Canada Military News: GURKHAS- Our Incredible Commonwealth brothers- The Mighty Gurkhas- even ISIS entrails whimper in fear at the savage scream of the Gurkha.... and so they should ...even the wind bows in respect /bravest of the brave and none more loyal - from Canada with love -God bless our Commonwealth 2.4 Billion
“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you” by Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931.
Events that shaped 2015: Gurkha 200 celebrated the anniversary of two hundred years of Gurkha service to the Crown
VIDEO
THE MIGHTY BRAVE GURKHAS- our heroes and our Commonwealth brothers and sisters...
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2nd GURKHA RIFLES-
Nepal
The soldiers of the Gurkha regiments come from the Himalayan country of
Nepal, situated on the northern edge of the Indian subcontinent. It is roughly
rectangular, 540 miles long and 100 miles wide. Within this small area the
country contains tropical forest in the low lying area to the south, and some of
the highest mountains in the world, including Everest, to the north. Somwhere in
between is the capital, Khatmandu on a flat plateau in the foothills. This
plateau is regarded by the people of the country as Nepal, everywhere else is
Pahar (the hill districts) or Mades (the plains).
According to an agreement between the Nepalese and the British, recruitment
for the Gurkha regiments is restricted to Pahar where the various tribes inhabit
the higher altitudes. The racial origins of the people are diverse. Basically
there are Mongolians and Indo-Aryans. The royal family and the majority of the
inhabitants of Khatmandu are descended from Thakurs and Rajputs from India while
the Gurkha tribes are of Mongolian descent.
The use of the word Gurkha to describe the hill men comes from a place of
that name that was ruled, in the mid-18th century by Prithi Narayan Sah.
Impressed by the British military conquest of Mogul India, he thought he would
try the same against his neighbours. These Gurkhas were quite ruthless and
successful so that the expansion of the Gurkha empire carried on after the death
of Prithi Narayan Sah until the early 19th century. At this point the British
decided to put a stop to the empire-building activities of this truculent
people.
War was declared in November 1814. A force of 22,000 was sent and the first
action was a seige at Kalunga, garrisoned by 600 Gurkhas. The Britsh suffered
severe losses including a Major-General and began to wonder how they were ever
going to subdue these tough little men. Of all the generals, only one man had
the determination to press on, Sir David Ochterlony. He fought several battles
against the enemy who were commanded by Umur Sing. On 15th April 1815 a hard
fought battle at Deothul peak resulted in the retreat of the Gurkhas. Even after
this they refused to surrender and a further campaign in January 1816 had to be
waged to final bring an end to the war.
The story of Britain's struggle for the control of India has several examples
of enemies becoming firm allies. The two most notable being the Sikhs and the
Gurkhas. Both very warlike groups and both forming loyal and very effective
regiments in the British army. The first three Gurkha regiments were raised in
1815, before the final surrender of the the King of Nepal. In fact, Ochterlony
had recommended the recruitment of Gurkhas as early as 1814.
Raising of the Sirmoor Battalion
Lieutenant Frederick Young is regarded as the father of the 2nd Gurkhas. In
1814 a force of about 4000 irregular troops were raised from the hillmen who
included 'Nasiri' Gurkhas, half of whom were under Young's command. When they
were attacked by 200 Gurkhas, the hillmen fled leaving Young and a few British
officers to face the enemy alone. "Why don't you run away like your men?" asked
the Gurkhas. "I haven't come all the way here just to run away." was Young's
reply. This answer pleased them. "We could serve under men like you." So saying
they entertained Young and his officers and began to teach them their language.
By the following year Young had recruited 3000 Gurkhas in Sirmoor which is in
Garhwal, 150 miles beyond Nepal's western border. It was called the Sirmoor
Battalion. The regiment was run by British officers and senior NCOs with native
officers holding the rank of Subadar-Major (Captain), Subadar (Lieutenant) and
Jemadar (Ensign or Sub-Lieutenant). Non-commisioned ranks were Havildar
(Sergeant), Naik (Corporal) and Sepoy (Private). As time went on the British
senior NCOs were replaced by Havildar-Majors.
The Simoor battalion was the first Gurkha regiment to fight. They saw action
in the 3rd Mahratta War of 1817. Their uniform at this time was a green
tight-fitting jacket with pale blue baggy trousers. They had black belts crossed
on their chest for ammunition pouch and bayonet and at first a low cap with
pagri (turban) wrapped around it. From the start, they carried their traditional
kukri knife tucked into the front of their waistband.
Bhurtpore
The first battle honour achieved by the regiment was Bhurtpore in 1825/6. By
this time they had, in 1823, been re-named the 8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion.
The word 'local' meaning 'irregular' in this case. Lord Combermere led a force
of 21,000 men and 100 guns, British and Indian troops together with the 8th
Sirmoors. The heavily fortified town was besieged and mined with the loss of 600
of Combermere's men, but the wall was breached and the Gurkhas cut their way
though alongside their British comrades. Their bravery impressed the British and
it was reciprocated, "The English are as brave as lions. They are splendid
sepoys and very nearly equal to us!" The following year, they were renumbered as
the 6th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion.
The Sikh Wars
The 1st Sikh War took place in 1845 when the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej river
into British controlled territory. They were present at the battles of Bhudaiwal
and Sobraon. After a tough forced march under Sir Harry Smith, the Sirmoors
relieved Ludhiana. This was followed by the battle at Aliwal where they lost 145
killed and wounded. They carried colours at the time, and the flagpole was
broken by cannon fire. The colour itself was siezed by the Sikhs but reclaimed
by a small party of Gurkhas led by a Havildar who chopped their way into the
densely packed enemy lines.
The Indian
Mutiny broke out on 11th May 1857 at Meerut. This was a revolt of some of
the Indians serving in the British-led Indian regiments. Unrest had been
building for some time but the spark that lit the gunpowder was the new issue of
Enfield rifles with their contraversial cartridges. These required the paper end
to be torn off with the teeth. The problem was that the paper, to protect it in
wet contidions, was greased with what the agitators claimed was the fat from
cows and pigs. Hindus would never allow produce from a cow to pass their lips
and the same for Moslems with pig produce.
In some cases whole Bengal regiments mutinied, but many remained loyal to the
British, including the Gurkhas. In fact two more Gurkha regiments were raised
during the course of the mutiny. The mutineers gravitated towards Delhi until
20,000 garrisoned the city. The Sirmoor Battalion, as it was now called, (the
number 6 had been dropped in 1850) under it's commanding officer Major Charles
Reid, set out from it's base at Dehra Dun. They made forced marches and
travelled by boat up the Ganges Canal to Delhi. They stopped to rest at one
point and were approached by some Indian sappers who tried to convince the
Gurkhas that bullocks bones had been ground up and mixed with their flour. But
they jeered at the sappers and enjoyed a hearty meal of chappatis and dhal.
One of the most famous battles fought by the 2nd Gurkhas was the defence of
Hindu Rao's house just outside Delhi. For
this action, they fought alongside the 60th Rifles and the Corps of Guides
Infantry.
When they arrived at Delhi one eye-witness noted that 'The Gurkhas were so
delighted at the chance of getting a fight that they threw somersaults and cut
capers.' On the 10th June a force of 500 mutineers came out of the city towards
their position. Major Reid led seven companies of his Sirmoors, two companies of
the 60th Rifles and 150 Guides together with two artillery pieces to meet them.
The British at this time were jittery about the loyalty of all the native troops
but the Gurkhas were to prove their loyalty in spectacular fashion.
As they approached, the mutineers called out to the Gurkhas. "We expect the
Gurkhas to join us, we won't fire." "Oh yes, we're coming to join you now."
shouted the Gurkhas. they approached, smiling, to within 20 paces and opened
fire, killing 20-30 mutineers.
The loyalty of the Gurkhas was never again questioned. They were under
constant fire for more than 3 months and defeated 26 seperate attacks from the
city. Out of 9 officers only one survived. They lost 327 men out of 490. It is
worth quoting the account of Captain Griffiths of the 61st to appreciate the
quality of the Gurkhas:
'In battle they seem in their proper element, fierce and courageous,
shrinking from no danger. As soldiers they are second to none, amenable to
discipline and docile, but very tigers when roused. They fought with unflinching
spirit during the Mutiny......No assault, however strong and determined, made
any impression on the men of these gallant regiments.'
Changes
The Indian
Mutiny was a watershed in the development of the army in India. Nearly all
the native regiments were re-numbered to fill in the gaps left by disbanded
regiments but the greatest change was the transfer of the whole Indian Army from
being administered by the Honourable East India Company to the Crown. The change
affected the Sirmoors in that they were given the honour of becoming a Rifle
regiment. From 1858 they were the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment and the men were no
longer sepoys but riflemen. They were also required to relinquish their colours
as Rifle regiments do not carry them. They were compensated for this in 1863
when the Queen granted them the special honour of carrying their famous
ceremonial truncheon on parade.
This was also the post-Crimean period that saw great changes in uniform
throughout the army. At the time of the Mutiny, the Sirmoors were still wearing
tight fitting short jackets. These were to be replaced by tunics which were more
comfortable. The dark green tunic had red facings in recognition of their close
association with the 60th Rifles who fought alongside them at Delhi. The cap,
called a Kilmarnock had been adorned with the red and black diced headband for
some years. It's origins are somewhat obscure but are thought to have been
introduced by a Scottish commanding officer. At the time of the Mutiny the
Kilmarnock was quite tall, about 6ins, but reduced in hieght over the years to
about 2.5ins.
Dehra Dun
For many years a problem had existed with retired Gurkhas. They were usually
not willing to return to Nepal after so many years away from their native
country. Also there needed to be a place for the soldiers' families to settle.
To resolve this problem permanent depots were established for the Gurkha
Regiments, the 2nd were based, from 1864, at Dehra Dun in the foothills of the
Himalayas, 160 miles west of Nepal and 25 miles from Sirmoor. The regiment had
briefly been titled 17th Bengal Native Infantry in 1861 but a few months later
it was decided to number the first 5 Gurkha regiments seperately and they were
titled 2nd Gurkha (The Sirmoor Rifle) Regiment.
Mary Winchester
In 1868 the 2nd were in action on the North-West Frontier against the tribes
of the Black Mountain in Hazara, but in 1871 they were at the other extreme of
India in the east. The area of Assam was attracting British tea planters, but
the local tribes, the Nagas and the Lushais resisted their settlement. One
planter couple, named Winchester, from Elgin in Scotland, were killed and their
daughter, Mary, kidnapped by the Lushais.
An expedition under the command of Brigadier-General Brownlow set out in the
autumn of 1871. The aim was to supress the troublesome tribes and rescue Mary
Winchester. The terrain was difficult, moutainous and covered in thick jungle.
The first major battle was at Lal Gnoora, a stockaded Lushai village. The
tribemen had brought in everyone from the village within the bamboo stockade,
2.7 metres high, and set fire to buildings to provide a smoke screen. The day
was won due to the bravery of two of the men of the 2nd Gurkhas. Major Donald
Macintyre and Rifleman Inderjit Thapa scaled the stockade and fought their way
through the desperate tribesmen before they were joined by the rest of the
Gurkhas. Macintyre received the VC and Thapa the Indian Order of Merit 3rd
Class. This was the highest award for bravery available to native Indians. To
achieve IOM 1st Class, a soldier had to perform 3 acts of bravery. Only six men
ever achieved this in the 74 years that the medal existed. This iniquity was
abolished in 1911 when Indians and Gurkhas were awarded the VC.
As for Mary Winchester, she was found alive and unharmed. The Lushai doted on
her. She was nearly seven and had been with the Lushai for over a year. She
spoke their language, smoked a pipe and behaved quite precociously. When she
returned to her grandparents in Scotland she had short hair, the tribes people
had cut her long hair to keep as a souvenier.
Kabul to Kandahar
In 1876 the 2nd Gurkhas, who had come to the attention of the Prince of
Wales (the future Edward VII) were given the title 2nd (Prince of Wales's Own)
Gurkha Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles).
In September 1879, the British Resident in Kabul was killed and his escort of
Guides wiped out after a brave last stand. A punitive force under the command of
Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts VC ('Little Bobs') was sent to Kabul. Having
fought his way there, he rebuilt the fortifications and defended the city
against a seige of Afghans. He was supported in this by 3 Gurkha regiments
including the 2nd. Meanwhile the British at Kandahar, to the south, were under
threat from Ayub Khan and his army of tribesmen following a disaster at nearby
Maiwand. Roberts needed to relieve Kandahar so he set off from Kabul on his
famous march covering 320 miles in 22 days, in August 1880. Temperatures ranged
from 110 degrees by day to freezing at night. The 2nd Gurkhas along with 10,000
from other units, and 8000 followers survived these conditions as well as the
bullets from hilltop snipers.
On reaching Kandahar, Roberts set about attacking the Afghan fortified
positions. The 2nd Gurkhas and the Gordon Highlanders charged an artillery
position at Gandi Mulla. Both regiments impressed each other with their daring
behaviour and so started the long-standing mutual admiration of the two famous
regiments. On reaching the guns, one gurkha took of his cap and forced it down
the muzzle of a gun to stake the 2nd's claim.
2nd Battalion
The regiment spent some time in Malta in 1878. They were the only Gurkha
regiment to garrison the Medterranean during the Russo-Turkish War. In 1886 a
second battalion was raised for the regiment and fought in North Burma in
1888-90. And it was this unit that went to the North-West Frontier in 1897 to
fight once more alongside the Gordon Highlanders at Dargai. The Tirah
Expeditionary force was launched to regain control of the Khyber Pass.
Twentieth Century
No major engagements took place until World War 1. The uniform of the
gurkhas had been easily identifiable by the famous Kilmarnock cap. This remains
so to this day, in full dress, but the other hat for which they are now well
known came into being in 1901. The 1st Battalion in Waziristan were the first
Gurkhas to be issued with the Australian slouch hat turned up on one side. This
gave much better protection from the sun and was adopted by all the other Gurkha
regiments. During World War 1 the hat brim was straightened out and later, the
custom of two hats being forced into each other to make one stiff hat was
established. These hats are called 'Hats-Felt-Gurkha' and are worn at an angle,
tilted to the right.
The 2nd Battalion served in Flanders in the Gurkha Brigade along with all the
other Gurkha regiments but moved to Egypt in 1915 and India in 1916. The 1st
battalion went to Persia and Mesopatamia in 1916 and helped in the fall of
Baghdad. An extra battalion was raised for the duration of the war.
In the Second World War the 1st battalion were in Cyprus then went with 7th
Brigade to Egypt and fought at El Alemein. They then went to Italy and
distinguished themselves at Monte Cassino. The 3rd battalion fought with the
Chindits while the 2nd battalion, after fighting in Malaya, were captured and
spent 3 years as prisoners of the Japanese.
Partition
At the partition of India into the two new countries of Pakistan and India
in 1947, the British-led Indian Army came under the control of each of them.
Basically those consisting of mainly Muslim soldiers went to Pakistan and those
of mainly Hindus went to India. The Gurkhas, however were divided between India
and Britain. The 2nd, along with the 6th 7th and 10th were retained by the
British, while the 1st 3rd 4th 5th 8th and 9th went to the new Indian Army.
On 1st July 1994, the four British Gurkha regiments amalgamated to form The
Royal Gurkha Rifles. Originally 3 battalions, it later reduced to two.
The soldiers of the Gurkha regiments come from the Himalayan country of
Nepal, situated on the northern edge of the Indian subcontinent. It is roughly
rectangular, 540 miles long and 100 miles wide. Within this small area the
country contains tropical forest in the low lying area to the south, and some of
the highest mountains in the world, including Everest, to the north. Somwhere in
between is the capital, Khatmandu on a flat plateau in the foothills. This
plateau is regarded by the people of the country as Nepal, everywhere else is
Pahar (the hill districts) or Mades (the plains).
According to an agreement between the Nepalese and the British, recruitment
for the Gurkha regiments is restricted to Pahar where the various tribes inhabit
the higher altitudes. The racial origins of the people are diverse. Basically
there are Mongolians and Indo-Aryans. The royal family and the majority of the
inhabitants of Khatmandu are descended from Thakurs and Rajputs from India while
the Gurkha tribes are of Mongolian descent.
The use of the word Gurkha to describe the hill men comes from a place of
that name that was ruled, in the mid-18th century by Prithi Narayan Sah.
Impressed by the British military conquest of Mogul India, he thought he would
try the same against his neighbours. These Gurkhas were quite ruthless and
successful so that the expansion of the Gurkha empire carried on after the death
of Prithi Narayan Sah until the early 19th century. At this point the British
decided to put a stop to the empire-building activities of this truculent
people.
War was declared in November 1814. A force of 22,000 was sent and the first
action was a seige at Kalunga, garrisoned by 600 Gurkhas. The Britsh suffered
severe losses including a Major-General and began to wonder how they were ever
going to subdue these tough little men. Of all the generals, only one man had
the determination to press on, Sir David Ochterlony. He fought several battles
against the enemy who were commanded by Umur Sing. On 15th April 1815 a hard
fought battle at Deothul peak resulted in the retreat of the Gurkhas. Even after
this they refused to surrender and a further campaign in January 1816 had to be
waged to final bring an end to the war.
The story of Britain's struggle for the control of India has several examples
of enemies becoming firm allies. The two most notable being the Sikhs and the
Gurkhas. Both very warlike groups and both forming loyal and very effective
regiments in the British army. The first three Gurkha regiments were raised in
1815, before the final surrender of the the King of Nepal. In fact, Ochterlony
had recommended the recruitment of Gurkhas as early as 1814.
Raising of the Sirmoor Battalion
Lieutenant Frederick Young is regarded as the father of the 2nd Gurkhas. In
1814 a force of about 4000 irregular troops were raised from the hillmen who
included 'Nasiri' Gurkhas, half of whom were under Young's command. When they
were attacked by 200 Gurkhas, the hillmen fled leaving Young and a few British
officers to face the enemy alone. "Why don't you run away like your men?" asked
the Gurkhas. "I haven't come all the way here just to run away." was Young's
reply. This answer pleased them. "We could serve under men like you." So saying
they entertained Young and his officers and began to teach them their language.
By the following year Young had recruited 3000 Gurkhas in Sirmoor which is in
Garhwal, 150 miles beyond Nepal's western border. It was called the Sirmoor
Battalion. The regiment was run by British officers and senior NCOs with native
officers holding the rank of Subadar-Major (Captain), Subadar (Lieutenant) and
Jemadar (Ensign or Sub-Lieutenant). Non-commisioned ranks were Havildar
(Sergeant), Naik (Corporal) and Sepoy (Private). As time went on the British
senior NCOs were replaced by Havildar-Majors.
The Simoor battalion was the first Gurkha regiment to fight. They saw action
in the 3rd Mahratta War of 1817. Their uniform at this time was a green
tight-fitting jacket with pale blue baggy trousers. They had black belts crossed
on their chest for ammunition pouch and bayonet and at first a low cap with
pagri (turban) wrapped around it. From the start, they carried their traditional
kukri knife tucked into the front of their waistband.
Bhurtpore
The first battle honour achieved by the regiment was Bhurtpore in 1825/6. By
this time they had, in 1823, been re-named the 8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion.
The word 'local' meaning 'irregular' in this case. Lord Combermere led a force
of 21,000 men and 100 guns, British and Indian troops together with the 8th
Sirmoors. The heavily fortified town was besieged and mined with the loss of 600
of Combermere's men, but the wall was breached and the Gurkhas cut their way
though alongside their British comrades. Their bravery impressed the British and
it was reciprocated, "The English are as brave as lions. They are splendid
sepoys and very nearly equal to us!" The following year, they were renumbered as
the 6th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion.
The Sikh Wars
The 1st Sikh War took place in 1845 when the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej river
into British controlled territory. They were present at the battles of Bhudaiwal
and Sobraon. After a tough forced march under Sir Harry Smith, the Sirmoors
relieved Ludhiana. This was followed by the battle at Aliwal where they lost 145
killed and wounded. They carried colours at the time, and the flagpole was
broken by cannon fire. The colour itself was siezed by the Sikhs but reclaimed
by a small party of Gurkhas led by a Havildar who chopped their way into the
densely packed enemy lines.
The Indian
Mutiny broke out on 11th May 1857 at Meerut. This was a revolt of some of
the Indians serving in the British-led Indian regiments. Unrest had been
building for some time but the spark that lit the gunpowder was the new issue of
Enfield rifles with their contraversial cartridges. These required the paper end
to be torn off with the teeth. The problem was that the paper, to protect it in
wet contidions, was greased with what the agitators claimed was the fat from
cows and pigs. Hindus would never allow produce from a cow to pass their lips
and the same for Moslems with pig produce.
In some cases whole Bengal regiments mutinied, but many remained loyal to the
British, including the Gurkhas. In fact two more Gurkha regiments were raised
during the course of the mutiny. The mutineers gravitated towards Delhi until
20,000 garrisoned the city. The Sirmoor Battalion, as it was now called, (the
number 6 had been dropped in 1850) under it's commanding officer Major Charles
Reid, set out from it's base at Dehra Dun. They made forced marches and
travelled by boat up the Ganges Canal to Delhi. They stopped to rest at one
point and were approached by some Indian sappers who tried to convince the
Gurkhas that bullocks bones had been ground up and mixed with their flour. But
they jeered at the sappers and enjoyed a hearty meal of chappatis and dhal.
One of the most famous battles fought by the 2nd Gurkhas was the defence of
Hindu Rao's house just outside Delhi. For
this action, they fought alongside the 60th Rifles and the Corps of Guides
Infantry.
When they arrived at Delhi one eye-witness noted that 'The Gurkhas were so
delighted at the chance of getting a fight that they threw somersaults and cut
capers.' On the 10th June a force of 500 mutineers came out of the city towards
their position. Major Reid led seven companies of his Sirmoors, two companies of
the 60th Rifles and 150 Guides together with two artillery pieces to meet them.
The British at this time were jittery about the loyalty of all the native troops
but the Gurkhas were to prove their loyalty in spectacular fashion.
As they approached, the mutineers called out to the Gurkhas. "We expect the
Gurkhas to join us, we won't fire." "Oh yes, we're coming to join you now."
shouted the Gurkhas. they approached, smiling, to within 20 paces and opened
fire, killing 20-30 mutineers.
The loyalty of the Gurkhas was never again questioned. They were under
constant fire for more than 3 months and defeated 26 seperate attacks from the
city. Out of 9 officers only one survived. They lost 327 men out of 490. It is
worth quoting the account of Captain Griffiths of the 61st to appreciate the
quality of the Gurkhas:
'In battle they seem in their proper element, fierce and courageous,
shrinking from no danger. As soldiers they are second to none, amenable to
discipline and docile, but very tigers when roused. They fought with unflinching
spirit during the Mutiny......No assault, however strong and determined, made
any impression on the men of these gallant regiments.'
Changes
The Indian
Mutiny was a watershed in the development of the army in India. Nearly all
the native regiments were re-numbered to fill in the gaps left by disbanded
regiments but the greatest change was the transfer of the whole Indian Army from
being administered by the Honourable East India Company to the Crown. The change
affected the Sirmoors in that they were given the honour of becoming a Rifle
regiment. From 1858 they were the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment and the men were no
longer sepoys but riflemen. They were also required to relinquish their colours
as Rifle regiments do not carry them. They were compensated for this in 1863
when the Queen granted them the special honour of carrying their famous
ceremonial truncheon on parade.
This was also the post-Crimean period that saw great changes in uniform
throughout the army. At the time of the Mutiny, the Sirmoors were still wearing
tight fitting short jackets. These were to be replaced by tunics which were more
comfortable. The dark green tunic had red facings in recognition of their close
association with the 60th Rifles who fought alongside them at Delhi. The cap,
called a Kilmarnock had been adorned with the red and black diced headband for
some years. It's origins are somewhat obscure but are thought to have been
introduced by a Scottish commanding officer. At the time of the Mutiny the
Kilmarnock was quite tall, about 6ins, but reduced in hieght over the years to
about 2.5ins.
Dehra Dun
For many years a problem had existed with retired Gurkhas. They were usually
not willing to return to Nepal after so many years away from their native
country. Also there needed to be a place for the soldiers' families to settle.
To resolve this problem permanent depots were established for the Gurkha
Regiments, the 2nd were based, from 1864, at Dehra Dun in the foothills of the
Himalayas, 160 miles west of Nepal and 25 miles from Sirmoor. The regiment had
briefly been titled 17th Bengal Native Infantry in 1861 but a few months later
it was decided to number the first 5 Gurkha regiments seperately and they were
titled 2nd Gurkha (The Sirmoor Rifle) Regiment.
Mary Winchester
In 1868 the 2nd were in action on the North-West Frontier against the tribes
of the Black Mountain in Hazara, but in 1871 they were at the other extreme of
India in the east. The area of Assam was attracting British tea planters, but
the local tribes, the Nagas and the Lushais resisted their settlement. One
planter couple, named Winchester, from Elgin in Scotland, were killed and their
daughter, Mary, kidnapped by the Lushais.
An expedition under the command of Brigadier-General Brownlow set out in the
autumn of 1871. The aim was to supress the troublesome tribes and rescue Mary
Winchester. The terrain was difficult, moutainous and covered in thick jungle.
The first major battle was at Lal Gnoora, a stockaded Lushai village. The
tribemen had brought in everyone from the village within the bamboo stockade,
2.7 metres high, and set fire to buildings to provide a smoke screen. The day
was won due to the bravery of two of the men of the 2nd Gurkhas. Major Donald
Macintyre and Rifleman Inderjit Thapa scaled the stockade and fought their way
through the desperate tribesmen before they were joined by the rest of the
Gurkhas. Macintyre received the VC and Thapa the Indian Order of Merit 3rd
Class. This was the highest award for bravery available to native Indians. To
achieve IOM 1st Class, a soldier had to perform 3 acts of bravery. Only six men
ever achieved this in the 74 years that the medal existed. This iniquity was
abolished in 1911 when Indians and Gurkhas were awarded the VC.
As for Mary Winchester, she was found alive and unharmed. The Lushai doted on
her. She was nearly seven and had been with the Lushai for over a year. She
spoke their language, smoked a pipe and behaved quite precociously. When she
returned to her grandparents in Scotland she had short hair, the tribes people
had cut her long hair to keep as a souvenier.
Kabul to Kandahar
In 1876 the 2nd Gurkhas, who had come to the attention of the Prince of
Wales (the future Edward VII) were given the title 2nd (Prince of Wales's Own)
Gurkha Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles).
In September 1879, the British Resident in Kabul was killed and his escort of
Guides wiped out after a brave last stand. A punitive force under the command of
Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts VC ('Little Bobs') was sent to Kabul. Having
fought his way there, he rebuilt the fortifications and defended the city
against a seige of Afghans. He was supported in this by 3 Gurkha regiments
including the 2nd. Meanwhile the British at Kandahar, to the south, were under
threat from Ayub Khan and his army of tribesmen following a disaster at nearby
Maiwand. Roberts needed to relieve Kandahar so he set off from Kabul on his
famous march covering 320 miles in 22 days, in August 1880. Temperatures ranged
from 110 degrees by day to freezing at night. The 2nd Gurkhas along with 10,000
from other units, and 8000 followers survived these conditions as well as the
bullets from hilltop snipers.
On reaching Kandahar, Roberts set about attacking the Afghan fortified
positions. The 2nd Gurkhas and the Gordon Highlanders charged an artillery
position at Gandi Mulla. Both regiments impressed each other with their daring
behaviour and so started the long-standing mutual admiration of the two famous
regiments. On reaching the guns, one gurkha took of his cap and forced it down
the muzzle of a gun to stake the 2nd's claim.
2nd Battalion
The regiment spent some time in Malta in 1878. They were the only Gurkha
regiment to garrison the Medterranean during the Russo-Turkish War. In 1886 a
second battalion was raised for the regiment and fought in North Burma in
1888-90. And it was this unit that went to the North-West Frontier in 1897 to
fight once more alongside the Gordon Highlanders at Dargai. The Tirah
Expeditionary force was launched to regain control of the Khyber Pass.
Twentieth Century
No major engagements took place until World War 1. The uniform of the
gurkhas had been easily identifiable by the famous Kilmarnock cap. This remains
so to this day, in full dress, but the other hat for which they are now well
known came into being in 1901. The 1st Battalion in Waziristan were the first
Gurkhas to be issued with the Australian slouch hat turned up on one side. This
gave much better protection from the sun and was adopted by all the other Gurkha
regiments. During World War 1 the hat brim was straightened out and later, the
custom of two hats being forced into each other to make one stiff hat was
established. These hats are called 'Hats-Felt-Gurkha' and are worn at an angle,
tilted to the right.
The 2nd Battalion served in Flanders in the Gurkha Brigade along with all the
other Gurkha regiments but moved to Egypt in 1915 and India in 1916. The 1st
battalion went to Persia and Mesopatamia in 1916 and helped in the fall of
Baghdad. An extra battalion was raised for the duration of the war.
In the Second World War the 1st battalion were in Cyprus then went with 7th
Brigade to Egypt and fought at El Alemein. They then went to Italy and
distinguished themselves at Monte Cassino. The 3rd battalion fought with the
Chindits while the 2nd battalion, after fighting in Malaya, were captured and
spent 3 years as prisoners of the Japanese.
Partition
At the partition of India into the two new countries of Pakistan and India
in 1947, the British-led Indian Army came under the control of each of them.
Basically those consisting of mainly Muslim soldiers went to Pakistan and those
of mainly Hindus went to India. The Gurkhas, however were divided between India
and Britain. The 2nd, along with the 6th 7th and 10th were retained by the
British, while the 1st 3rd 4th 5th 8th and 9th went to the new Indian Army.
On 1st July 1994, the four British Gurkha regiments amalgamated to form The
Royal Gurkha Rifles. Originally 3 battalions, it later reduced to two.
"As i write these words my thoughts return to you who were my comrades, the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal. Once more I hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship. Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your camp fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun. Uncomplaining and endure hunger and thirst and wounds, and at the last your unwavering lines dissappear into smoke and wrath of battle. Bravest of the brave, most generous of generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you". - Sir Ralph Turner
A face contorted with willpower and strength, a warrior honorable, courageous, loyal and wise. He is a symbol of these qualities in war and peace. His fierceness is as legendary as his loyalty to the British Monarch and his regimental history is packed with acts of unbelievable bravery and sacrifice. The love of his mountains homeland and his family is deep and keeps luring him back after the call of duty. He is the unconquerable Gurkha soldier and a legend in his own right. The word ‘Gurkha’ is derived from Gorkha. The latter is small town in Nepal and the significance of this place is indistinguishable to the history of the Gurkhas. The importance of this town is monumental for both Nepalese and Gurkha history. Ninety kilometers north of Kathmandu valley, lies the town Gorkha where it all began.
‘Gorkha Durbar’ is a palace, fort built with a strategic intent by the kings of Gorkha for their planned expansion across the country and beyond.
Prithvi Narayan Shah was the most famous king born in Gorkha. At a time when Nepal was dissected into various small kingdoms, Prithvi Narayan Shah managed to unite them all through his military skills and operation. As the operation progressed, ambition also grew with it. Northwards expansion towards Tibet angered The Chinese while southern expansion towards India alarmed the British. This brought the fierce Gorkhas or Gurkhas later known, into direct conflict with the British East India Comapany.
The Gorkha soldier known for their speed and their willingness to fight till death under extreme conditions had an intricate knowledge of the terrain and were perfectly suited for guerilla warfare. The British were reluctant to take on such an elusive and successful Gorkha force, which had required the strength of a vast Chinese army to push them out of Tibet. Eventually the Governor General of Bengal was authorized to declare that the British Empire was at war with the small but aggressive state of Nepal. The time this declaration was made, Nepal was under the insightful leadership of Prime Minister, Maharaja Bhim Sen Thapa. This was to be the first campaign for the British General with the unfamiliar hill army of Nepal. British Attacks:
The eastern battalion was confronted by extremely difficult territory and failed in every single objective and first campaign nearly collapsed. A British General by the name of Rollo Gillespie left his camp at Meerut and headed towards the Nepali border with 4000 men and 20 guns. He captured the valley of Dehra Dun but was abruptly halted for six weeks by Gorkha resistance run from a small fort in Kalunga. It was built on a 152-meter high hill and was surrounded by dense undergrowth. In it were 600 men and women. Gillespie’s army had surrounded the fort and was convinced that the Gorkha would give up resistance since being outnumbered. He sent a message asking the Gorkhas to surrender. Instead, the leader of the Gorkhas tore the letter and in the next few days repelled several attacks by the British. One of Gillespie’s officer, James Fraser wrote, ‘They fought us in fair conflict like men, and in the intervals of actual combat, showed us a courtesy worthy of a more enlightened people. John ship wrote: “I never saw more steadiness or bravery exhibited in my life. Run they would not and of death, they seemed to have no fear, though their comrades were falling thick around them, for we were so near that every shot told”. In the middle of all this chaos, a gorkha came clamoring over the ramparts. His jaw had been shattered by a musket ball and was pleading for medical assistance. After receiving treatment from his British adversaries, the British were expecting him to surrender but he audaciously said no and headed back to the fort to resume the battle. Every British attack on the fort was repelled. The Gorkhas threw every kind of missile at the British soldiers until, out of food, water and ammunition; the fort finally gave in to the attacks. Still, there was no surrender. The remaining 85 able-bodied Gorkhas escaped under cover of darkness to fight another day. The battle of the fort had been ferocious and the British had suffered more losses. The British casualties included 31 officers and 732 soldiers while Gorkhas lost 520. Two years later, two obelisks rose at the sight of the fort in honor of the British and the ‘gallant adversary’.
Western front was under the leadership of General David Ochterlony faced the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa. The Gorkha were forced to retreat but this small British victory did not dampen the Nepalese spirit. The British still needed more firepower to dislodge the Gorkhas. Given the circumstances, the court of directors decided to mobilize 35000 men and 120 artillery pieces. They managed to defeat the Gurkhas but such was their admiration for their adversary that they let Amar Singh Thapa march out with all his arms and his personal property. The Gorkha forces were heavily outstretched and were forced to seek a settlement before being completely outrun. One of the British generals wrote in 1815, “ they are hardy, cheerful and endure privations and obedient, have not much of the distinction of caste and are a neutral kind of Hindu. Under our government, they would make excellent soldiers.” After this an important highly unusual clause was included in the peace agreement, which was known as the “ Treaty of Segauli”. The clause gave the British army the right to recruit Nepalese citizens. Then on, Nepal became the only nation whose citizen fought in wars that it had no direct conflict with. The initiation of the recruitment itself was unique in military history. Seldom in the history of warfare been two sides so impressed by the others performance and bravery that they decided to unite rather than collide. From then on, the comradeship between the British and Gurkhas soldiers has grown unflinchingly.
Since then, many Nepalese, mostly the Rais, Limbus, Gurungs, Magars and Tamangs have served and still serve in the British army. Their courage, sincerity and loyalty have won them praise and friendship from their British counterparts and fear and respect from their enemies. For their valor, many Gurkha soldiers have been decorated with medals of honors, including the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor from bravery in the British army.
Would you like to know why Gurkhas make great security personnel?
Today, Gurkhas are marked by their graciousness, loyalty and great courage. As gentle in daily life as they are fearless and tenacious in battle, they are a dignified people and ideal soldiers and security personnel.
A brief history of the Gurkhas and their ethos:
The Gurkhas have a long, steadfast and distinguished association with the United Kingdom. They first encountered the British in the Gurkha War of 1814 – 1816 , which ended not just in stalemate, but with an abiding sense of mutual respect and admiration between the two sides.
A soldier of the 87th Foot wrote in his memoirs: “I never saw more steadiness or bravery exhibited in my life. Run they would not, and of death they seemed to have no fear, though their comrades were falling thick around them”.
The Peace Treaty that ended the war enabled Gurkhas to serve under contract in the East India Company’s army, for whom they first fought in the Pindaree War of 1817. Thus began Britain’s relationship with Nepal.
Gurkhas fought on the British side in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and at the end of the war, Gurkhas became a part of the British Indian Army. In recognition of their service at Delhi, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles was awarded the Queen’s Truncheon, a unique emblem which is believed to have magical powers. To this day, new recruits to The Royal Gurkha Rifles swear allegiance to the Crown and the Regiment on the Truncheon.
From 1857 until 1947, the Gurkha regiments saw service in Burma, Afghanistan, the North-East and North-West Frontiers of India, Malta (The Russo-Turkish War 1877-78), Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer rebellion of 1900), Tibet, and in the First and Second World Wars. They have continued to serve in every major conflict since.
British officials in the 19th century declared the Gurkhas as a ‘Martial Race’, a term describing people thought to be ‘naturally warlike and aggressive in battle’ possessing qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strength.
Gurkhas are famed for carrying a khukuri. It is the national weapon of Nepal, but it is also used as a work tool in the Hills. Each Gurkha carries two khukuris, one for every-day use and one for ceremonial purposes. Their famous war cry, “Ayo Gorkhali” translates as “The Gurkhas are here”, their motto, ‘Kaphar hunnu bhanda marnu ramro’ means, ‘It is better to die than to live like a coward.
“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you” by Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931. If you would like to know more about the history of the Gurkhas, click here for the Brigade of Gurkhas MOD army website.
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Gurkhas are recruited from the
hill people of Nepal who trace their roots right back to an 8th century
Hindu warrior, Guru Gorakhnath. They first encountered the British in
the Gurkha War of 1814-1816, which ended not just in stalemate, but with
an abiding sense of mutual respect and admiration between the two
sides.
The Peace Treaty that ended the war enabled Gurkhas to serve under
contract in the East India Company Army and then later the British Army.
Thus began the relationship between Britain and Nepal, our oldest ally
in Asia.
Between 1857 and 1947, the Gurkha regiments saw service in Burma,
Afghanistan, the North-East and North-West Frontiers of India, Malta
(The Russo-Turkish War 1877-78), Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer
rebellion of 1900), Tibet and in various theatres of the First and
Second World Wars.
They have continued to serve in every major conflict since and still
do so today. Indeed, on return from his tour in Afghanistan where he
served alongside the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, HRH Prince
Harry said that there was “no safer place than by the side of a Gurkha”.
After
a series of hard fought battles, the Treaty of Segauli is made between
Nepal and The Honourable East India Company. In 1815 the Gurkhas’
fighting qualities are recognised and they are first enlisted into the
armies of the British Crown.
1817 — 1818
Pindari War
Following
years of plundering in Gujarat and Mirzapur by the Pindaris, British
and Indian Army troops, including Gurkhas, defeated the Pindari Army of
30,000 horsemen.
1845 — 1846
Anglo-Sikh War
In
1845 a Sikh army crossed the Sutlej River in the Punjab – starting a
war. Gurkhas fought hard at the battles of Aliwal and Sobroan. The
Commander of the Army wrote of Gurkhas: “They vied in ardent courage
with The Grenadiers and, armed with the short weapon of their mountains,
were a terror to the Sikhs”.
1848 — 1849
Second Anglo-Sikh War
A
series of increasing Sikh rebellions in the Punjab against British
administration lead to war. The turning point was the Battle of
Chillianwalla, a savage contest with both sides suffering great numbers
of casualties. Final victory went to the British.
Gurkhas
fought with the British during the Indian Mutiny, remaining loyal to
the British Indian Army. Gurkhas of The Sirmoor Battalion, later to
become part of today’s Brigade of Gurkhas, became Riflemen and were to
be honoured by Queen Victoria with a unique Truncheon in recognition of
their bravery and loyalty at the siege of Delhi.
1817
Pindari War
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