6th Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association

AGM, Service and Reunion – 16 Nov 24

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The last AGM of the Association in its current form took place at the Gurkha Museum on 16th November 2024. The two Resolutions recommending the ‘way ahead’ were passed allowing for the reorganisation of the Association to go ahead. Full details have been forwarded to members. Following this, our Annual Remembrance Service in Winchester Cathedral took place, during which a page of our “Roll Honour” book was turned. A good turnout of members returned to the Gurkha Museum for our Reunion Lunch at which the President of GBA, Col BG and OC “Gallipoli” Company 2 RGR attended as guests. Full details of each of these important events will be contained in the next Journal.

Association Members attended the AGM at the Gurkha Museum – 16 Nov 24

Representation at the GBA Remembrance events – 10 Nov 24

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Early November provides for a hectic, thoughtful, but enjoy period of remembrance. On 7 November wreaths were laid at both the “Slim” and “Gurkha” statues in London.

Association members at the Gurkha Statue in Whitehall – 7 Nov 24

This was followed on 9 November by the commemoration at the “Chautara” within the National Arboretum and on 10 November, members represented the Association in the GBA column at the Service of Remembrance and march-past at the Cenotaph in London.

Anne Griffith lays a wreath at the “Chautara” in the National Memorial Arboretum – 9 Nov 24

GBA Dinner and Briefing 6 November 2024

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The GBA briefing took place at the Army and Navy Club in London where the assembled members of the Brigade, both retired and serving were briefed on the current situation of the “Four Pillars”. This was preceded by the GBA AGM and followed by the GBA Dinner at which there was a good turnout by members of the Association.


6 GRRA Group a the GBA Dinner – 6 Nov 24

Further details will be contained in the next Journal.

TALK AT THE GALLIPOLI DARDANELLES INTERNATIONAL – 7 OCT 24

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The Regimental Secretary gave a talk about the Gurkhas and Nepal to the “Gallipoli Dardanelles International” at their annual Lunch in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Among those present was the grandson of the Company Commander of E (Sandringham) Company of the 5th Norfolk Regiment (TF) at the time of Gallipoli. The 5th Norfolks became know as the “Vanished Battalion” due the losses they sustained.”

TALK AT THE GALLIPOLI DARDANELLES INTERNATIONAL

6 GR Get-together – 14 Sep 24

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The Annual 6 GR ‘All Ranks’ Bhela took place in Farnborough on Sat 14 Sep 24 organised by Maj Khusiman Gurung and his team. Over 400 veterans and families attended to meet old friends and listen to speeches and songs including the indomitable Capt Biru performing in his customary way. “Company” photos were taken and the assembled throng were treated to a delicious Tip-Tupan as well as a full Bhat.

Disappointingly only a handful of British officers managed to attend – there was a clash with Capt Anne Griffith’s daughter, Hattie’s wedding!

A thoroughly enjoyable event and wonderfully organised.

Be on the watch-out for next year’s ‘Get-together” planned for the 2nd Saturday in September 2025.

Annual Gallipoli Dardanelles International Memorial Service – King’s Lynn 3 Aug 24

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The Annual Service of ‘Gallipoli Dardanelles International’ took place at All Saints Church King’s Lynn on Saturday 3rd August 2024. There was a good turnout of local people as well as members of the Charity.  There were representatives from Australia, New Zealand, France, Turkey and RAF Marham. A number of Royal British Legion Standards were on parade which were then laid on the Altar during the Service.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn, Councillor Paul Bland read the first lesson and the second by Graham Beck, great nephew of the OC of the “Sandringham” Company of 4th Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment, Captain Graham Beck in 1915.
Towards the end of the Service wreaths were laid, led by the Mayor and the Army Attaché at the Turkish Embassy, Lt Col Ferit Can, at the Memorial Window in the Church.  A 6th Gurkha wreath was laid by your Regtl Sec who also gave the ‘Exhortation’ and a bugler played the last post and reveille.
The Service concluded with the congregation joining the various representatives for tea and New Zealand Biscuits.
Note:
Gallipoli & Dardanelles International is a Charity committed to remembrance, international friendship and education. A major part of our work is to present the events and lessons of the Gallipoli Campaign to the present and future generations. We pursue this through youth exchanges, school links and other international programmes that promote study, understanding and friendship. To learn more about this Charity visit: https://gdinternational.org.uk/

Gallipoli Commemoration

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In 1994 the Royal Gurkha Rifles was formed from the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th Gurkha Rifles, with the new regiment absorbing the battle honours and traditions of its forebearers. Each company of the Royal Gurkha Rifles is the custodian of one of these battle honours, and the Gallipoli campaign is the responsibility of B Company of the 2nd Battalion. This year the commemoration was held in Sir John Moore Lines, Shorncliffe on 11 July. At 0900 B Company fell in opposite the guardroom and a brief description of the campaign was read out. This was followed by wreath laying by the Company Commander, the Gurkha Major and the Company Second in Command, and by Major Gordon Corrigan on behalf of the 6th Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association. After a prayer by the battalion’s Pandit and Lama the sounding of the last post indicated the start of a two minutes silence, followed by reveille. All then moved to the company lines where tipan tapan was served and a comprehensive brief on the campaign delivered to the assembled soldiers and wives.

6th Gurkhas Gallipoli Commeration 2024

The Gurkha Brigade Bhela

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The Gurkha Brigade “Bhela” took place on 6th July in Aldershot on the playing fields of Queen’s Avenue, amid gale force winds and driving rain, but with one or two bright intervals. 2 GRRA and ourselves were the only antecedent Regimental Associations to have a presence and despite the poor weather there was a good attendance and many came to the 6 GR ‘tent’ to get a welcome beer !

Following the Ladies Basketball and the Khatmandu cup, QGSigs beat 1 RGR in the final of the Nepal Cup by 3 goals to 1 after extra time.

6 GRRA Nepal Branch AGM/Reunion – 16 Mar 24

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he Nepal Branch AGM/Reunion took place in Kathmandu on Sat 16 Mar where over 66 members were present who enjoyed the whole day event.

The meeting paid tribute to the late Lt Col Mackinlay Saheb as well as the sixty-four 6 GR members who had passed away in 2023.

There were three guests: Lt Col Rajeshkumar Gurung (Dep Comd BGN), Maj Bhimbahadur Gurung (Chairman RAN) and Maj Balkrishna Rana (Gen Sec RAN). Sadly Lt Col Gopalbahadur Gurung and Maj Chandrabahadur Gurung were unable to attend. The Vice Chair, Lt Purnabhadur Gurung presided.

A Service in memory of those of the Gurkha Regiments who fell at Gallipoli in 1915 – 24 Feb 24

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On Sat 24 Feb a Service in memory of the Officers and Men of the Gurkha Regiments who fell in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 took place in Kensington. This commemorative service was the ‘brainchild’ of Robert Llewellyn-Smith, one of our Association Members whose two brother forbears served and died at Gallipoli – one who briefly commanded 1/6th GR after the battle for Sari Bair.

The Service on Sat 24 Feb 2024 took place almost to the day, 108 years ago that the original Service organised by Lady Bruce at St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington took place.

Representatives from all the antecedent Gurkha Regiments attended together with the Lady Mayoress of Kensington and a contingent from 2 RGR as well as a Piper provided by QOGLR.

A full article with photos will appear in the next Journal.

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