October, 1940 the Battalion has a proud tally of awards in various wars and operations. The Battalion has been awarded Battle Honours Chindits, Mogaung and Sittang and Theatre Honours Burma and East Pakistan.
• Text Courtesy: Army Head Quarters.

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