Captain Ram Bahadur Limbu, the last living British Gurkha recipient of The Victoria Cross, died aged 83 on Saturday. He was undergoing treatment at the Lalitpur-based Mediciti Hospital. He breathed his last at 3:45am, according to the hospital.

In November 1965, at just 26 years, Limbu acted with bravery and valour on the battlefield during the Borneo Confrontation.

Serving in the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles, Limbu rescued two of his men while under intense enemy fire. After securing their safety, he returned to the attack to fight valiantly against enemy soldiers.

For his actions that day, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Limbu with the Victoria Cross, one of the highest and most prestigious awards for gallantry, at Buckingham Palace in 1966.

Limbu had also received The Royal Victorian Order—Member (MVO), the order conferred for extraordinary, important or personal services to the British sovereign.

Limbu is survived by his second wife Punimaya and four sons, according to his granddaughter Ninamma Limbu.