15 March 2018 – 5/8 GR (The Sirmoor Rifles) 77th Birthday
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15 March 2018 – 5/8 GR (The Sirmoor Rifles) 77th Birthday- Newspaper cutting
Click here: for newspaper article of 5/8 GR 77th Birthday celebrations.
07 March 2018 – 2nd GR Trust Meeting at the Gurkha Museum Winchester
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3 February 2018 – Tigris Day Working Lunch at Pokhara.
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16 – 18 February 2018 – Sirmoor Safari (Bardia National Park)
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14th September 2017 – Sirmooree Nepal No. 23 September 2017
22/23 April 2017 – Visit to Barpak, Gorkha, epicentre of earthquake of 25 Apr 2015 (Updated 28 April 2017)
Capt Karnabahadur Thapa AO KAAA went to visit KAAA BGN Bridge project Pla Khola Suspended Bridge 40m(excavation stage) in Barpak VDC W/No 3/4, Gorkha at the same time presented 200th Anniversary Medal to ex 2 GR Welfare Pensioner 21151688 Rfn Baldhan Ghale 1/2 GR.
29 March 2017 – Amendment to SCN (Pokhara) Battle Field Tour To Dehradun /Sirmour Nahan / Delhi 26 Nov to 02 Dec 2016 (Updated 01 Jan 2017 & 28 March 2017 – Video added of 200th Anniversary medal being presented to the Raja saheb “Kuwar Ajay Bahadur Singh” Raja Saheb’s palace is in Nahan
05 March 2017 Tamandu Day sporting event in Pokhara
23 February 2017 – SCN Pokhara celebrated Tigris Day as a working lunch at the Gurkha Memorial Museum
16 February 2017 – Assistant Area Welfare Officers “Sirmooris” Dinner in Pokhara.
We should be proud to learn that we have 10 Sirmooris working as Assistant Area Welfare Officer (AAWO) in GWS. HQ GWS and KAAA members hosted an informal dinner on 16th February 2017 at the Uncles Beer Garden in New Road, Pokhara. 9 including 4 AAWOs Earthquake Response Team (EQRT) attended the dinner. Sadly 21164013 CSgt Subash Rai 2nd Bn was missed out, apology from the host.
Chairman explaining briefly about the SCN activities Sitting from Left 21160641 Sgt Uttamprasad Gurung 1st Bn (EQRT Lamjung), Capt Hikmatbahadur Gurung 1st Bn (PD RWSP), Capt Karnbahadur Thapa 1st Bn (AO KAAA), Capt Dudman Gurung 1st Bn (Trg Dir KAAA), Hon Lt Haribahadur Rana 2nd Bn (Head of IA GWS). Standing from Left: 21165009 Cpl Shankar Prasad Shrestha 1st Bn (EQRT Bagmati/Dhading), 21166733 Sgt Krishnabahadur Gurung 2nd Bn (AAWO Chitwan), 21162931 Sgt Bishwaraj Gurung 2nd Bn ( AAWO Butwal ), 21166234 CSgt Ashok Kandangwa 1st Bn (AAWO Darjeeling), 21165248 Sgt Jiwanprasad Shrestha 1st Bn (AAWO Lamjung), 21163803 Sgt Tejbahadur Thapa 2nd Bn ( EQRT Gorkha), 21162499 Sgt Bhupendra Shahi 1st Bn (AAWO Kaski), 21169025 Sgt Bhaktabahadur Tamang 2 GR (EQRT Bagmati/Dhading).
01 Jan 2017 – Happy 100th Birthday Capt Bhagtasing Pun MM in Pokhara (Updated 23 Jan 2017, please note the spelling)
Bhagtasing Pun MM enlisted into the Brigade of Gurkhas in 1937. During World War II, the Japanese Armed Forces captured the allied military personnel in the Southeast Asia and Pacific areas, and when Singapore surrendered in February 1942, among the vast number of Japanese prisoners of war (PoW) were the entire Second Battalion of 2nd Gurkhas. As a result, Bhagtasing was a Japanese PoW from February 1942 – August 1945. After the War finished, he was released and joined the First Battalion of 2nd Goorkhas and went on to reach the rank of Captain before retiring from the Army on 3 January 1964. During his military career he served in the Northwest Frontier, India, Malaya, Borneo, Brunei, Singapore, Hong Kong and UK. In 1951 during the Malayan Emergency, he led his men on a particularly successful offensive operation and was awarded an MM (Military Medal) for his bravery, leadership and skilful patrolling. He has fond memories of HM The Queen’s Coronation parade in London. In 2015, the Sirmoor Regimental Association celebrated its 200th anniversary in Pokhara, Nepal, at which he was the given the honour of holding the Queen’s Truncheon on the parade as the most senior surviving officer of the Regiment. His medals pictured in the photograph are:
b. India General Service Medal 1936-39 with clasp Northwest Frontier 1937-39
c. 1939/45 Star
d. Pacific Star
e. War Medal 1939-45
f. General Service Medal 1918-62 with clasps Malaya & Brunei
g. General service Medal 1962-2007 with clasp Borneo
h. Coronation Medal 1953
i. Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, REGULAR ARMY ( QE II)
j. India Independence Medal 1947
NB: The solitary medal one on his right chest is Pingat Jasa Malaysia, offered by the Government of Malaysia for services in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Indo-Malaysia Confrontation.
SCN (Pokhara) Battle Field Tour To Dehradun /Sirmour Nahan / Delhi 26 Nov to 02 Dec 2016 (Updated 01 Jan 2017)
Day 1 – 26 Nov 2016 Visit Nahan at Sirmour (in Himachal Pradesh -3 hrs drive from Dehradun) Nahan the capital of Sirmour at the far ridge The Jaithak Fort in Sirmour (Extract from the History of the 2nd KEO Goorkhas “The 1st Bn was raised at the conclusion of the war in 1815,which was arrived at by Amar Sing’s capitulation of the Fortress of Malaun, involving with it the surrender of Amar Sing’s son, Ranjore Thapa, of the position and the Fort of Jaithak, near Nahan”) 200th Anniversary medal being presented to the Raja saheb “Kuwar Ajay Bahadur Singh” Raja Saheb’s palace is in Nahan. (Video & Photos) His Great Grand Father was named Amar Sing and his grand father Ranjor Singh (who was the Gorkha Commander in Jaithok) in admiration of Gorkha Generals Amarsing Thapa and Ranjor Thapa. Nahan Cantonment now occupied by Para ‘Special Forces’ Prohibited. PM – Wreath laying, jointly with 5/8 GR (Sirmoor Bn) Regtl Association at the Lal Gate Memorial Arch Received by Chairman 5/8 GR Regtl Assn, SM/HCapt Tilak Raj Gurung together with Lt Col Narayan Singh Thapa & Lt Col Yuvaraj Lama, cousin brother of CSgt R B (flying) Lama 1st Bn. Capt Narbahadur Gurung MVO BEM 2nd Bn Capt Benbahadur Ale 2 GR Band Capt Mekbahadur Gurung 1st Bn Capt Hikmatbahadur Gurung 1st Bn 21160364 WO2 Lachhuman Gurung 2nd Bn Mrs Krishna W/O 21147274 LCpl Embahadur Gurung 2nd Bn Capts Narbahaur Gurung, Benbahadur Ale, Mekbahaur Gurung, Ganesh Gurung, Karnabahadur Thapa, Ajiman Gurung, WO2 Lachhuman Gurung & Capt Hikmatbahadur Gurung The Lal Gate Memorial Arch is very well preserved with fountain and lighting. They have also put 2015 at the centre to mark 200th anniversary. Later – High tea with 5/8 GR (Sirmoor Bn) Regtl Association Dehradun Evening -Social gathering organised by Maj Budhi Thapa ex IAA Wari Jmuna Pari Jamuni Jamunako phedaima Manakamna Capt Ganesh saheb Presenting 2 GR Plaque to Maj Budhi Thapa Day 2 – 27 Nov 2016 Balbhadra (Khalanga) Mela & Visit Mussoorie AM – Gen Gillespie and Balabhadra Memorial at Nalapani Wreath Laying at the Balbhadra War Memorial at Khalanaga Chandrayni Devi mandir worshiped by Balbhadra at Khalanga (JAI MAHAKALI AYO GORKHALI is the war cry of the Gorkhas) Reception and presentation at the 42nd Khalanga Mela Presentation from SCN Mr Hira Singh Bista, ex CM Uttara Khanda/Bidhayak and Mr R S Thapa, Chairman of the Balbhadra (Khalanga) Memorial Bikash Samiti receiving 2 GR Plaque. Jhham Jhham pareli ankhaima gajalu samjhanchhu Dehradun PM – Visit Mussoorie, Lt later Gen Frederick Young residence at Landour Bazar. Now occupied by Tibetan Refugees Initially the town was called Masuri, after the Mansur plant but was later changed to nine letter Mussoorie to match with Gen Frederick hometown Mullinger, in N Ireland. Eve – Thank you to the Dehradun host team in attendence WO2 Satyasagar Ghale Hon AWO Dehradun and WO2 Santosh Gurung both ex 6 GR Day 3 – Visit to the Hindu Rao House at the Delhi Ridge (one of the oldest Hospital) ENT Department Kashmiri Gate is now prohibited area The Sirmoorie group with family & friends
The Queen’s Birthday Honours 2016 – Major Yambahadur Rana MVO RGR (ex 1/2GR) awarded MBE
Major Yambahadur Rana, an iconic figure in the Brigade, recently retired after a long and distinguished career including his final tour as OC Gurkha Company(Sittang). Throughout his career in the Army he has given up huge amounts of his own time; supporting the Gurkha Museum, raising thousands of pounds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust and acting as an ambassador and mentor for the resident UK Gurkha community. He now works for the GWS in Nepal as Earthquake Response Team Area Welfare Officer (EQRT AWO) in Gorkha.
12 June 2016 – SRA Nepal Annual General Meeting in Kathmandu (Updated 17 Jun 16)
26 April 2016 – Meeting/Dinner with Col W F Shuttlewood OBE (SRA Sirmoor Club Chairman elected) at Kalikhola Mess British Gurkhas Pokhara
Senior Pokhara Sirmoori Maj Dilbahadur Gurung MVO welcoming Col WFS Welcome khada from Maj Lachhimiparsad Gurung MVO BEM, founder Chairman Sirmoor Club Nepal OC BGP/SO2 Recruiting Maj James Devall RGR 2IC BGP/PMC Capt Sachinhang Limbu 2 RGR Field Director GWS Lt Col Steve Whitlock QGE Lt Col (Retd) John White QGE, Deputy Director Plans EQRT (Earthquake Response Team) Col (Retd) Andrew Mills OBE Late QGE, Director KAAA BGN. Col Mills was DA/Comd BGN/Dir GWS 2009-2013
22nd April 2016 – Regimental Association Nepal Meeting/Lunch at British Gurkhas Camp
20th April 2016 – Kathmandu Sirmooris Meeting
9th April 2016 – SRA Nepal Regimental Association Committee Meeting at the Regimental Association Complex, British Gurkhas Pokhara.
To get more information about a photograph; click to open and the click on the ‘i’ for a description. [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”20″ gal_title=”SRA Nepal Committee Meeting – 09 Apriol 2016″]
3rd April 2016 – His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales (HRH Prince Harry ) -RECEPTION AT BRITISH EMBASSY KATHMANDU, NEPAL 23rd March 2016.
HRH Princ Handing the ‘Greeting Khadas’ to the Head of Security of the royal entourage, David, for His Royal Highness, from left, Major Bhimbahadur Gurung MVO QGE, Chairman RAN, Captain Narainparsad Limbu, Chairman 7 GRRA and Captain Bharat Singh Thapa Chhetri, Chairman, 2 GRRA. Chairmen of ex Gurkha units lining up to greet the Royal Guest. Hon Mr Ram Sharan Mahat former Finance minister, extreme right, joins the Regimental Association Nepal Chairmen group. e Harry (His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales – addressing the Reception organized by The British Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Richard Morris, and Mrs Alison Morris to celebrate the Bicentenary of the UK–Nepal relationship, on 23rd March 2016.
23rd March 2016 – His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales (HRH Prince Harry ) – Visits Nepal – GWT Newsletter.
23rd Feb 2016 – Chairman’s visit to UK for SRA Trustees Meeting.
PINGAT JASA MALAYSIA (PJM) (English: Malaysian Service Medal)
Back in 2012 applications by some 300 Gurkha service pensioners from all units of the Brigade of Gurkhas in Nepal were submitted to the Govt of Malaysia through Regimental Associations Nepal (RAN). Only in Sep last year were we informed that 218 of the applications were successful and that the medals would be distributed by the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu. Of the 218, 52 were for 2 GR. About the PJM Checking names Capt Bharat Singh Thapa Chhetri Capt Karnabahadur Roka BEM Lt Ramprasad Gurung Hon Lt Ichharaj Gurung 2 GR Medal Recipients A Group PhotoThe Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) is a medal given by the King and Government of Malaysia. Established on 3 March 2004, the medal recognizes service by members of the Malaysian Armed Forces during the Malayan Emergency, Second Malayan Emergency, and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. The medal was also offered for award to members of the Commonwealth forces from Australia, Fiji, India, Nepal, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom who served in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. The award is in recognition of "distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice, or loyalty" in contributing to the freedom of independence of Malaysia. The medal can be conferred and accepted posthumously by next of kin.
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia may be awarded to Commonwealth forces from Australia, Fiji, India, Nepal, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom including Gurkhas, who served in Malaysia for at least 90 days, between:
· 31 August 1957 and 31 December 1966 or,
· 31 August 1957 and 9 August 1965 in Singapore
As with Malaysian personnel, awards may also be made to those whose service was cut short as a result of death or injury as a result of service in these areas. Those personnel who served in an indirect or support role must have served at least six months during the qualifying periods of service. The start date for the medal is 31 August 1957, the date of Malaysia's independence. The cut-off date for service in Singapore is shorter due to Singapore's independence from the Federation of Malaysia on 9 August 1965.
Pictures below show the medal being presented by the Malaysian Charge de Affairs,Mr Fadli Adilah, in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Butwal.
Capt Mahendra Phagami 1 RGR – CGS Commendation.
Capt Mahendra Phagami 1 RGR has been awarded the CGS Commendation in the New Year Honour List 2017. Capt Mahendra was the youngest Sirmoori enlisted in the 2nd Goorkhas, before merger into RGR in 1994. Many congratulations from All members of the Sirmoor Club Nepal.
SCN POKHARA FOE 2017
Thu 23 Feb 2017 TIGRIS DAY working lunch at the Gurkha Memorial Museum (Committee & Advisors) Sun 05 Mar 2017 TAMANDU DAY sporting event at the RAN Complex BGP 14 – 17 Apr 2017 EASTER Mini Trek Thu 14 Sep 2017 160th DELHI DAY Reunion Wed 20 Sep 2017 2 GR Bhela – GWS/BGN Conf (18 – 22 Sep) Late Nov 2017 (TBC) Battlefield Tour Dehradun / Sirmour Nahan Sun 24 Dec 2017 Christmas Eve celebration
24 Dec 16
HAPPY CHRISTMAS 2016 AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS FOR 2017
The President Brigadier Ian Rigden OBE and all members of the Sirmoor Club send a Happy Christmas 2016 and best wishes for the New Year 2017 to all Sirmoories in Nepal, United Kingdom, Brunei, Hong Kong or wherever you may be in the world. We remember with great pride our past service with the 2nd KEO Goorkhas (The Sirmoor Rifles) and look forward to meeting our former comrades and friends in the coming year. We wish you and your families all the very best for 2017.
GREETINGS FROM SCN 24 DEC 2016
02 Nov 16
GURKHA TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Gurkha TACOS is a complex subject and few fully understand the specifics of how these have evolved over time since the inception of the Tri Partite Agreement in 1947. It is important that we, the Gurkha Family, understand our own TACOS and that we are able to explain them to others. They are often misquoted, taken out of context or only half understood leading to a one-sided view. These are UK Government TACOS. With the Ministry of Defence leading but other Government Departments also responsible for their own areas such as pensions and immigration, these are policies of State. The Army Secretariat, who are the lead for Gurkha TACOS and have previous experience as the Gurkha Secretariat, has produced a series of Fact Sheets which lay out the background to a range of TACOS. These are accompanied by Nagri translations. I offer you these as reference material and an opportunity to correct misunderstandings that may exist more widely. They are accurate as at October 2016 and include the recent European Court of Human Rights Ruling. They do not yet include the work that the Army Secretariat is conducting in assessing the implication of the 7th Indian Pay Commission. The Fact Sheets are held on the Ministry of Defence website at: http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/27835.aspx James Robinson Col J G Robinson | Col BG Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas Robertson House (Former Army Staff College) Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4PQ HQBG Def Intranet Page Link | HQBG MOSS Link www.gurkhabde.com
13 Sep 16
DELHI DAY – 14 SEPTEMBER 2016
On behalf of the President, Brigadier Ian Rigden OBE, the Chairman, Colonel William Shuttlewood OBE and all members of the Sirmoor Club, could you please pass on our Sirmoor ‘Delhi Day’ salaams to all your members, and trust that you all enjoy your Delhi Day Celebrations wherever they may be held, in Nepal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong or in other countries where Sirmoories reside or work.
SRA NEPAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUN 12 JUNE 2016
2nd Gurkha Rifles Association, Sirmoor Club Nepal, now known as Sirmoor Rifles Association Nepal, Annual General Meeting will now take place on Sun 12 June 2016 in Kathmandu. All Branch Charmen and Reps are requested to attend. Sat 11 Jun 16 Arrive in Kathmandu Sun 12 Jun 2016 0900 – 1200 hrs AGM Venue / Location TBN