Gurkhas... News to break

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:44

Just listening to BBC Radio 4 and an immanent announcement is to be made by the Government.



Richard

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:05

No final decision made, Brown reneges on talks with Ms Lumley yesterday! Surprise Surprise!



Richard

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:14

Chaos, send Brown back to North of Hadrian's Wall and lets have another divided Island!



Richard

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:22

I agree !!!

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:26

Its in Scotlands best interest, except for getting Gordon back of course

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:06

What about the accent and change of language to Gaelic? Think Brussels could handle another one?



Richard

karakum5c



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 1021

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:38

The Scots have done nothing that deserves the return of our illustrious Prime Minister saviour of the universe Flash Gordon. Is there not a space shuttle we can send to Mars that he could go on as the worlds ambassador, i am sure he would go quite willingly after he is the saviour of mankind the lords annointed.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:40

Who cares? This Bulletin Board is for/about Northern Cyprus.

Arthur


Joined: 04/11/2008
Posts: 687

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:58

Yeah, but you still looked DC

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:00

Dutch Crusader, we thought the board was for what everyone wanted to discuss, pass comment on, as you did when you visited another forum in the South. Does that mean there is one rule for you and everyone else has to toe the line - your line!

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:25

Hans' line is not a white 'line' one but a hemp Dutch Cafe situated somewhere in the mountains!



Richard

Bootz


Joined: 16/01/2009
Posts: 46

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 00:19

Msg 10 - Agree with you, It should be for a mixture of topics and not just people here in Cyprus, but I also think we're tracking off a bit from the point re the Gurkas - I think it's terrable that they can be refused after all their back up and hard work for us - lets face it, the Uk seem to give everything away to other imigrants etc....!!!

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 00:46

Here is the link from the BBC News if anyone is interested?

What a gutsey lady Joanna Lumley is.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8037181.stm

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 01:00

Hi taa I agree with you . To stick u for these wonderful people. i agree wholeheartly with her sentiment. they should be allowed to stay xxxxxxxxxxx just to let you know my kids call me Patsy after abfab only because i demand Bolly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 01:15

Lilli, one of my favourite shows AbFab. I can relate to that especially the one where Adena was 40. I just wondered if they were watching and observing the antics of my girlie birthday parties! We are so naughty.

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 07:52

The Gurkas...we should be pleading with them to come and live in the UK..what a fine upstanding bunch of self effacing heroes they are....I think Jo Lumley is heading for a career in politics and I think she would be the only one with morals and integrity.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 08:06

Ms Lumley's got my vote (and Garry Monger's)





Nick

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 21:01

I don't get all this fuss about the Gurkhas. They are mercenaries, they fight for money, not love of England. The average income in Nepal is 300 pounds per annum. A private in the Gurkha regiment is paid 16500 pounds per annum. Last year the regiment needed 200 recruits, there were 17500 applicants. When interviewed not one of the applicants expressed any love of England. All they spoke about was the better life they would have for themselve and their families. They said that all young men dreamed of joining up as a way out of poverty.

I signed he online petition. I think the ex Gurkhas should be allowed to settle here given the state of immigration now. I just can't see why Joanna Lumley is banging such a big drum on their behalf.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 21:17

Sorry Minetor.

They were not asked to fight for ENGLAND !!!!!

They were recruited for the BRITISH or UNITED KINGDOM forces. So why the hell should they express a love for England.

Furthermore ask anyone that fought with them including my dad before he died in WW2 and they will tell you that they were and are worth their wight in gold.

Did you fight for glorious England Minetor????

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 21:26

Sorry dad din't die in WW2 he died in Oct 2004 just as we left UK to come and live here, but fought in WW2 for the BRITISH ARMY. Not the English army

Fred8


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 21:42

Minetor

The difference between a G and a mercenary is that the former once enlisted in the British army will honour his pledge even if t means forfieting his own life for 'Queen and Country' notwithstanding the fact that he does not have ties to the UK which should compell him to do that. The fact is that the G's have on numerous occasions given the ultimate price of this loyalty and the this argument is not based on hypothesis or of the imgination of G 'lovers'. I may not be wrong but I think they have been awared Victory crosses for more relative to to their numbers in the army

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 21:53

My late Father was conscripted into the British Army in 1939 and came home in 1946. He was a Desert Rat. He never, ever, talked about the war,only to say that the G's were the finest body of men he had every encountered. He also said the same about Hitler's Afrika Corp (please forgive spelling).



My Dad was a very honourable man and I do not believe he would have said this if he did not believe it to be true - he was a very private man who did not discuss his emotions, but he only had VERY good things to say about these soldiers.



J

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 22:04

Thanks Fred 8 and The-Wicks for your sentiments. I must have sounded like a raving mad Scot (which I probaby am)



Minertor Just got my back up by saying they fought as merceneries for England.



I am BRITISH and proud of it although born and brought up Scottish, and the gurkhas fought for GB or the UK whatever is your preference.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 22:24

Brinsley aka Richard

How many divided islands do you want ?

Just look at Ireland and its history and also the history here in Cyprus.

Would you really want that again!!!!

Chris

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 00:50

Don't suppose the Falklands counts as a war with most, just a skirmish, mebbe that's why I didn't see any Gurkhas.

Don't misunderstand what I said, I also think that they make brave, loyal soldiers. That doesn't alter the fact that they are mercenaries, and having received their pay, and medals, they have had their full entitlements.

In today's Sun, who claim to be in the forefront of the Gurkha appeal they were clapping themselves on the back for getting permission for 150,000 Nepalese to settle in UK. On the previous page they were campaigning for immigration th be cut by 80%. What good does the Sun think that 150,000 geriatric Nepalese will do to benefit the UK economy.

I signed the petition to let them in, my heart over-ruling my head, but that doesn't make it good for UK, does it? Or aren't we bothered about the country we love.

ps We shouldn't claim ownership of the Falklands either, all them dead Argy kids, because that's what they were, kids.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 10:00

minertor,

The Falklands did count as a war and the Gurkhas were not allowed to go there untill the fighting had almost ceased, that was a political move alone! They still went in at the very end and took a great part in mine clearance and other duties. I have been with these people many times in different parts of the world and would say that they are the finest and most honerable fighting men I have ever come across.

Your thoughts that they are mercenaries is quite beyond my understanding I am afraid, would you also place all the Scottish/Irish/Welch regiments in the same basket - they don't fight for England so they must just be in it for the money????? The Gurkhas fight for the Queen because the British Army could not defeat them on the battle field but would not stop trying, and for that they honour the British Army by fighting alongside them.



The Falklands is another tale - give it back to the FIC, pull out our troops and let them get on with it.

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 10:07

I agree with Waddo i to was in the falklands & the Gurkha played a vital role as ambulance drivers & medics.

They also fought on the front line along with the infantry.

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 10:13

Message25,

I suggest you read The Falklands War, a publication by Marshall Cavendish before making wild statements.

The Gurkhas went into the Falklands on June 1st 1982. The Royal Gurkha Rifles are serving alongside British Troops now in Afganistan, they are an integral part of the British Army, and are well respected by both serving and retired military personnel, and deserve the same benefits. They have pride and would be less of a drain on the system than most of the British claiming benefits, and that includes British living here in Kibris.

As for UK, the country "we" love, I hate the place, and last went there 10 years ago for my Mother's funeral, and vowed never to return. I had not seen it for 16 years, and it was in serious decline then.

I'd love to have Gurkhas as my neighbours, enough said.

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 10:17

Well said Louthlass,

Sunnycee


Joined: 18/05/2009
Posts: 192

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 11:40

Joanna Lumley has just been on BBC news after her meeting

She had a big smiley face and said things went well - Statement to be made later

sc

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 15:06

Great news the Gurkha have been given permission to have domicile in the UK.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 16:29

They have won this fight YES. Good for Jonna Lumley we need more like her xxxxx

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 16:44

Get rid of 50000 illegal immigrants,which should not be to difficult as most of them were demonstrating on the streets the other day,saying they had been here over 5years and should be allowed to say,and we can make these honourable men welcome.My father fought along side them,and he said that the Germans were petrified of them,especially when they drew their blade.They say they have to draw blood before they can resheath it,so I suppoese old jerry new what was coming.Mercenaries my ass,they fought with distinction for this country and will no doubt continue to do so if called upon....

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 17:42

There are many precedents for divided Islands, Timor another example. What about NZ, a chap from the UK found a stretch of water and named it after himself, Cook Strait, well that did a lot of good for the Maoris and the Waitangi Treaty! Think he was suffering from megalomania?!



Richard

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:03

Waddo, can quite believe it's beyond your understanding, you sound like one of those who think that John Wayne liberated the Phillipines . Look at the facts (not you Nurseawful, waste of time, that), don't be fooled by the romanticism that surrounds the Gurkhas. Remember today if you're still around in 20 years time, we will have left a legacy for our children and grandchildren that will won't be pretty, or romantic.

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:49

During the war in Nepal in 1841, the British failed to annex Nepal as part of the Empire but Army Officers were impressed by the tenacity of the Gurkha soldiers and encouraged them to volunteer for the East India Company.



Gurkhas served as troops of the East India Company in the Pindaree War of 1817, in Bharatpur in 1826, and the First and Second Sikh Wars in 1846 and 1848. During the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the Gurkha regiments remained loyal to the British, and became part of the British Indian Army on its formation. The 2nd Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) defended Hindu Rao's house for over three months, losing 327 out of 490 men. The 60th King's Royal Rifle Corps (later part of the Royal Green Jackets) fought alongside the Sirmoor Rifles and were so impressed that following the mutiny they insisted 2nd Gurkhas be awarded the honours of adopting their distinctive rifle green uniforms with scarlet edgings and rifle regiment traditions and that they should hold the title of riflem

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:50

Tul Bahadur Pun VC won the Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in the 3rd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles. He is 1 of only 10 living recipients* of this country's highest award for valour. However, the British Government has refused 84 year-old Mr Pun VC's application to settle in the UK, to seek urgently needed medical treatment, on the grounds that Mr Pun VC "failed to demonstrate strong ties with the UK".



Of the 10 living holders* of the Victoria Cross, one-third of them are Gurkhas (3 living VC winners). In all, 26 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Gurkha Regiments for acts of extreme bravery in the face of the enemy (13 VCs having been awarded to Nepali Gurkhas). 45,000 Gurkhas have died fighting for Britain. 150,000 Gurkhas have been seriously wounded on battlefields defending our freedom. The Gurkhas have given 200 years loyal service to the British people. In fact, if there was a minute silence for every Gurkha wounded in World War II alone, we would have to stay silen

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:52

PRESS STATEMENT BY TUL BAHADUR PUN VC







WHEN I ARRIVE IN THE UK I WILL NOT LEAVE MY GURKHA COMMRADES BEHIND







2 June 2007 Pokhara Nepal







First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the British people for granting me the privilege to come and live amongst them in a country which I have fought for and love. I am overjoyed to learn that I have finally been allowed the right to settle and live in the UK. I could not sleep last night, as I was so happy with the news that Great Britain would be allowing me to come and get the medical treatment which is so lacking for many veteran Gurkhas in Nepal.







I would also like to make it clear that this victory would not have been made possible without the overwhelming and generous support of the Great British Public; my brothers and sisters in arms in the British Armed Forces both past and present; the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation (GAESO); Joanna Lumley; Jay Miller; the British press and media; and

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:53

my solicitors Howe & Co . I am humbled by the thousands of emails in support of me and the Gurkhas, that continue to flood into the website set up for me: http://www.vchero.co.uk . I have been moved of the accounts of the very many the telephone calls and letters of support sent by those, who like me, do not have access to computers.





I will never forget the 45,000 Gurkhas killed in battle fighting along side our British friends, nor will I ever forget my British brothers and sisters who have laid-down their lives fighting alongside the Brigade of Gurkhas in numerous theatres of war over the last 200 years. In life it is the greatest honour to be a Gurkha, because it is the greatest honour to serve the British people and our Brigade. When I come to be with the British people, I will do my best to be a credit to Britain and to help the plight of my fellow Victoria Cross winners who live in poverty in Nepal. It is saddening that so many brave men of my Brigade have to rely on charity to get

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:54

to rely on charity to get their basic living and health needs.





I do not ask anything of Britain, or its people, save to help me get a little medical care now that I am old. However, I do have one request for your country, a country which I love so much, and that is to ask if your great country can please look at the plight of my veteran Gurkha comrades in arms, and the injustices they continue to face when asking for their rights to come to Britain and the continuing injustice of unequal pensions for those, like me, who have fought for British freedom against the forces of tyranny but happened to have retired from the British Army before 1997.

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:55

never left any of my comrades on the battlefield, British or Gurkha, and I will not abandon my veteran Gurkha comrades now in their hour of need, when I come to live in Great Britain.



From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply touched by the support shown to me by the people of Great Britain, and across the world, and I give you my most solemn thanks.







Sincerely,



Tul Bahadur Pun VC

Pokhara

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 21:59

thats for you minertor. have a bit of respect, i have served all other the world with them and belive me they are more loyal than most british, whats wrong with then seeking out a better life... thats what you have done you disrespectful A...hole

neil

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 22:03

minertor,

Now your ramblings begin to make sense when you equate your statements to John Wayne movies - go back to the library and learn the names of those who fought and died in the name of the United Kingdom down the ages, don't forget that you would name them all as mercenairies because they all took the Queens money. Try and name them if you wish, that Canadians, the Poles, the Israelies, the Dutch, The French, the list goes on and on. Where do you draw the line about who is a mercenairy (because they fight for money) and who is not?



Glad to see the the Gurkhas have won the right to settle and live in the UK! Proud to class them as my friends! Would work and fight alongside them again at anytime, sure in the knowledge that I could turn my back towards them and not risk "friendly fire".

kimandneil1


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
21/05/2009 23:21

back to the top

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 00:10

What about ANZAC troops?



Richard

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 00:36

I my honest opinion I think its justice these people have stood by us arm to arms shoulder to shoulder and have been very proud to do so. They are an amazing regiment and Im proud to have been a little part of their lives. Im so happy that they can stay. xxxxxxxxxxx

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 01:10

Never said I didnt respect them, I'm just not blinded by the romanticism that surrounds them. I was born in Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon. I joined the British Army because it gave me dual nationality. It didn't give dual nationality to he rest of my family. My wife was refused entry into the US because she didn't have a visa, I didn't need one.

The Gurkhas should have been accorded the same. They weren't.

One of my best friends is a German national, I'm sure he'd laugh at coachies comment about th German soldiers "being petrified, especially when they drew the blade". As any modern fighting man will tell you Coachie, as you obviously haven't been there, the "blade", as most soldiers blades, were used mainly for much more mundane tasks than killing the enemy. That went out with the single shot carbine. Bayonet charges belong on the big screen, not on a modern battlefield, even a 70 year old battlefield.

Kimandneil1, anonimity makes a great shield. bury a few, then have my dreams,

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 06:31

The blade as you affectionately put it, in the Gurkhas case is a Kukurhi not a bayonet , this is carried as well as .

As Coachie said a few years ago when it left its sheath they had to draw blood with it .

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 07:04

Aya Gurkhali.

BeeBop


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 70

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 07:33

My father was an ex Gurkha officer, what a proud day that they have now been given there right to stay in a country which they have fought to keep British. My family have campaigned for Gurkha rights, we have raised thousands of pounds for the Gurkha Welfare fund to support ex Gurkhas and there families in Nepal.

Christmas and weekends were such happy times when we would have Gurkhas to stay in our home from the local garrison, what a lovely childhood having brave soldiers in our home, there smiles, there laughter and there innocent endeering ways. They still keep in touch and address us as part of there family.

I had tears in my eyes last night as I watched them go into number 10, my father has Alzheimers and does not now understand very much, but he would be so happy to see what has now happened.

Maybe the hoards of immigrants who are receiving every benefit under the sun from the UK government could be removed and replaced by honourable and happy people like the Gurkhas

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 09:23

Typical little Englander mentality. Let the Gurkhas in because I like them, but keep out the "hoards of immigrants who are receiving every benefit etc". Just what do you think all these Gurkha "extras" are coming here for, the climate?. I suppose I'm an immigrant. I suppose I could also be classed as a mercenary, but to me both terms are used to describe, not insult a person.

R.C.T. man, I've always called it a Kukri, and it's a load of bull about having to draw blood before re-sheathing, cutting one's own thumb if need be. I have two of these "blades". One is only 15 inches long, the other is over 2 feet, much heavier and with two very small ones on the back of the sheath. I can't remember how I came by the larger one but I got the smaller one for a pack of cigs. Not romantic really but used to be a talking point when I had them on he wall. Think they're in the garage somewhere now.

BeeBop


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 70

Message Posted:
22/05/2009 14:41

The mentality is certainly not little Englander, unlike some I have spent time living abroad being born abroad, mixing with every nationality, culture and background. Having lived in the TRNC for 15 years, My partner of 8 years is Turkish no British Passport there, visa required when we visit. We certainly do not take from the UK state, but take offence when foreigners can travel to the UK and get every benefit they require immediately and my family and I have to wait 6 months or longer to receive anything. But then we have paid into the system for years, so you are not entitled to receive anything but your family are still taxed in the UK because you live abroad and you are not entitled to personal allowance as you are an expat. But hey maybe we are too honest and the authorities are aware we live abroad. More fool us.

Please tell me if the floods of people who enter Britain would actually do anything for Britain and could live on the minimum pension to survive. I dont think so.