Naik DALBAHADUR THAPA 2291

[chrisharley9]

This fellow has quite an unusual story. Details from CWGC

Name: DALBAHADUR THAPA

Nationality: Indian

Rank: Naik

Regiment: 4th Gurkha Rifles

Unit Text: 2nd Bn. attd. 1st Bn.

Date of Death: 27/05/1917

Service No: 2291

Additional information: Son of Ranbir Thapa, of Gadgao, Pithoragarh, Almora, United Provinces.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 1.B.7.

Cemetery: SLOBOZIA MILITARY CEMETERY

Cemetery: SLOBOZIA MILITARY CEMETERY

Country: Romania

Locality: unspecified

Location Information: Slobozia is a town on the Jalomitza (Ialomita), 65 kilometres east of Bucharest. The Commonwealth War Graves Plot is situated in what is well known locally as the 'Heroes Cemetery'.

Historical Information: Slobozia Military Cemetery was made in 1920 by the Rumanian Government for the reburial of those Indian soldiers, captured by the Germans and sent to work in Rumania, who died in captivity. The majority, mainly Gurkhas, died at Morile and Marculesci, to the east of Slobozia. The cemetery contains 83 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, eight of them unidentified.

No. of Identified Casualties: 75

The question is where were these chaps captured & why did the Germans employ them in Rumainia.

All The Best

Chris

[chrisharley9]

Photo of cemetery courtesy CWGC

[Stephen Nulty]

An interesting cemetery. I also note from CWGC that the last date of death in Slobozia is a Navy AB, one James Gadd, who died on 17/10/1920.

There are also 4 RNAS Petty Officers who all died between 24/04/1917 and 30/04/1917.

The reminder of the identified casualties are all Gurkhas.

Some sad tales to be told.