Lord Bramall writes in the Sindy today, under the headline: Don't be sentimental, we have treated the Gurkhas well. UPDATE: this link now works, if it didn't before.The Field Marshall was a Gurkha officer and loves them dearly, so I respect his views. He was very highly thought of when I was a very junior infantry officer. Nevertheless, he is an Establishment man, and I think we all know that Establishment people think differently to the rest of us.
8 comments:
He probably views Gurkhas as some sort of amusing household pet, possibly, but not certainly, distantly related to humans. As such, their current status in the UK as second or even third class citizens has them (I suspect) already way above their station.
Where did the tax receipts on the soldiers' wages get paid - to Nepal or to Her Maj's gummint?
Good point. Tax receipts to HM Exchequer, I suspect.
My bro went out with a daughter of FM Sir John Chapple, another Gurkha officer who reached the highest rank. He was also my chief of British Forces in HK in 1981, and I met him often. I promise you that Chapple, like Dwin Bramall, viewed Johnny Gurkha as a special human being, not as cannon fodder or kitty litter.
The link doesn't appear to work, Idle.
Thanks, pip. Fixed.
"Don't be sentimental, we have treated the Gurkhas well" - to which I would respond, "Don't be cynical, no we haven't".
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have encountered many Gurkhas and the Brit officers at very close quarters and have nothing but profound admiration for both their enormous courage and their quiet dignity no matter what they are doing. The vast majority of the population, I suspect, also appreciates their sacrifices and service on behalf of the UK and would happily pay the extra costs of having some of them in our midst. Many ex-Gurkhas now enjoy happy and profitable lives working in the security industry in eg Singapore and no doubt many UK employers would jump at the chance of having people of their ability on their security staff. The Minister should reconsider his (in my view) misguided decision.
I once attended a public display by some Gurkhas who, many people probably don't know, march at double quick time, almost at a run. On that occasion their CO was a chap about 6'9 tall, whereas all his troops were about 5'5. It was (unintentionally) amusing to see him skipping alongside his charges as the drummers maintained a furious beat.
On re-reading my initial comment I see I was harshly presumptuous about someone you have personal knowledge of an I have only read about - my apologies for that. The tax point should be taken up by Ms. Lumley.
Presumptive?
Hello Idle
Sorry to have missed you yesterday...all a bit frantic on the Farqs front! Next time Turf Club.....
Your bro went out with Kate Chapple? Her brother Dave was a contemporary of mine at Slough Grammer, now a surgeon in the West Country somewhere......
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