Sunday 26 April 2009

Have the Brits Betrayed the Gurkhas?

DHAMPUS, NEPAL - MARCH 15:  World War II Gurkh...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

A small treasure in my insanely extensive book collection is a thin volume called ‘Clangers’, a collection of Second World War anecdotes about cock-ups, misunderstandings and SNAFUs in the British forces.

One of the stories in the book relates to the Gurkhas, the fierce, tough kukri-wielding soldiers from the Himalayas that have long been valued by the British Army for their remarkable tenacity, courage and loyalty.

They are, incidentally, to be found in Oman among other places, where they have had a long history of service.

Their officer announced to the men on parade that there was to be a difficult and dangerous mission behind enemy lines. So much so, that it had been decided to ask for volunteers. They were to be flown in Lancaster bombers and dropped from a height of tens of thousands of feet far behind the front line – and would have to fight their way back.

When he finished, he asked any man who wished to volunteer to take one step forwards. Not one man moved – a massive shock to the officer. Then the light dawned and he announced that parachutes would be provided – the entire regiment took one step forwards to a man.

Apocryphal or not, it’s a story that epitomises the bravery of the Gurkhas and the respect in which they are held. Even to enter the regiment requires an amazing degree of toughness – recruits are required to run uphill for 40 minutes carrying over 30Kg of rocks in a rucksack.

But the 200-years of service and bravery the Gurkhas have given Britain are not, apparently, valued by the British government, which is refusing to grant the right to settle in the UK to Gurkha soldiers. Despite a court ruling last September that specifically gave the Gurkhas that right, the government continues to evade its responsibilities – including a new document that limits the right of settlement to those who have served over 20 years in the regiment. Only officers, therefore, would qualify – a rifleman is not permitted to serve more than 15 years.

More here, including a petition that you can sign up to (your voice apparently doesn’t quite count for as much if you’re non-resident, but don’t let that stop you!). Do feel free to lend your voice to the many appalled citizens of the UK who do not associate themselves with the government’s craven and indefensible filibustering, prevarication and duplicity in dealing with people that have given the country such service.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

7 comments:

hut said...

Now, running uphill with 30grammes of rock in a rucksack is something even I could manage!

Alexander said...

*sigh*

Rose in Dubai said...

Absolutely disgusting and embarrassing. And particularly galling when you see the kind of people the UK government does allow to settle there.

Seabee said...

Have the Brits Betrayed the Gurkhas?YES

Phillipa said...

Not British, but disgusted nonetheless. Because my grandmother was born in Britain in 1900 I am entitled to UK residency and subsequent citizenship if I so desire. I've never done anything for Britain apart from watch Blackbooks and Dr Who and eat digestive biscuits (chocolate coated of course).
I risk being called a Brit basher, but it's so bloody typical. Colonise the world and then tell your decendents to bugger off.

Anonymous said...

Yep Britain has completely shat on these Gurkhas. It is so rude, so disgusting and so ungrateful. 'Risk your lives and die protecting our country..now could you bugger off back where you came from please?'

Britain is going down the drains, for all the wrong reason. An increasingly insular society, weak social structure, I don't know why immigrants bother. They should go somewhere else where their hard work and input is more appreciated.

Dubai Jazz said...

Finally, the Brits haven't betrayed the Gurkhas!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8023882.stm

It makes sense. The entrants at the French Foreign Legion has the option of voluntary discharge and full citizenship after 5 years of service. NOT 20 YEARS!

From The Dungeons

Book Marketing And McNabb's Theory Of Multitouch

(Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I clearly want to tell the world about A Decent Bomber . This is perfectly natural, it's my latest...