Sher Bahadur Thapa (20 November 1921-19 September 1944) was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 22 years old, and a Rifleman in the 9th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 18/19 September 1944 at San Marino, Italy, when a company of the 9th Gurkha Rifles encountered bitter opposition from a German prepared position, Rifleman Sher Bahadur Thapa and his section commander, who was afterwards badly wounded, charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun. The rifleman then went on alone to the exposed part of a ridge where, ignoring a hail of bullets, he silenced more machine-guns, covered a withdrawal and rescued two wounded men before he was killed.

The original article on "The London Gazette"

Field Marshal Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, presents the posthumous Victoria Cross to the mother of Rifleman Sher Bahadur Thapa

The following soldiers of the 1^st Batt. 9^th Gurkha Rifles, 4^th Indian Division, 8^th British Army died on or in vicinity of Monte Pulito (Pt 366) and Serra di Sopra (Pt 343), Faetano (Republic of San Marino) on 18^th September 1944 while fighting against German troops of the 1^st Batt. 992^nd Regg 278^th Inf. Division 10^th German Army. They are buried at the Rimini Gurkha War Cemetery sited along Highway SS72 Rimini-San Marino.

BHAGTA BAHADUR  KHATTRI, 102255, Rifleman, age 18, son of Bai Bahadur and Chandramaya, of Khatti, Tilpungkhatti, No 3 East, Nepal, plot IV, row E, grave 11;

DAL BAHADUR BANIYA, 998800, Rifleman, age 21, son of Harka Bahadur and Ujeli, of Pula, 4000 Parbat, Gulmi, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 10;

DHAN SUR KHATTRI, 100772, Rifleman, age 21, son of Ghane and Ammi, of Bamruk, Argha, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 9;

DOR SING BURATHOKI, 2583, Rifleman, age 25, son of  Kuber Sing and Harikala, of Hangspur, Argha, Gulmi,Nepal, husband of Lachhi, of Hangspur, plot VI, row D, grave 21;

KABI BAHADUR KARKI, 102267, Rifleman, age 20, son of Budhiman, of Chamtung, Puwakisang, Bhojpur, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 5;

KAMAN SING KHATTRI, 1919, Jemadar, age 31, son of Dhanraj, husband of Mandari,of Nipani, Baglung, 4000 Parbat, Gulmi, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 5;

KARNA BAHADUR MALL, 2718, Rifleman, age 23, son of Dai Bahadur and Kulmari, of Pharkedhunga, Mallajha, 4000 Parbat, No 4 West, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 3;

KHARK BAHADUR THAPA, 2937, Rifleman, age 21, son of Dil Bahadur and Bhumakumari, of Thalung, Musikot, Gulmi, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 8;

LACHHMI BAHADUR CHETTRI, 101723, Rifleman, age 22, son of Banibilas, husband of Blakumari, of Dumre, Rawadanre, No 3 East, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 4;

MAN BAHADUR MALL, 104751, Rifleman, age 21, son of Ranu and Mannara,of Hile, Payung, No 4 West, Nepal, plot VI, row D, grave 20; 

NAR BAHADUR KHATTRI, 102062, Rifleman, age 23, son of Budhi Bahadur and Sumitra, husband of Kali, of Ditho, Rajasthal, No 2 West, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 17;

PARAS BAHADUR THAPA, 10239, Rifleman, age 23, son of Kul Bahadur and Bhima,of Karkakot, Galkot, Gulmi, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 1;

RAN BAHADUR KHATTRI, 2984, Rifleman, age 22, son of Tek Bahadur and Maudhari, of Kokhe, Banethok, No 4 West, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 6;

SHER BAHADUR SAHI, 102396, Rifleman, age 20, son of Nar Bahadur and Batu, of Parajuli, Tirkule-Hekh, Dailekh, Nepal, plot VI, row D, grave 22;

SHER BAHADUR THAPA VC, 104756, Rifleman, age 23, son of Randhoj and Lachhima, of Ghalechhap, Jyamruk, Nepal, plot VI, row E, grave 7;

On the same day died as well near Monte Pulito the following British officer of 1/9GR who is buried at Coriano Ridge War Cemetery.

COSTELOE, Major, NORMAN CECIL (“TUBBY”), M C,  EC/5934, age 21, son of Revd. Frederick Charles Costeloe M.A. and Margaret Louise Costeloe, of Staveley Vicarage, Lancashire. Plot IV, row G, grave 3.