SRA (Nepal) Noticeboard

 

Village Users Committee Chairman Capt Phulbahadur Ghale ex NA, Kalibahadur  Bn

PS Chitrabahadur Phagami (Myagdi)

Medal to Rfn Baldan Ghale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newly built bakery on top of the hill

 

Welcome into homestay by ex IA,  brother of Capt Ombahadur Ghale ex 2/2GR

 

 

Farewell

 

Welcome to Lt Col Bijaykumar Rawat

Tamandu Day Regimental history

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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).

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:

1. Military Medal (George VI)
   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.

 

 

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

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Group photo after the meeting with Col BG, Col James Robinson with khada,Chairman RAN Maj Bhimbahadur Gurung MVO MBE QGE, DA/Comd BGN/Dir GWS Col Ian Logan, Dep Comd/Chief of Staff Lt Col Vince Young and GM Maj Prakash Gurung both in DPM Combat

 

 

 

 

 

 

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″]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HRH Prince 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

• To read the GWT Newsletter on HRH Prince Harry’s visit; Please Click Here:

Bharat & Raju representing SRA Nepal & SRA UK at the Trustees Meeting in London.

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

The 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Checking names

Capt Bharat Singh Thapa Chhetri

Capt Karnabahadur Roka BEM

Lt Ramprasad Gurung

Hon Lt Ichharaj Gurung

2 GR Medal Recipients

A Group Photo

 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 2^nd Goorkhas, before merger into RGR in 1994.

Many congratulations from All members of the Sirmoor Club Nepal.

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         160^th 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

 

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 2^nd 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.

To all Sirmooris and dear families of Sirmoor Club UK, SRA Sirmoor Sathies UK, Brunei, Hong Kong and living all over the world,

Merry Christmas and Happy & Prosperous New Year 2017

From all members and families of Sirmoor Club Nepal

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 7^th 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

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