Former Gurkhas and British soldiers reunite

More than 2,600 former British soldiers and Nepalese Gurkhas who served in the British army’s Second Gurkha Rifle regiment were reunited today in midwest Nepal to mark 10 years since the regiment was disbanded.

The unit was disbanded in 1994 before the British government returned Hong Kong, where most of them had been stationed, to China.

The men, some wearing worn-out uniforms decorated with medals, exchanged stories of their experiences fighting for the British Army around the world.

A military band played as the former soldiers marched inside the tightly guarded British Army Camp in Pokhara, about 125 miles west of Kathmandu.

Organisers kept the celebrations relatively low key because of security concerns. Nepal has been hit hard recently by a deadly Maoist rebel insurgency.

About 120 Britons who served in the regiment travelled to Nepal for the reunion, including Sir John Nott, who was Britain’s defence secretary during the Falklands war.

Nepalese Gurkha soldiers – known for their exceptional bravery and their motto, “It is better to die than live a coward” – have been serving in the British army since 1815. Nearly 3,600 Gurkhas still serve under the British flag.

One of the participants at today’s celebrations was Bhanu Bhakta Gurung, 82, a recipient of the coveted Victoria Cross – Britain’s highest military decoration given in recognition of exceptional valour.

“This is probably the last time I will get to see all my friends. This is my last chance,” Gurung said.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1945 after he served in Burma, now called Myanmar, which was then a British colony.

He said his three sons, now retired, also served in the British army.

The oldest participant was Bharati Gurung, 92, who served in the British forces between 1932 and 1960. He was even the personal bodyguard of the Queen. Father of six sons and two daughters, he said the money he earned in service helped pay for his children’s education.

“I am very excited to see my old friends and officers,” he said.

In the recent years, relations between the Gurkhas and the British military have been overshadowed by charges of discrimination.

Britain has increased pensions for the Gurkhas, but they are still only paid roughly a third of the amount given to retired British soldiers.

The British government argues that the pension is more than adequate for pensioners in Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries.