Fund-Raising for the Gurkha Welfare Trust Brigadier Bruce Jackman OBE MC and Played Cricket for the Army Throughout the Far East

Fund-raising for the Gurkha Welfare Trust Brigadier Bruce Jackman OBE MC and played cricket for the Army throughout the Far East. (His brother, Robin, played cricket for England, of course.) Right: Roger Dakin presents a cheque to Brigadier Bruce Jackman, Chairman of the Western Branch of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, at the Nowadays, Bruce Jackman golfs, skis, sails and shoots, but is best annual Grand Officers’ Mess dinner in the Parliament Rooms, known as a very active volunteer, championing welfare for the Gloucester. Gurkhas. Bruce Jackman was born in India during WWII, when his father was serving in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles. Always destined for a military career, he was commissioned into his father’s regiment, eventually serving 31 years; all of which was with the Gurkhas in the Far East. He took part in the quelling of the Brunei Rebellion in 1962/63, followed by two tours in the ‘Borneo Confrontation’; twice wounded in action. As Company Commander at the age of 23, he was awarded the MC for leading a cross-border raid to destroy an Indonesian Forward Operating Base. As Lieutenant Colonel in the late-70s, he oversaw operations coping with mass immigration from China and Vietnam and was awarded an OBE. A keen sportsman too, Bruce represented his regiment at hockey, his battalion at shooting Page 1 “Wait ‘til your father gets home!” Brigadier Bruce Jackman was the honoured guest at the GOs‘ Mess Dinner in Gloucester and gave a fascinating talk about his experiences and the work of the Trust. He said that, “Growing up amongst the Gurkhas, I learned to speak Nepali before English; much to the disquiet of my mother, who relied on my father to translate!” It was fated he would follow his father into the Gurkhas and, indeed, Bruce’s own son continued the tradition by later commanding the regiment. The brigadier regaled his audience with tales of his own skirmishes in battle and then explained why the sudden need for a welfare association had arisen. It followed Defence Secretary Dennis Healey’s swingeing cuts on military spending in 1966. It was realised that the strength of the Gurkhas would be reduced from 15000 to 7000 over a 3-year period and thousands who had fought for Britain, including in WWII, would be sent back to Nepal with no pensions. The GWT was formed, money raised and continues to be raised. The Trust now picks up all welfare and medical needs and £12m annually is required. “The massive earthquakes in 2015 caused terrible destruction across central Nepal,” continued Bruce. “Thousands were killed and millions left homeless, including around 1200 Gurkha veterans and widows. formed by the unification of the territory in the 18th century. The The Trust spent immediately £500,000 on emergency aid, including the Nepalese had been raiding the East India Company routes, yet a great supply of metal shelters. A team has been working ever since, building respect for each other’s armies had grown. A peace treaty was signed quake-resistant homes. The project has included replacing water- in 1815 and ratified in 1816. On 24th April 1815, the British enlisted supplies and schools.” the first battalion of Gurkhas from amongst the prisoners of war. Gurkhas were used to fight in India, later playing a pivotal part in What’s the connection? putting down the Indian Mutiny of 1856. Following a 144-day engagement, they took Delhi; the feat acknowledged by Queen Victoria “So why do the Gurkhas fight for Britain?” Bruce asked. Answering his when, for the first time, the attention of the British public was own question, he went back to the Nepal Wars 1814-16. Gurkhas captured. The Gurkhas were to gain 23 battle honours prior to WWI. originate from the mountainous region of Gorkha, one of the 75 26,000 were sent to Flanders and a further 36 battle honours were won districts of modern Nepal. The name was also used by a kingdom in the Great War. Page 2 “Bravest of the brave” Referring to the campaign for Gurkhas to have the right to settle in the UK, he acknowledged the efforts of Joanna Lumley who spoke on their behalf. Her father had served as an officer in the 6th Gurkha Rifles. Concluding, Bruce described his men as ordinary soldiers, but exceptional and fiercely loyal to this country. He referred to Sir Ralph Turner MC, a Gurkha officer during WWI, who gave the soldiers their reputation from his quote, "Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you”. The PGM, Tim Henderson-Ross, explained that this dinner was an occasion when Grand Officers extended a ‘thank-you’ to some of the other brethren who work so very hard for the Province of Gloucestershire. He paid tribute to the brigadier and then introduced Roger Dakin, who had again organised such a successful dinner. Roger pointed out that it was appropriate that Brigadier Jackman address the audience in this 100th year of remembrance following the Photo: Imperial War Museum end of WWI. He acknowledged the need to assist these gallant soldiers and their families and thanked him for addressing the brethren; “Your A quarter of a million Gurkhas fought for Britain in WWII and 40 battle presence has delighted us, your words have inspired us, your exploits honours were won. A battalion of Gurkhas is retained in Brunei, but have challenged us and your humour has entertained us!” entirely paid for by the Sultan. A further battalion is stationed in the UK and have been called on in many conflicts in recent times. Roger presented Brigadier Jackman with a cheque for the Gurkha Welfare Trust and brethren were invited to make individual After the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India contributions if they so wished. and Britain transferred four Gurkha regiments from the British to the Indian army. “In fact,” said Bruce, “the number of Gurkhas now serving in the Indian Army exceeds the current full strength of the British Photos from the evening can be viewed here . VIEW PHOTOS Army!” Page 3 .

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