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May 2015 PARBATE www.gurkhabde.com/publication The magazine for Gurkha Soldiers and their Families PARBATVol 67 No 1: MayE 2015 The Gurkhas - 200 Years of Service to the Crown Containing over 200 images, this is the complete visual history of Britain's Gurkhas and the mystique that surrounds them. From the earliest days to modern operations in Afghanistan and sections on hill racing, the Kukri and bagpipes this is the official commemorative book of the bicentenary. Order your copy today from the Gurkha Museum in support of the Gurkha Welfare Trust The Gurkha Museum 01962 842832 www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk All royalties support The Gurkha Welfare Trust Front Cover - General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE DL, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas taking salute from the combined contingent of the Brigade of Gurkhas at the Gurkha Statue Rededication Service. Front Cover - General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE DL, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas taking salute from the combined contingent of the Brigade of Gurkhas at the Gurkha Statue Rededication Service. ii PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 PARBATE HQ Bde of Gurkhas, FASC, Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4PQ. All enquiries Tel: 01276412614 94261 2614 Fax: 0127641 2694 94261 2694 Email: [email protected] Editor Cpl Sagar Sherchan 0127641 2614 [email protected] Comms Officer 02 Gurkha Statue Rededication The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas Mr Ken Pike 0127641 2776 The world watches as the Brigade of Gurkhas marches through the Horse Guards Parade Square during the Gurkha [email protected] marches down The Mall Memorial Rededication Service Please send your articles together with high 04 Armed Forces Pay Review Board 2015 quality photographs (min 300dpi), through A summary of Armed Forces Pay Review, your unit’s Parbate Rep, to: Pension Scheme 2015 and Gurkha Pension Scheme The Editor, Parbate Office, 06 Gurkha 200 Launch HQBG, FASC, Camberley, Gurkha 200 launched at Army HQ and to the national media Surrey, GU15 4PQ 07 Gurkha Major 1 RGR visits Burma Parbate is published every month by kind permission On the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Fall of Mandalay, of HQBG. It is not an official publication and the views GM 1 RGR visited Myanmar, Burma representing the Brigade expressed, unless specifically stated otherwise, do not reflect MOD or Army policy and are the personal 14 100th Anniversary of Gallipoli (ANZAC Day) views of the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Editorial Staff. No Brigade of Gurkhas joins worldwide celebrations on Anzac Day responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the Editorial Staff or 16 G200 celebration in Nepal Publishers and advertisements are accepted on the express G200 celebrations in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dharan condition that they in no way contravene the provisions of the Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing 20 Expedition Arctic Gurkha Consumer Legislation. The Editorial Staff and Publishers cannot accept responsibility for the result of errors or Capt Jon Armstrong and Cpl Arjun set off for their epic 100 day omissions in articles or advertisements. challenge on Ellesmere Island Parbate is designed by the 26 Update from the Gurkha Museum AMC Design Studio, and The Gurkha Welfare Trust ADR004816 The Gurkha Museum provides a short insight into Gurkhas in and produced using recycled paper. the Falklands War and the GWT gives an update into their two new AWCs You can find out more about the Gurkhas and see some of the things they do 27 Sports Corner - 1 RGR takes the Army Volleyball Shield on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Gurkhas dominate at the Army Volleyball Championship resulting 1 RGR taking the trophy for the 4th year in a row Search for inside ... The Gurkha Brigade Association 20 Parbate Sports Various sporting actions from across Follow us @ Gurkha Bde the Brigade of Gurkhas Search for Gurkha Brigade Association Alternatively, visit our website: www.gurkhabde.com Captain Jon Armstrong and Corporal Arjun Limbu have set off on the first leg of their epic 100-day circumnavigation of Ellesmere Island PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 1 The world watches as the Brigade of Gurkhas march down The Mall he world’s media watched as 200 Gurkhas marched from Wellington TBarracks, along The Mall to the Gurkha Statue in Whitehall on 30 April in celebration of 200 years of loyal Gurkha service to the British Crown. Over 2,000 people lined the streets as four contingents from the Brigade of Gurkhas, accompanied by the Brigade’s Band, the massed Pipes and Drums and The Queen’s Truncheon, marched from Wellington Barracks passing Buckingham Palace, along The Mall, across Horse Guards to the Gurkha Memorial Statue in Whitehall. They were watched by millions on television as national broadcasters followed the event, and a news helicopter streamed live images from overhead. 2 PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 On arrival there was an inspection taken by General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE, Colonel Commandant The Brigade of Gurkhas and Chapple GCB CBE and the most junior former Chief of the General Staff. Gurkha soldier in the Brigade. A memorial service then took place, Wreaths were laid at the Statue to which started with a words honouring for the commemorate all who have served in The victims of the Nepal disaster from Lieutenant Brigade of Gurkhas and given their lives, General Sir David Bill KCB and the Brigade’s while Mrs Pyarimaya Gurung, wife of the Notably this includes Public Duties, Pundit, Lama and Chaplain. This was current Queen’s Gurkha Orderly Officer, which started on 4 May, where Gurkha followed by the unveiling and the dedication Captain Lokbahadur Gurung, laid a wreath units are providing guards at Buckingham of updated campaign and unit plaques on for the victims of the Nepal Earthquake. Palace, St James’ Palace and the Tower the statue for recent operations and new The ceremonial event was the first of a of London throughout May. This will be Gurkha units since the original Gurkha Statue number of high-profile functions the Brigade followed by a spectacular Pageant due to was unveiled in 1997. This was carried out by will host to commemorate 200 years of be held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 8 the most senior Gurkha officer, Field Marshall Gurkha service to the Crown. and 9 June. PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 3 4 PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 5 Words of support for the victims of the earthquake HRH The Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief Royal Gurkha Rifles 6 PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE DL Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas n behalf of the Gurkha family I know that British Gurkhas Nepal, Gurkha everywhere please accept our Welfare Scheme and Headquarters Brigade O deepest condolences for the of Gurkhas will be doing everything possible tragic consequences of this terrible to cope with the immediate emergency, to earthquake and its ongoing aftershocks. comprehend the extent of the damage to We have seen the immense damage in peoples’ lives, and to keep us all informed. Kathmandu on our television screens, but We in the Brigade and in The Gurkha we can only imagine the impact in the hills, Welfare Trust stand ready to do whatever we on our retired Gurkha community, and on need to once the situation becomes clearer. dependants of the serving Brigade. Meanwhile the people of Nepal are in the forefront of our thoughts and prayers. Sir David Bill KCB We know already that thousands have lost their lives many more Speech at the Gurkha Statue Rededication have been wounded, and millions of Nepalese are now directly affected in a country not well placed to withstand such natural disasters. We have seen images of the levels of destruction in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and know that much of the infrastructure in an area centred on the Kathmandu Valley, Gorkha and Lamjung has been destroyed or very badly damaged. The immediate international response to this tragedy has been heartening as has been the remarkable generosity of the British Public which has seen millions of pounds donated within hours. Our own government has pledged significant funds, and has already deployed critical assets including as you will have seen a party of our own soldiers from the Brigade bringing their particular skills to help the country of their birth. Clearly it will take more time to determine the full extent of the human cost of this disaster and a good deal more time to restore the situation. The immediate needs over and above the search and e are here today to re-dedicate our Gurkha Statue as rescue task seem to be: medical, food, shelter, water and sanitation. we commemorate and remember with pride 200 years Our own charitable arm, the Gurkha Welfare Trust has launched an Wof Gurkha Service to the British Crown. But first it is earthquake appeal as well as committing itself to a £2M contingency surely appropriate that we pause for a moment to consider the fund to be spent where it is most needed across communities. impact of the unfolding tragedy following Saturday’s 7.5 Richter Our Trust is particularly well placed with its well established network scale earthquake and the more than 100 aftershocks that have of Welfare Centres to provide a focused and timely response and, I know, hit Nepal. warmly welcomes your support. 2 RGR holding a Vigil in Shorncliffe Temple for victims of Nepal Earthquake PARBATE Vol 67 No 1 May 2015 7 Ex BLUE FREEFALL By WO2 Khadak Chhetri GSPS x BLUE FREEFALL 15 was an AGC Formation ESkydiving team training exercise that took place over the period 20 - 27 Mar 15 at Skydive Spain Drop Zone in Seville, Spain.
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