Gurkhas!
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years with their motto "Better to die than be a coward" . They still carry into battle their traditional weapon - an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to "taste blood" - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath. The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded.
The ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups, the Gurungs and Magars from central Nepal, the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in villages of impoverished hill farmers. The soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal. The selection process has been described as one of the toughest in the world and is fiercely contested.
They came to be part of the British Army as a consequence of heavy casualties suffered by the British East India Company in the invasion of Nepal. The war ended with the signing of a peace treaty in 1816. which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy. About 5,000 men entered British service, most of whom were not just Gorkhalis but Kumaonis, Garhwalis and other Himalayan hill men. These groups, eventually lumped together under the term Gurkha, became the backbone of British Indian forces. [The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded.].
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the British Indian Army on its formation.
The Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 26 Victoria Crosses to date.
More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, in which 43,000 Gurkhas lost their lives. In the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Historically, Gurkhas who had served their time in the Army - a maximum of 30 years, and a minimum of 15 to secure a pension - were discharged back to Nepal. But now all retired Gurkhas have the right to live in the UK, following a high-profile campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles.
The Gurkhas are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone. They and their families have become part of the life of the town and there are now quite a number of businesses, shops and restaurants in the area operated by Nepalese. And if you like Indian food, you will love Nepalese food.
Gurkhas!
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years with their motto "Better to die than be a coward" . They still carry into battle their traditional weapon - an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to "taste blood" - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath. The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded.
The ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups, the Gurungs and Magars from central Nepal, the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in villages of impoverished hill farmers. The soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal. The selection process has been described as one of the toughest in the world and is fiercely contested.
They came to be part of the British Army as a consequence of heavy casualties suffered by the British East India Company in the invasion of Nepal. The war ended with the signing of a peace treaty in 1816. which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy. About 5,000 men entered British service, most of whom were not just Gorkhalis but Kumaonis, Garhwalis and other Himalayan hill men. These groups, eventually lumped together under the term Gurkha, became the backbone of British Indian forces. [The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded.].
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the British Indian Army on its formation.
The Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 26 Victoria Crosses to date.
More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, in which 43,000 Gurkhas lost their lives. In the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Historically, Gurkhas who had served their time in the Army - a maximum of 30 years, and a minimum of 15 to secure a pension - were discharged back to Nepal. But now all retired Gurkhas have the right to live in the UK, following a high-profile campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles.
The Gurkhas are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone. They and their families have become part of the life of the town and there are now quite a number of businesses, shops and restaurants in the area operated by Nepalese. And if you like Indian food, you will love Nepalese food.