Gurkha Line boy: Rajendra Chhetri

Rajendra Chhetri

I am the 1st Nepali in Woking and former Gurkha Line-boy, one who grew up in the British Army Camps Garrisons in the British Far East Colonies of Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong including the New Territories.

My family history of connection with British--Britain goes back to 1860s when my illiterate Great grandfather trekked from Western Nepal to British India and joined the last of the British East India Company's Army in Assam before the British Government took over the territories conquered by this British Trading Company. His son, my grandfather was sent to local school and educated. He also joined the British Indian Army and progressed to Subedar Captain Rank.

His only daughter my paternal aunt trained as Midwife also joined 10th Gurkha Rifles in February 1938. Almost eight years later she adopted me as her youngest son. She became the Senior Sister/Nurse in the Family Hospital of 1st Battalion of 10th Gurkha Rifles which later received the Royal Title Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles. My mother cared for the wives and children of the Gurkha soldiers.

Every time the Battalion was re-posted to new venue Garrison across the vastness of India she had to literally jumped from one carriage to next every time train stopped for refueling. It was her duty to ensure mothers and babies/children were fine.

From Assam the Battalion was pastd to Quetta IN ALUCHISAN, TO NORTHERN AND CENTRAL INDIA until INDIA WAS GRANTED iNDEPENDENCE. Once Tri-Party Treaty was signed between Britain, Nepal and newly Independent India four Gurkha Regiments each with two Battalions were taken by Great Britain as the INTEGRAL Part of His Majesty's Government Forces.

Thus, almost Eight thousand Gurkhas in the BRITISH ARMY mobilised to defend the British colonies in the Far East. To Protect the Conduits of the Revenues to the British TREASURY. In MALAYA GURKHAS WERE DEPLOYED DURING THE MALAYAN EMERGENCY TO FIGHT COMMUNIST INSURGENTS, IN SINGAPORE TO PROTECT THE MOST IMPORTANT ENTREPOT. IN SOUTH EAST ASIA and Hong Kong and New Territories Great Britain had extracted from CHINA AFTER THE OPIUM WAR. Those days Great Britain sold Opium in CHINA.
I wanted EQUAL PAY, LENGTH OF SERVICE AND PENSION and applied to enlist in the ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP. MOD DID NOT BOTHER REPLYING MY LETTER. Regimental Medical Officer Empathise with my situation and told my Midwife mother they will get me into the NHS.

As I grew up in the British Army Camps, I noticed the DISPARITY in Pay, Length of Service and of course the Pension between British Comrades in Arms and the Gurkhas. I was a very curious child and used to wander around the camp looking into British and Gurkhas separate Cool. Houses and quality of Meals, the British Children with "Pocket Money" that the could indulge in Comics from UK and sweets and fizzy drinks. The British Family buying quality food in NAAFI--Navy, ARMY AIR FORCE INSTITUTION and in "COLD STORAGE" IN TOWNS--PROVIDING BRITISH FAYRE. I was still learning English. language but had not come across the word DISCRIMINATION.

In Singapore where I moved in 1963. I saw British Servicemen and their Families having a WHALE OF A TIME in BRITANNIA CLUB, UNION JACK CLUB and in clubs near Royal Naval and RAF BASES.

I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND THE MENTALITY OF THE BROTOSH OFFICIALS.

When a Gurkha was killed in Action in the war against Communist within weeks Gurkha widow was put in a 3-ton Bedford Lorry and to Sea-port to Calcutta and then by train to border of Nepal and India. These widows--only 16 to 20 years old had to be counselled by my Midwife/Nurse mother before being dispatched.

So, Remembrance Day Service BRINGS MANY MEMORIES OF THE GURKHA widows, orphaned children and the parents of soldiers killed in action. And of course Riflemen injured and invalidate during the course of their Duty. Amazingly these Indomitable and rustic Hillmen remained loyal to the Oath of their Allegiance to their last Breath.

In the last 14 days, I read so many accounts of British Veterans Families regarding the 1st World War. But nothing on Loyal Gurkhas except for the Gurkha Welfare Trust Advertisement for Donation to the Charity. I read "Too Proud to ask too old to work" In between the advertisement was the statement, Nineteen Thousand Gurkhas were killed in action, and acknowledgement Gurkhas fought for Great Britain in both World Wars.

For me when the MOD did not answer my letter to enlist in RAMC it was a blessing. I served in the NHS over 44 years and came to know the British People better and campaigned for the rights of Older British People with Mental Health Issues and Dementia.

To me Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day are important as I embrace the British Tradition. It is the duty to fight Social Injustice. I was educated in Christian Missionary Schools in Malaya and Singapore. So, armed with Christian ethos, edicts Ideology. I campaigned against Social Injustice for the Gurkha Veterans and the Older British Adults with Health issues. I look forward to Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service every year. WOKING's Royal Naval Association and the Borough Council do the best Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service.

May GOD SAVE HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II in the going down of the Sun and in the Morning: WE WILL REMEMBER THEM !