1969 2019 THE ;dfrf/ CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN SAMACHARA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Your Welfare Trust newsletter No 54 Samachara means ‘news’ in Nepali Autumn 2019 www.gwt.org.uk 01722 323 955 [email protected]

Celebrating 50 years supporting Gurkha veterans in Nepal

OUR ORIGINAL APPEAL

In the late 1960s, it became apparent that a great number of Gurkha soldiers and their dependants or widows in Nepal were facing destitution in their old age.

Many of these soldiers had served in World War Two. However, they had not completed the 15 years needed to qualify for a pension. Unlike their British counterparts who could rely on the UK welfare state and their pensions in their old age, the Nepali had no such safety net. Thousands of them had returned to their home country to a life of hardship and poverty.

A public appeal was launched in the UK to raise funds to support these brave men who now faced such difficulty, so that they too could live with dignity.

PAGE 1 1969 OUR FIRST THE GURKHA WELFARE OVERWHELMING TRUSTEES TRUST IS BORN Having become aware of Her RESPONSE generations are MEETING Majesty’s enthusiasm for the well provided for. Initially the planning was co- appeal, Lord Mountbatten The response to the appeal was promoted ‘A night of This year (2019) ordinated by the overwhelming, surpassing the 1970 Liaison Officer in the War Office and a hundred pipers’ £1 million target. It was clear that marks 50 years AN APPEAL FOR in the Albert Hall FUNDS APPEARS Colonel Charles Wylie became the the British public saw the need of The Gurkha IN THE TIMES secretary for the appeal committee and the Mayor of to help the Gurkhas and that Welfare Trust once Peter Myers had established the Westminster provided they recognised just what an in Nepal. To venture. Marks and Spencer incredible service the Gurkhas celebrate we have with a venue for have given this country. put together

a dress show 1970 An office space was kindly donated in an anniversary FIRST FUNDS ARE Moorgate in the City of London and attended by the That initial appeal and show of website which GIVEN TO OUR at 2pm on 22 December 1969, the Duchess of Kent. support cemented the Trust shows the history VETERANS first Trustee meeting of The Gurkha Our street collection as its own entity. The of the Trust over Welfare Trust was held. was highlighted by the organisation went from the last 50 years. ladies at each door of strength to strength, The Trustees had set themselves the Stock Exchange creating a network of bases You can read all 1973 the ambitious target of raising £1 encouraging (Area Welfare Centres) across about the aid we OUR SCHOOLS generosity with the PROGRAMME million (over £11 million in today’s Nepal, as well as a team of have distributed BEGINS money), with the notion that this suggestion that it should dedicated staff, many of them Gurkha in Nepal, and see sum would provide for Gurkhas in be ‘paper money only’.” veterans themselves, to help the how the Trust need ‘in perpetuity’. Such has been distribution of aid. has evolved, and the demand for the services offered the real impact that today the Trust spends over £22 Years later, we formalised the we continue to 1977 OUR FIRST distribution of funds and began have on people’s WELFARE CENTRE IS BUILT Attendees of the first Trustees meeting held at 2pm paying what is now called the Welfare lives, thanks to on Monday 22 December 1969 in London: Pension to impoverished Gurkha your support. veterans and widows. Major-General D. G. T. Horsford, CBE, DSO Founder & Managing Trustee After you’ve Brigadier P. M. Kent, CBE Managing Trustee read our story, THE TRUST TODAY 1989 we’d love to hear yours and even see WE PARTNER Major-General J, H, S. Bowring, CB, OBE, MC Managing Trustee WITH DFID TO Major-General P. G. Turpin, CB, OBE Nominating Colonel Support from the public has Though the Welfare Pension remains your photos. What is it that makes DELIVER WATER Colonel C, S. F. Carroll, OBE, MC Managing Trustee remained, and the Trust continues core to our mission, a more holistic the Gurkhas special to you? Why do package of care is now provided, you continue to support them? Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Harvey, OBE, MC Proxy for Managing Trustee to work tirelessly in Nepal to repay including home building, a mobile Lieutenant-Colonel C, G. Wylie Proxy for Managing Trustee Britain’s ‘debt of honour’ to the medical service, state-of-the-art Mr. G. P. Pirie-Gordon Banker to the Trust Gurkhas. Medical Clinics and two Residential 1991 OUR FIRST The Hon. R.R. E. Chorley The Auditor Homes. MEDICAL CLINIC Mr. G. M. U. Young The Solicitor HEAD TO IS BUILT Mr. D.H.P. Bridgehouse The Custodian Trustee Over time, our remit has also WWW.GWT.ORG.UK/50 Mr. B. E. Sturgess, FCA Director, Ionian Bank expanded to include more TO LEAVE YOUR STORY Mr. B. W. S. Irwin, MC, TD, DL Deputy Chairman, Ionian Bank community-focussed projects, Major J. L. Chapple, MBE Appeal Office like building schools and providing 2010 Apologies clean water access to remote OUR FIRST Major-General J. A. Robertson, CB, CBE, DSO Founder villages across Nepal, so that future RESIDENTIAL HOME OPENS General A. G. Patterson, CB, DSO, OBE, MC Founder and Managing Trustee million supporting veterans or their AN APPEAL IN THE TELL US YOUR STORY 2015 widows each year. TIMES 200 YEARS OF Did you serve alongside the Gurkhas, or have a relative THE GURKHAS Mr Anthony Wieler was instrumental CELEBRATIONS With fundraising work continuing who did? Maybe you met a soldier or a veteran once in raising the initial funds and around the world, an appeal for remembers the period as one of who had an impact on you? Maybe you even visited support from the British public Nepal and saw the beautiful country for yourself? much activity: was placed in the Times on 25

June 1970. The advert was signed 2015 “Her Majesty the Queen questioned Send a postcard to the ‘bravest of the brave’ on our website and let URGENT by an unprecedented eight Field EARTHQUAKE why we had not asked her to do Marshals, all of whom were well them and the public know just why the Gurkhas are so important APPEAL anything other than accepting her known to the British public as a to you. You can also read the stories of others on our website, and generous donation and the film result of their leadership during why they think the plight of Gurkhas is one worth fighting for. premiere for Alice in Wonderland World War Two. then became a royal occasion in aid WWW.GWT.ORG.UK/50 2019 of our appeal. TODAY PAGE 2 A word from our Director

In 4x4s, on motorbikes and on foot to the thousands of Gurkha veterans the team are able to reach even the and widows who receive it. remotest of our pensioners. I’m excited to report that, after extensive Finally, and as always, thank you for testing, we are also in the process of your support. Without it, our work introducing all terrain vehicles (ATVs) wouldn’t be possible. The same to our fleet - the first of their kind in applies to your response to our last Nepal. Their durability and size mean appeal. The few photos below show we’ll be able to get even more vital just a handful of the hundreds of kit to those who need it. We’ll be items we’ve been able to buy - things sure to include an update on them like reading glasses, commodes, in Samachara once they’re put into wheelchairs, walking sticks and much Welcome to the latest edition of operation. more. Samachara. It is vital that we are able to increase As the monsoon season takes hold of the value of our Welfare Pension Nepal our diligent team are braving again this year. Though the amount the elements to make sure our may seem small to some, I know from Gurkha veterans and widows are safe. my years living in Nepal that the Al Howard increase will make a huge difference Director, The Gurkha Welfare Trust

How you’re changing lives Thanks to your response to our last appeal, we have been busy distributing everyday items like walking sticks, glasses, bedding and more in Nepal. Small items like these can make all the difference to the quality of life of Gurkha veterans and widows. Thank you.

Vital healthcare for remote communities

We recently hosted our 101st medical camp in Nepal. “My name is Dil Maya Adhakari. I am 100 years old We provide free medical camps for now. I slowly walked and came communities living in the remote hills over here. I came here with of Nepal. For many, this is the only my friend. medical assistance they receive. Relatively simple procedures I came here because I had like cataract removals and tooth back ache and I feel dizzy. The extractions can make all the doctor said I have high blood difference to those living in pressure and has given me discomfort. medicines. I am very happy with the service. This camp took place 25km from Bhojpur Bazaar on the remote I would like to thank the western hills of the district. Over donors. I wish you live longer three days our medical team saw over than me and always do good!” 1,300 people. PAGE 4 PAGE 5 are located and where I would be Levison Wood visits our work spending the next couple of days Binod Gurung, the chairman of his visiting the charity’s projects. We’d village’s water project beamed. PROFESSIONAL EXPLORER, WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER LEVISON remained good friends since he’d WOOD EXPERIENCES OUR WORK IN NEPAL WITH GURKHA VETERANS rescued me that day in 2001, and “Before, there were some communal AND WIDOWS. when I was organising another taps but the water was not sufficient. of my journeys 13 years later, to Some villagers even had to walk walk the length of the Himalayas, half an hour just to collect water. I couldn’t think of an individual Now every household has their own more suitable to accompany me individual tap, where water comes 24 for its duration. The expedition hours. We are very happy now.” had gone almost seamlessly until we reached Rukum District. We I shook Binod Gurung’s hand and were only a week’s walking away thanked him for showing me his from reaching , our next village’s water system. big milestone and Binod’s home. But an unfortunate car accident BACK IN THE UK one night left me with injuries that required surgery in the UK, so the As I sat down at my desk back in rest of the walk was postponed London, I flicked through the photos until I had been sewn back together. I’d taken of the people I’d met Despite my discomfort, as soon as that week, and was transported to I was fit, I was eager to return to the tranquillity of the Himalayas. Nepal, to reconvene with Binod, and checked over regularly. A school I stopped at the picture of Binod to continue exploring the country visit later that day allowed me to Gurung standing proudly by his tap. together, the country that had felt to appreciate that the focus isn’t just on He was grinning from ear to ear. me like a second home since that first the elderly, but who are also invested As were all the men and women in day I’d visited. in the descendants of the veterans, the photos before him. I’m often “I fought in the Second World War GWT data recorded him at 92. “Was Gurkha veterans I met during my trip and their futures. Access to resources asked why I choose to return to and I have ten medals. The fighting it difficult?” I asked, knowing full well who might have served alongside my THE WORK OF THE and education in rural Nepal is very Nepal, when there are still so many limited, so I was overjoyed to witness was non-stop. I kept fighting and the answer would be yes, but I was grandfather. He had travelled with GURKHA WELFARE countries I haven’t set foot in. The fighting but I didn’t die. I fought intrigued to hear more of his wartime the British Army to Burma in 1943 to first-hand that the charity was TRUST answer is simple: the people. Their against the Japanese. I also fought in experience. Chandra laughed: fight against the Japanese, and had building another school wing and had happiness is infectious and their . I have been to many places returned home with many war stories established a water system which hospitality incomparable. And as to fight. I didn’t die.” “To fight in a battle is very hard. I kept of his own. He’d told tales of their The Gurkha Welfare Trust were already supplies 60 households with hosting me for five days. Given how those sentiments lingered, I looked at on fighting. I was hungry for 15 days. determination, bravery and resilience. fresh, drinkable water. my 2020 calendar and started to plan Rfn Chandra Bahadar Garbuja had In the jungles of Burma. They used In my young mind, he’d painted a much work they do, and what limited time I had, my itinerary was jam- my next mountain adventure in this walked from his home in Shikha to to have wild banana. We saw buffalo. picture of a stoic warrior hailing from “We are so happy from this project. wonderful country. the secondary school I was visiting My senior officer told me to kill it. I this majestic mountain kingdom and packed, but I knew I was in the best We get clean drinking water. Before in the same village. He carried a took out my pistol, shot it twice, and had instilled in me the desire to visit hands to show me the extent of their this, there was a problem of water.” walking stick he told me the British killed it. We then cut it and ate it. this wonderful nation they called hard work. The first government had given to him, having The British also dropped rations from home, and if I were lucky, I’d get the day we visited a served for the British Army. He told parachute. The enemy stole away all chance to work with them, just as my Residential Home, me he was 105 years old, though the the rations and we were hungry.” grandad had. provided by the “It must have Trust to Gurkha been the veterans and their MY PREVIOUS widows. Those same for my EXPERIENCES OF NEPAL Grandfather” I who had fought pondered, as I during the Second I’d first visited Nepal as a 19-year- World War told thought about old solo backpacker. Unfortunately, how my own me proudly their I’d arrived in a prolonged period of army numbers, father’s father banda, the Nepali word for ‘closed’, had fought in before describing which meant the whole nation was their service, what the same jungles on strike shutdown. A Nepali boy of all those years battles they’d my own age, Binod had felt sorry for fought and what ago. “The best me and took me to his family home soldiers I ever injuries they’d in the hills, to avoid any trouble. suffered. They met” was his It was the kindest gesture I had own comment spoke gratefully ever experienced from a stranger, of the provisions on his Nepali and it set the precedent for the comrades. of the GWT, who hospitality I would receive in Nepal make sure they to come. It was with Binod I last have somewhere to Chandra was just found myself in Pokhara, where The one of the many sleep, food to eat Gurkha Welfare Trust headquarters and are medically PAGE 6 Resident profile: Kharka Bahadur Sunawar Trailwalker 2019 – ‘24 Hour – Dal Bhat Power’ THE THIRD IN OUR SERIES OF GUEST PROFILES FROM OUR TWO The mighty Trailwalker challenges earthquake-resilient home for him, in participants to walk 100km across memory of his grandfather. RESIDENTIAL HOMES IN NEPAL the South Downs in under 30 hours. The event takes place in September Having been foiled by the unusually and benefits GB and The hot weather in 2018, when the event Kharka was born on 1 January 1921 Gurkha Welfare Trust. was cancelled, Piers Lawson, from in Ramechhap, east of Kathmandu. our staff in Salisbury, has reformed One of eight children, Kharka is the Joining staff member Piers Lawson in his team, ‘24 Hour – Dal Bhat Power’. GWT staff member, Piers Lawson only living member of his family. With his Trailwalker team this year will be In addition to Henry, the team now no village school where he grew up, Henry Boucher, partner and Deputy consists of Major Dillikumar Rai, who he spent his childhood helping his CIO at Sarasin and Partners, the is currently on his 5th Operational parents work on the land, yielding Trust’s investment managers. Henry’s tour in Afghanistan as part of a crops and caring for their animals. grandfather was a 3rd Gurkha and mentoring role, and Richard Jory who was the Major General commanding has supported the Trust for several Kharka first married when he was the Brigade of Gurkhas in Malaya in years. Richard and his family all 19-years-old to a girl chosen by his 1948-1950. travelled to Nepal and returned to UK Henry Boucher parents, as was traditional. just before the earthquakes in 2015. Serving with 3GR in Malaya in the late Finally, Chris Kemp and his son, Jonny, WEAPONS INSTRUCTOR 1940’s, and under the command of will act as the support team. Major General Sir Charles Boucher, Shortly after his wedding, in 1942, was Gurkha Rifleman Ker Bahadur Over and above their fundraising he joined the Army and was sent to Ghale. Ker is now 93 years-old and efforts in support of a new home for six months for basic training. lives with his daughter-in-law and for Ker Bahadur, and in addition to After which, he spent nearly four two grandsons in Naduwa in the the funds raised leading up to the years serving with the 10th Gurkha Terai. He shares a room with his non-event last year, the team will Rifles before being discharged when grandsons because there is no other be raising money for a new library the Army downsized in June 1946. space in the house. at Shree Bhawani Higher Secondary School in Manbu, . Maj Gen Sir Charles Boucher During his time in the Gurkhas, Ker Bahadur is a most deserving case Kharka worked in the armoury on In 1995, his second wife passed for our support, and Henry will be Should you wish to support their efforts please go to camp duty, eventually becoming a away and he lived alone. Though taking on the challenge of Trailwalker www.justgiving.com/teams/24hour-DalBhatPower weapons instructor. He is still able to his daughter lived locally, she was and raising money to build a new remember how many rounds a minute only able to give him occasional care the machine gun could fire - a fact he and assistance and eventually it recites often. became too difficult for him to live independently. Tragically, while he was away training his wife and his son passed away MOVE TO A very religious man, he enjoys reading religious and spiritual books within 22 days of each other. He was RESIDENTIAL HOME informed of their passing through in Nepali such as Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and the Bible - but he a letter he received in the post. Kharka moved to our Residential Understandably, Kharka still finds it always makes time for the daily Home in Kaski in October 2010. When newspapers too. very difficult to talk about: he arrived, he was having difficulty eating and drinking due to an Kharka speaks English well and often “I did not get the chance to see his obstruction in his throat, his eyesight face.” shares his wisdom with visitors. His was poor and he struggled to hear. daughter and grandson visit him often. After his service finished, Kharka Thanks to your support, we were returned to Nepal and later able to provide extensive medical remarried. The couple went on “There is nothing permanent in treatment for him. After surgery, he this world. It is pointless to say to have a daughter. With an extra was able to eat and drink normally, he mouth to feed, farming was no longer mine or yours but one should had a procedure to remove cataracts contribute through social service providing enough for his family. So from both eyes, and we were also he returned to India and spent the before dying, which will be able to equip him with a hearing aid remembered by everyone. next 35 years working there, and and reading glasses. later back in Nepal, sending money Anyone can make friends. Worlds back to his family. He worked for Kharka is incredibly grateful for the various companies, including work and seas can be explored. But LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL care he has received and enjoys his there is no greater teacher than on the construction of the east-west time in the Residential Home very a Mother and a Father.” With a gift in your Will, you can help ensure Gurkha veterans, their widows and their wider communities are able to highway in Nepal. much, particularly the activities live with dignity for many years to come. To find out how you can help make this difference call 01722 323955, email provided. [email protected] or go to www.gwt.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-legacy PAGE 8 PAGE 9 The Gurkha Doko Challenge Elsewhere at GWT

A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the inaugural Gurkha Doko Challenge. KEEPING OUR TEAM ON THE ROAD

The event was a big success with 100% of Every year, a team from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) participants finishing the course, the leader in an come to Nepal. The team spent one month with us this year and visited each incredible 26 minutes 52 seconds. of our key Area Welfare Centres across Nepal.

Based on the traditional Gurkha recruitment Doko They assist us with the reparation and servicing of our equipment and our race in Nepal, the challenge saw participants run 5km fleet of vehicles. With many of the veterans and widows we care for living in of hilly terrain, carrying a traditional Doko basket remote locations, the state of our vehicles is of paramount importance. weighing either 5kg, 10kg or 15kg, with a time to beat of 46 minutes. RIFLEMAN MANBAHADUR GHIMIRE TURNS 100 NEXT YEAR – GURKHA DOKO Born in Bhojpur in 1942, Manbahadur is incredibly well-respected by our Residential CHALLENGE 2020 Home staff in Dharan. Always cheerful and up for a game of cards, he is often the focal point of social functions. His 100th birthday party was no exception. You can watch Plans are already underway. If you would like to his birthday speech on our website at www.gwt.org.uk/news/rifleman-manbahadur guarantee a chance to book a place on next year’s challenge, you can register your interest here – www.gwt.org.uk/doko2020list and we will be in touch with the full details before they are released SUPER SIX TACKLE THE to the general public. LONDON MARATHON

A huge thank you to the super six, who all finished in amazing times and continue to raise vital funds for our work with Gurkha veterans and widows in Nepal. So far the group have Events and Challenges raised just over £11k and counting… Tom Barker, Tula Limbu, Nathan Paulson, Hattie Griffith and Tol Join us at one of our volunteer-run events this year. For more information and to book your place visit Khamcha and Patrick Lynam all finished the gruelling race. You www.gwt.org.uk/events-and-challenges can read their stories and donate at www.gwt.org.uk/news/super-six-tackle-london-marathon JAZZ ON THE LAWN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE 6 SEPTEMBER 2019 9 NOVEMBER 2019 A fundraising picnic to jazz at a country house in An Act of Remembrance at the Gurkha Chautara at the CHAIRMAN AND STAFF NAMED IN HONOURS LIST mid-Norfolk. National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire. We are delighted that our Chairman and a member of our team here in the LONDON TO BRIGHTON BIKE RIDE GURKHA BAND CONCERT UK have been recognised in the Birthday Honours list this year. 15 SEPTEMBER 2019 12 NOVEMBER 2019 Cycle 55 miles from the City to Brighton seafront. A performance by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE Darlington. Nick has been appointed to the military division of the Most Honourable TRAILWALKER UK Order of the Bath. 20 – 22 SEPTEMBER 2019 CURRY LUNCH 17 NOVEMBER 2019 Nick is Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the British Army and the 100km across the South Downs in 30 hours. official head of the Brigade of Gurkhas. He is also the Chairman of The A fundraising lunch at the Lion & Fiddle Inn in Trowbridge. Gurkha Welfare Trust. SWIM SERPENTINE 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 CURRY DINNER Mahendra Kumar Limbu MBE A one-mile swim in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London. 22 NOVEMBER 2019 Mahendra has been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to Gurkha personnel and A fundraising Curry Night at Skewen Rugby Club in Neath. their families. Mahendra is our Welfare Officer in Aldershot. ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON Since the revised settlement ruling in 2009, many Gurkhas and their families choose to live in the UK. In collaboration 13 OCTOBER 2019 CURRY LUNCH 24 NOVEMBER 2019 with Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas (HQBG), we established two Gurkha Welfare Advice Centres (GWAC) in 2010, one in A half marathon taking in four of London’s eight Royal Salisbury and another in Aldershot which Mahendra manages. They aim to provide advice and signposting to government A fundraising lunch at the Namaste Nepal Restaurant in Parks. and charity support for those choosing to settle in the UK. Bristol. CURRY LUNCH 3 NOVEMBER 2019 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES FROM NEPAL A fundraising lunch at the Nepalese Chef Inn in ‘THE GURKHA WELFARE TRUST’ Gloucester. PAGE 11 From the Brigade: The Gurkhas win at Bisley The Brigade of Gurkhas again excelled at the Army Operational Shooting Competition 2019 known as the Bisley Shooting Competition. This is the biggest shooting competition in the British Army, held annually at the Bisley Camp in Pirbright, Surrey.

Shooting teams take part not only from across the British Army but a number of International Military Teams also participate. This year’s event was held on Thursday 20 June and, as always, the Brigade of Gurkhas performed extremely well in the competition.

THE QUEEN’S MEDAL WINNER

The best shot prize is the Queen’s Medal which was won by Corporal Subash Rai, 2 who was carried on a chair in the traditional manner by senior officers including Colonel Brigade of Of the top 100 shooters on the day, 57 of them were Gurkhas. Gurkhas. All of them will receive an Army 100 badge.

Gurkha Museum Christmas cards and gifts Request a brochure or pre-order now. Items on sale Monday 2 September. Visit www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk or call 01962 842 832 or visit the shop in person at: , Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS

Items include

PLEASE NOTE: Mountain Card 2020 Desk Diary Bauble Gift Wrap and Tags THIS IS AN ADVERT FROM Pack of 10 with envelopes Week to View £3.95 2 sheet 2 tag THE GURKHA MUSEUM 121 x 171mm £4.00 210 x 260mm £12.00 500 x 700mm £1.95 (NOT THE GURKHA WELFARE TRUST)