Major D.G. (Dennis) Francis
6th/8th Gurkha Rifles and Detachment 101
L-R:- Major B.K. Tambay, Adjutant, Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirshaw, Commanding Officer, Major J.H. Mingail, 2nd in Command, Major D. Francis, Quartermaster
6th Batt. 8th Gurkha Rifles
Seated:- Lt. Prithipal Singh, Sub. Ramsingh Thapa, Major B.K. Temby, Sub-Major Dewansing Ghale,
Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirsbaw, Major J.H. Mingail, Sub. Ranbahadur Thapa, Major D.G. Francis, Sub. Kaboolsingh Khattri. 2nd Row:- Jem. Manbir Thapa, Sub. Lokbahadur Gurung, Sub. Manu Pun, Sub. Shamshersing Thapa, Sub. Tekbahadur Pun, Sub. Birbahadur Thapa, Jem. Kharam Ghale, Jem. H.C. Rajindra Chand, Sub. Gangbahadur Thapa. 3rd Row:- Hav. Jagbir Thapa, CHM Dhanbahadur Gurung, CHM Bahadur Mall, Edn. Jem. Sardarilal Sharma, Jem. Hombahadur Rana, Jem. Juthare Gurung, Jem. (Adjt.) Ransingh Gurung, BHM Teka Gurung, CHM Manibhagta Pun, CQMH Gore Thapa, CHM Jamansing Gurung. 4th Row:- CQMH Indrabahadur Pun, 7275 CQMH Manbahadur Gurung, CHM Jaharsing Gurung, CQMH Rajendra Chetti, CQMH Bhadrabahadur Pun, CQMH Lelbahadur Pun. Taken at Lucknow. |
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Detachment 101 was a joint British/US clandestine guerrilla warfare operation. Major Francis was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded The American Legion of Merit. He and others appear in two books, that we know of, together with some of the exploits of this unit, one extract can be found on the ABL website here and the other can be found in the book "Behind the Burma Road" an extract of which can be found on page 8 on this website. |
Legion of Merit Award, published in the London Gazette, 19th Nov. 1948
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Letter of reference, Aug. 1949, from his Commanding Officer Lt.-Col. Nadirshaw, 6/8th Gurkha Rifles
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Citation for the Legion of Merit, signed by Harry Truman at The White House, Washington
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These Baptism and Birth certificates are family treasures and also reminders that four of his family died on the trek.
His parents,Joe and Mildred, (Milly), his elder sister Terry who was 29 and his brother Ronnie just 15 years old.
His parents,Joe and Mildred, (Milly), his elder sister Terry who was 29 and his brother Ronnie just 15 years old.