The National Memorial Arboretum
Exploring some of the memorials with South Asian connections at the year-round centre for Remembrance.
© South Asian Heritage Trust | All Rights Reserved
The Gurkha Rifles have been an integral part of the British Army for hundreds of years and have seen service all over the world. In 1982, the Gurkhas would be sent to the Falklands Islands, some 11,000 miles from Nepal. With little notice, men of the Gurkha Rifles set sail for the Falklands. Dalbahadur Rai recalled the journey.
“The boat we went on was the QEII, much bigger than the one I had gone from Calcutta on, and much better furnished! Cloth was put over the velvet cushion covers to keep them clean. We were always a bit scared of sinking as there was a war on and rescue would be difficult. On the QEII we were not very seasick. In fact, the Welsh Guards were more seasick than we were! At my level we did not find the Welsh and Scots accents all that hard to understand but at soldier level there were some problems with the Scots.
Our minds were prepared to go anywhere and eat anything as we had sworn an oath to obey all orders. As for our traditions and discipline, each regiment has its own, as the Guards battalions had their and kept to them. Even so, we Gurkhas made less noise and drank less than the British soldiers.” [1] [2]
During the Falkland’s conflict, Gurkhas took Mount William in the final battles around Port Stanley. When the attack commenced on 14th June, in broad daylight, to the disappointment of the Gurkhas, their fearsome reputation proceeded them, and Argentine forces surrendered to the Scots Guards when they saw the Gurkhas advancing.
[1] D. Rai, Interview cited in J. Cross & B. Gurung, Gurkhas at War (2007) Kindle Version (Location 5128)
[2] Men of 7GR returning from the Falkalnds in 1982. Image Ref: The Gurkha Museum
Exploring some of the memorials with South Asian connections at the year-round centre for Remembrance.
An aviation enthusiast’s special mission to honour a Second World War agent in occupied France.
The Indian Army Memorial Room stands as a tribute to the rich history and enduring spirit of the Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army.
The story behind the tribute to commemorate the service of Sikh members of the Armed Forces.
The first of the Trust’s projects is the South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), which first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year.
SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.
It seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.
© South Asian Heritage Trust | All Rights Reserved
