Bhanbhagta Gurung was born in Phalpu, a small hill village in western Nepal in the district of Gorkha in September 1921.

[1] His battalion was withdrawn from the line after the expedition for several months of training and refitting, and redeployed in March 1944 in Arakan in the 25th Indian Infantry Division, fighting down the Mayu Range towards Akyab.

[citation needed] In February 1945, the 25th Indian Division landed at Ru-ywa, as a diversion from the offensive by General Sir William Slim's Fourteenth Army towards Mandalay, and advanced to the Irrawaddy River through the An pass, held by the Japanese 54th Division from a number of hills.

[citation needed] Bhanbhagta Gurung was about 24 years old, and a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC: His regiment gained the battle honour "Tamandu" as a result of the engagement and he received his Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

[5] Soon after the war ended, Gurung's company commander tried to persuade him to continue serving, but he declined as he had a frail widowed mother as well as a young wife and children to take care of in Nepal.