Letter: Victoria Cross

I WOULD like to correct J S Lehrant's claim (Letters, 13 March). Lieutenant Corporal Ram Bahadur Limbu won his Victoria Cross in 1966, in action against Indonesia.

The Victoria Cross cannot be awarded for action against domestic insurgents, which precludes the Communist rebellion in Malaya of 1949-60. This also explains why it has never been awarded to British servicemen in Northern Ireland. It can be awarded for courage beyond the call of duty in the face of the enemy.

I am writing to set the record straight because I had the privilege, briefly, of knowing Lt Cpl Limbu, an unassuming family man, during my own service in Malaysia.

P Hunter

London N5