6th Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association

DEDICATION OF THE 14th /20th KING’S HUSSARS MEMORIAL AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

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On October 3rd, my wife Ria and I were privileged to represent the Association at the unveiling and dedication of a Memorial to all those who served in the 14th/20th Kings Hussars, our affiliated regiment. The ceremony took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and we were blessed with good weather.

The genesis of the Memorial was an amazing story of dedication and determination, essentially driven by Darren Walker and his wife Rachel.  Darren had been a Bandsman in the 14/20KH  Band and as such was also a medic. He had been in support of, then Major, Richard Shirreff’s B Squadron in the Iraq War, a squadron which also included Ian Thomas as 2 IC. The Walkers felt strongly that there should be a specific Memorial to the Regiment which had been formed in 1922 but had merged with the Royal Hussars in 1992 to form the Kings Royal Hussars. The Walkers raised the funds for the Memorial, gained permission for it to be included with the other Cavalry memorials, did the design and commissioned both the stone mason and the metal sculpture. After a huge effort and despite Covid, the memorial was finally ready in 2022, appropriately, 100 years after the formation of the Regiment.

As can be seen from the photographs, the Memorial includes the all-important Prussian Eagle, the cap badge of the Regiment; the badge that during my service, we as 6th Gurkhas wore on our right sleeve. This is a beautiful piece of art produced by sculptor Alan Williams, but made almost entirely from items recovered from scrap bins in the Kings Royal Hussars tank park. As such, it is particularly special to the soldiers and officers of the Regiment who spent so much time and depended so much on their tanks and other equipment.

The service itself was delightfully low key, but very moving, with Chaplain Clive Baggallay, a former soldier in 14/20KH, leading the Dedication and prayers and Peter Garbutt reading a thought provoking poem by Darren Walker as well as the Regimental collect. General Sir Adrian Bradshaw did the unveiling of the Memorial and led the Act of Remembrance. A buffet lunch followed the service and included a toast to absent friends led by General Sir Richard Shirreff.

As well as the importance and significance of the Memorial Dedication, one thing that I found most moving was the strength of the bonds that still exist between our two regiments. You will see the crossed khukuris of the 43rd Gurkha Lorried Infantry Brigade shown prominently on the memorial, but more importantly for me was the large number of former soldiers and wives who wore a crossed khukuri or a 6 GR badge; very special!

Duncan Briggs

COMMEMORATION OF THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN WITH B (GALLIPOLI) COMPANY 2 RGR

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As many readers will know, our Association has affiliations with a number of companies in the Royal Gurkha Rifles based on past battle honours and these links are something that we have been trying to strengthen in the recent past. In 2 RGR, who had recently returned from Brunei, our affiliation is with B (Gallipoli) Company and so the invitation to join them for their Gallipoli Commemoration Day on 13 September was much appreciated.

My wife Ria and I were very happy take up the invitation as were two of our veterans living in the Shorncliffe area, CSgt Gyam Gurung and Ramlal Shrestha, plus, we were delighted that Gavin Edgerley-Harris was also able to join us to represent the Association. The day began with a ceremony at the Guard Room, with an extremely smart guard of honour, a short service, a minute’s silence and a wreath laying, including our Association wreath. After coffee and time to chat with the officers, men and families of B Company, we moved into a large MT Shed where 4 presentations on various aspects of the Gallipoli campaign had been prepared by the young riflemen of the Company. These had been well researched, despite limited time, and just showed how capable the young riflemen were and how good their spoken English had become. It was wonderful to see how interested and involved the young men had become with the gallant deeds of their forefathers and how much respect they had for those who fought in that most difficult of campaigns.

We were really pleased to meet with Lt Col Nicholas Moran, the Commanding Officer, with Major Tim Cummings the Officer Commanding B Company plus the current Company 2IC Captain Shiva Rai and his replacement Captain Begindra Limbu and of course many of the NCOs and Riflemen of B Company plus many wives. Our visit ended with a delicious tipan tapan and drinks, and we departed knowing that our Association had re-established strong personal links with B (Gallipoli) Company and 2 RGR.

I was extremely grateful to Gavin Edgerley-Harris, Gyam Gurung and Ramlal Shrestha for making time to join us and for me it was wonderful to catch up with both Gyam and Ramlal after many years.

Duncan Briggs

THE “SLIM SAHEB” PRESENTATION

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It finally happened, after so many postponements due to Covid restrictions, the much awaited presentation on “Slim Saheb” finally took place at the Gurkha Museum on Friday 03 June.

It had of course been planned for 2020 to link with the Journal and to recognise that it was 100 years since Captain William Slim had joined 1/6GR, but it was more than worth the wait. Much had been written about Slim, but little about his very formative years as an officer in the Gurkhas of the British Indian Army and it was intended to try to fill this gap. What made it even more special was that we had 9 members of the Field Marshall Slim’s family attending, including his daughter, 5 grandchildren and a great grandson also called Bill.

The presentation was led by John Mackinlay, covering Slim’s early links with 6GR at Gallipoli and then his service in 1/6GR on the North West Frontier. Bob Couldrey from 7GR covered the middle period of Slim’s service, including his command of 2/7GR and Ray Pett dealt with Slim’s later service including the Burma campaign, highlighting how important his service with Gurkhas had been for getting the best out of the many British Indian Army units that he had under command. It was an outstanding presentation; so much in depth research and so professionally presented in the lovely Macdonald Room at the Museum.

After the presentation and a few drinks, we returned to the Macdonald Gallery for a very special moment; the unveiling of the full length portrait that had been presented to the Museum by the President and Chairman of the Association. This was in fact a professional copy of the portrait of Field Marshall Slim that previously graced the Officers Mess in 6GR and had been copied under the expert artistic eye of John Mackinlay. The Honourable Una Rowcliffe, (nee Slim), the Field Marshall’s daughter kindly unveiled the portrait to great applause.

The day concluded with a delicious bhat provided by the Museum and lots of discussion about “Slim Saheb” and his years in the British Indian Army. It was a wonderful occasion, made extra special by the presence so many of the Slim Family. It was also memorable as the first Association event after the Covid19 Lockdown and we look forward to many, many more. Jai Sixth.

Duncan Briggs


PHOTOGRAPHS

8489    Una Slim about to unveil her father’s portrait in the Macdonald Gallery.
8503    The portrait of Field Marshall Slim.
8506    Members of the Slim Family who attended the “Slim Saheb” presentation.

2020 AGM of the Nepal branch

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Issued 22 April 2020

The AGM took place at Pokhara, Nepal, on Saturday 21 March 2020. Coronavirus restrictions meant it was limited to 25 attendees but the business of the meeting was succesfully conducted.

6 GR REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEPAL, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020, SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at Hotel Gurkha Haven, Dam Side, Pokhara on Saturday 21 March 2020 but unlike previous AGMs, it was a mini – gathering with just 22 members attending including 3 UK members who were here visiting  their friends and relatives. Sadly this very low attendance, the lowest ever since the formation of 6 GR Regimental Association Nepal some 23 years ago, was due to severe restriction, of maximum of 25 people at any gathering, placed by the Nepali authorities to prevent possible spread of deadly Covid 19 virus in Nepal.

Even with very low attendance anticipated and exclusion of some elderly members, we were compelled to go ahead due to legal requirements governing the functioning of ‘associations’ in Nepal. Many of our ‘old and bold’ living in the vicinity, who were eager to attend and would have very much graced the function, had to be politely asked not to come due to the nature of Corona virus that reportedly tend to affect the elderly more than the ‘not so elderly’. This meeting also marked the 23rd anniversary of the formation of the 6 GR Regt Association of Nepal.

A month earlier, committee members and Area Representatives from Kathmandu, Chitwan and Butwal had met at this very venue to plan the AGM and a simultaneous ‘6 GR Reunions’ at all three locations a week later. Attendance at AGM, at that time, was anticipated at 200 members with most coming from nearby districts of Baglung, Parbat, Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun. And to cater for this number, we planned on hiring a local ‘Party Palace’. The Area Reps had been busy informing members in their respective areas, finding suitable venues and making necessary arrangements for a successful gathering. The Chairman had already nominated committee members to attend these ‘Reunions’ to show our solidarity and the central committee’s presence there. But as the crisis loomed and restrictions became known, we hurriedly altered our plans and relocated the AGM to Gurkha Haven and postponed the ‘Reunions’ until such time the situation is back to normal and restrictions no longer extant.

Prior to the commencement of the AGM, all committee members gathered at ‘Gurkha Memorial Museum’ at 0900 hours to review the site for future placement of the ‘6 GR Memorial’. Many pros and cons of the allocated site was discussed and final decision will be forwarded by the coordinator, Major Gopal Gurung MBE, for consideration by the UK team.

Although 6 GR AGM 2020 was the one with the least number of members attending and no ladies at all, it was a very enjoyable and a wonderful of gathering of old friends of all ranks. Over a few beer and delicious curry lunch, we relived our happy days and much cherished memories as members of 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles. Everyone taking the time to reflect on the good old bygone days and reinforcing the bonds and camaraderie that will forever bind us together as 6 GR family.

Finally, the Chairman and all members of the central committee thank Major Gyanbahadur Gurung Sahib for so graciously and continuously allowing 6 GR Regimental Association, Nepal, to use the premises and facilities at Hotel Gurkha Haven gratis for all functions undertaken and as our de facto permanent base in Nepal. Thank you very much Gyanbahadur Sahib!!

Jai 6 Gurkha

Welcome to the official website of the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles

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The 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles was a rifle regiment of the British Indian Army comprising Gurkha soldiers of Nepalese origin, before being transferred to the British Army following India’s independence. Originally raised in 1817, the name 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles ceased to exist as part of the British Army in 1994.

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Provided and maintained by the 6th Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association, this website aims to help perpetuate the memory of the Regiment for all those who had the privilege and pleasure to serve in it. It is also a means of communicating the activities of The Association and The Trust as well as informing visitors of the activities of the 6th Gurkhas, both past and present.

Additional information for Association Members is in the Members Area. Further Battles and more archive photographs will be added over time. Many images on the site have come from Regimental albums and archives, now the property of The Gurkha Museum in Winchester and we are most grateful for their permission to use them. Other images have been willingly provided by individuals, too many to name, but to whom we are equally grateful.

We welcome your feedback and questions via the Contact page. Jai Sixth!

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