Royal Mail issued a set of ten stamps on 1 May 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, celebrating the heroic efforts of individuals who served during the conflict. Among them is a stamp featuring Bhanbhagta Gurung, who served with the Gurkhas in Burma.
Sergeant Bhanbhagta Gurung (1921–2008), born in Nepal, served with distinction in Burma during the Second World War. He joined the Gurkha Rifles in 1940 and was part of Operation Longcloth in 1943, the first long-range mission deep into Japanese-occupied Burma. In 1945, during fierce fighting near Tamandu, he displayed extraordinary bravery in clearing enemy positions under fire—a feat for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His heroic actions in Burma remain one of the most celebrated examples of Gurkha valour in the campaign. In recognition of his courage, the Gurkha training block at Catterick Camp in Yorkshire was named in his honour in 2000.
Royal Mail also released a collector’s sheet, featuring tabs alongside the stamps that depict images highlighting their roles. The tab accompanying the stamp of Bhanbhagta Gurung includes a map of operations during the Arakan Campaign in Burma. Similarly, the tab with the stamp honouring Mahinder Singh Pujji features an image of a fighter aircraft returning from a sortie over the Arakan.
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Both the stamp featuring Bhanbhagta Gurung and the complete collector’s sheet make meaningful and attractive additions to any Burma-themed philatelic collection. The technical details about the stamp are as below.
Stamp format: Landscape
Stamp size: 37mm x 35mm
Design: Supple Studio
Stamps per Sheet: 50
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Print process: Lithography
Perforations: 14 x 14.5
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA
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