The Gurkhas Campaign For Justice

Maybe it's time to give something back to a group of courageous and generous warriors.

The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom originated.

The potential of these warriors was first realised by the Victorians at the height of their empire-building. The Gurkhas were seen as a "martial race" and were recognised for their particularly masculine qualities of toughness.

The world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers motto is: "Better to die than be a coward", they sacrificed 43,000 of their men during the two world wars and they have been members of the British Forces for almost 200 years.

The Gurkhas still carry their traditional weapon the kukri an 18 inch long curved knife into battle.

Historically, 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. Perhaps that is connected with their motto?

These days the kukri is more likely to be seen in use as a cooking implement.

After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815, which also allowed the company to recruit from the ranks of its former enemy.

Following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain resulted in four Gurkha regiments from the Indian army being transferred to the British Army, these four regiments eventually became the Gurkha Brigade.

Since then, the Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them.

The Gurkhas are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone, Kent. But they are not allowed to become British citizens.

The Gurkhas are still selected from among the young men living in the hills of Nepal; with about 28,000 youths competing, in what has been described as one of the toughest in the world, for one of just over 200 coveted places each year.

Today is the day that the British Government should honour the bravery and generosity of the Gurkhas by recognising their entitlement to become citizens.

Thanks for your support

As you will see below in the Guestbook Case Stevens who is from the Netherlands has made some amazing comments. Case highlights the fact that whatever nation we may be from we owe an immense debt to those who have given so much to us all.

I think Case's comments are worth repeating here:

I'm not British, but...

Back in beginning of the seventies in the previous century, I learned about the Gurkas. It was from a Dutchman, who fought all over Asia in the second world war.

From every story this man told me, it appeared that the Gurkas are without doubt the most brave and the most loyal people any nation could have.

I double checked some of these stories in war archives and with other war veterans and, without exception, these stories were confirmed.

It's a bloody shame, that this loyalty only is appreciated when it comes to lending a big hand in life threatening war situations and NOT when money is involved when these people need help.

In the Netherlands, where I come from, there's a similar situation with the Moluccan. They fought their pants of on behalf of the Dutch government and were left in the cold when they needed help.

Really civilized nations would help these people.
The question is: are we?