6th Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association

Commemoration of the Battle of Medicina 16th April 1945

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This year marked the 78th anniversary of the Liberation of the city of Medicina, important battle of the Second World War in Northern Italy. Not only remembered for it being one of the last battles against the Germans in Italy, but also for the unusual situation where 2/6GR were operating as “Armoured Infantry” supported by our partner armoured regiment the 14/20th Kings Hussars. This partnership has developed into a long standing relationship which is sustained to this day through successor regiments; The Royal Gurkha Rifles and the Kings Royal Hussars.

This year Support (Medicina) Company of the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) celebrated the Liberation of Medicina on 16 April. It is from this Company that the young soldiers who joined the Association’s visit to Medicina in April 2022 serve and are now stationed in Brunei. After the visit in 2022, Anthony Vosper commissioned the flag with Flagmakers and then subsequently presented it to the Chief of Staff at RHQ in Camberley for onward carriage to SP(Medicina) Coy, 1RGR in Brunei where it now flys outside the office of Support (Medicina) Company 1 RGR where ever they might be.”

Major ADO Bredin (Retd)

DEDICATION OF 6GR MEMORIAL IN POKHARA

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On 18th March 2023, 4 years after its inception the 6GR Memorial was formally dedicated in Pokhara. A very special and historic event.

The concept for the Memorial, initiated by John Mackinlay was for a memorial that allowed our Veterans in Nepal and UK to revere their war dead, but also to remember the 6th Gurkhas as a Family – the soldiers who died in war as well as those who had fought bravely beside them and survived, the wives and the children who were left at home, the attached servicemen and women who supported us in peace and war and the family welfare staff. In this way the memorial would serve both as a regimental cenotaph for formal occasions and as a place for an individual to cherish a private memory.

The simple design of the memorial reflects this intent. On the vertical face of white granite stone the Devanagari inscription reads:

TO THE MEN OF ALL RANKS OF THE 6th GURKHA RIFLES AND THEIR FAMILIES
WE SHALL NOT FORGET YOUR BRAVERY, COURAGE AND SACRIFICE

Below is a flat altar stone on which to put wreaths and the flowers and keepsakes of individuals who come to remember their friends and family. Across the face of the altar stone are the words:

LET THEIR DEEDS NOT BE FORGOTTEN

Our President, Big John Anderson OBE welcomed all those assembled as part of the ‘6th Gurkhas Family’. Veterans and their families came from all over Nepal, UK, India and many other parts of the world; in total numbering over 400. Tribute was paid to all those involved in the construction of the Memorial: John Mackinlay who conceived, promoted and designed it, Mike Channing and his committee who raised the funds and supervised the whole project, Gopalbahadur Gurung who led the Nepal team, Purnabahadur Gurung the Project Manager in Nepal, Dharma Raj who sculpted it, Mike Adler who managed and kept track of the money and to Yambahadur Gurung who facilitated the positioning of the memorial in the most perfect setting in front of the Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara. He went on the thank all those who so generously donated funds to make this dream come true.

After the unveiling by the President, the Memorial was blessed by a Pandit, Lama, Bon and a Priest. Wreaths were then laid by: the eldest ex 6GR Other Rank, the eldest ex 6GR Gurkha Officer and the eldest British Officer. Everyone was then encouraged to pay their own respects and lay flowers and tributes.

Following the Dedication Ceremony, the gathering retired to the British Gurkhas Camp, Pokhara for where there were drinks and Tipantapan while listening to speeches by key persons of the regiment. After the speeches there was a Curry Lunch for all and continued opportunity to meet and talk with old friends. The event concluded at 4pm when buses were organised to take people home.

Major ADO Bredin (Retd)

6GRRA ANNUAL REUNION 2022

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On Saturday 19th November old friends gathered in Winchester for our Annual Reunion. The day started with our traditional memorial service in the Cathedral centred around the Welsh slate plinth for the Book of Remembrance which had been moved to a much more convenient location in the north aisle.

The short service was led again by Canon Brian Rees who included the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as he remembered those who have died in the past year. The lesson was read by Richard Morris and the Book of Remembrance page was turned and names read out by Tony Groves. After we stood for a minute’s silence in remembrance Nirmal Thapa, late Pipe Major 1 RGR now retired, played a lament from the gallery above the north door. Gary Ghale then laid the wreath at the Book of Remembrance. Then outside into the almost sunshine we posed for a group photograph.

Back up to the Gurkha Museum, with much to discuss and report on this year the AGM started slightly early. At its successful conclusion a vote of thanks was proposed by our President Brigadier John Anderson to our Chairman Duncan Briggs and his team for their hard work to produce an important update to the Association’s Rules which was accepted virtually unanimously. The bar beckoned and we joined the ladies and guests in the McDonald Gallery.

The guests included Canon Brian Rees and his wife Susan, Major Tim Cummings OC (Gallipoli) B Company 2 RGR and his wife Claire, Chris Clarke late 2GR who has done a sterling job as current co-ordinator of The Cuttack Lunch Club and, with her husband Julian, Nicky Prentis who for many years has provided the technical support to our Association website. All were warmly welcomed in the Chairman’s after lunch speech.

No sooner had we finished a delicious curry prepared and served by Bhindya’s team and toasted His Majesty The King (this still takes getting used to after toasting the Queen for as long as anyone can remember!), the People of Nepal and the Regiment when Piper Nirmal played around the tables, including the ever popular ‘Black Bear’ accompanied by plenty of table thumping. Brigadier Christopher Bullock was invited to offer the quaich to Nirmal.

Old friends re-met, new friends made and those no longer with us remembered, it was a most enjoyable and successful day. 

Brian O’Bree

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

6GR well-represented at Gurkha Brigade Association Dinner

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Issued 14 November 2019

At my last attendance of the annual GBA Dinner, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, Sir John Chapple had just taken over as Chief of the General Staff, John Anderson was Commanding Officer and I was a subaltern based at Church Crookham. That was 31 years ago.

My abiding memory of that event was that the antecedent regiments, from the pre-partition Brigade, were there in force. Most could still muster a table of ten and I believe that the 5th Gurkhas had two tables that year. It is with great sadness, with the benefit of hindsight, that we didn’t get to spend more time conversing with them that evening as their associations would shortly come to a natural end.

This time on 7 November 2019 it was clear that we were now also representing a bygone era as those who had served in one of the Gurkha regiments before their amalgamation into the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

We only amassed one table of those who had served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles, but we typically punched above our weight in the jovial banter stakes (and waistlines had clearly increased over the years too) and Jeremy Brade had us laying wagers on the length of the after dinner speeches. We did lose the facial hair award to 7GR who resembled a collection of ageing hipsters from Shoreditch but maybe not that smart! John Anderson won the prize for the most sequential GBA dinners attended – over to twenty and counting.

6GRRA GBA Dinner 2019

Not only had I been looking forward to catching up with Brigade friends, I was also extremely interested to attend the pre-dinner briefings from the new Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Jody Davies, and from Al Howard and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Both proved fascinating. What was pleasing to see was that recruitment into the Brigade will increase in 2020 to a level not seen since 1988. The future is undoubtedly brighter than it has been for many years.

After dinner we adjourned to bars various to continue with the reminiscing and to meet some of the serving ‘youngsters’. I found it amusing when chatting with the Gurkha Major of 1RGR to find out that he had enlisted the year before I retired. How time marches on.

 

Last time the ‘sano sahebs’ moved on to Chelsea in search of the bright lights. Jeremy even found a wife that very evening. This time we drifted across St James’s Square to the In and Out to gate crash the Fleet Air Arm’s Taranto guest night. Needless to say, the Generals led the way. A big thank you to Mani Rai and Niall MacNaughton for all they did on the organisational front; it was an exceptionally good evening. Hopefully it won’t take three decades to make it to the next one.

James Cheshire

THE 2019 REMEMBRANCE PARADE

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Issued 10 November 2019

Well; we were really lucky with the weather, Sunday November 10 dawned fine and even sunny. The walk down to Horse Guards through Green Park was lovely and then onto the parade square to try to find the Gurkha Brigade group. I found the BGWS group led by Major Tikendra and stopped for a chat before locating the Hats Felt Gurkhas across the square.

6GRRA Group Remembrance Pde Nov 19

It was a great turnout from the Brigade and from 6GR. Sadly, we were without stalwarts such as Jon Titley, John Conlin and Julian White, but with a turnout of 12 the rest of us more than made up for it. Interestingly we had two ladies in the GBA group, Maxine Cook, wife of Nick Cook and Caroline Newton Dunn, widow of Charlie Newton Dunn; it was lovely to see them both.

The usual long wait finally saw us through the arch and onto Whitehall and still in the sun. Thankfully, this year we were close to a large screen so we could see the ceremony at the Cenotaph itself. We found ourselves waiting next to a Dutch contingent and a few words in Dutch quickly broke the ice. What an interesting group they were. There was a gentleman in a wheel chair who had fought in Indonesia during WWII and had been attending our Remembrance Parade for 35 years; plus many others with interesting stories.

We applauded the other groups as they went past, including our Gambahadur doing a great job at the head of the BLESMA contingent. Finally we were off. The march went well, if confusing at a slow pace and even slower tunes from the bands. Photographs done back on Horse Guards, we made our way to a church hall close by where GBA had laid on bhat and beer. It was really well organised; went really well and was much enjoyed by everyone. A big shyabash to GBA for the organisation and to those from 6GRRA who turned up.

Duncan Briggs

 

60th ANNIVERSARY OF GRANTING OF THE ROYAL TITLE

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Issued 10 June 2019

In 1959, the 6th Gurkha Rifles was granted the title ‘Queen Elizabeth’s Own’. At the same time, 7th Gurkha Rifles were granted the title ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Own’. On 10th June 1959, a party of officers, serving and retired, and men from both regiments had the honour of being received in Audience by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace to mark the granting of their Royal Titles.

A photograph of those attending this audience was taken at Buckingham Palace and a short article about the occasion was published in the 1960 Brigade Kukri magazine. The article was written by Captain Antony Wakeham of our 1st Battalion, at the time ADC to Major General the Brigade of Gurkhas, Major General Jim Robertson, late 6 GR. In 1962, General Jim succeeded Field Marshal the Lord Harding as Colonel of the Regiment.

This year we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the granting of the Royal Title at our annual Reunion at the Gurkha Museum, Winchester on Saturday 16 November. Anthony Wakeham, the only surviving 6th Gurkha present at the 1959 Royal Audience, all being well, has agreed to join us at the Reunion.

Gallipoli hero’s medals and papers acquired by the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association for The Gurkha Museum

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Issued 20 March 2019

The Gurkha Museum is delighted to announce that it has been gifted the medals and some personal papers of Colonel Cecil John Lyons Allanson CMG CIE DSO, late of the 6th Gurkha Rifles, thanks to the generosity the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association and Trust. This follows on from their assistance in the purchase of the medals of Major General ‘Punch’ Cowan CB CBE DSO* MC, Commander of 17 Gurkha Division during the Burma Campaign.

Colonel Cecil John Lyons Allanson CMG CIE DSO

Colonel Cecil John Lyons Allanson CMG CIE DSO medals

Major Allanson commanded 1/6 Gurkha Rifles at Gallipoli in 1915 where they gained immortal fame for the action at Sari Bair: they were the only troops in the whole campaign to reach and hold the crest line and look down on the Straits which was the ultimate objective.

Allanson himself was severely wounded, as was every British officer in the 1/6 GR who had not been killed, except for the Medical Officer, Capt Phipson. Having captured the crest line the Battalion came under heavy fire, sadly from Allied artillery, and were forced to withdraw under command of Subedar-Major Gambirsing Pun, who spoke no English and relied on Capt Phipson to interpret for him.

The Battalion withdrew in good order and Gambirsing was awarded the MC for his leadership and gallantry. Total casualties amounted to 204 all ranks in three days fighting, of whom 45 were killed, three of them British officers. Allanson and Phipson were awarded the DSO.

From August the 28th to September 10th 1/6 GR were engaged in the usual routine of trench warfare but, after a spell of 34 days fighting, were relieved by the 19th Australian Infantry Battalion and sent into reserve.

On 12 December Battalion commanders were told in great secrecy that it was intended to evacuate the Anzac and Suvla areas of the Peninsula. At 4pm on the 21st the 1/6 GR left Murdos on S.S. Knight Templar and arrived in Alexandria on Christmas Eve.

The 6GR were subsequently awarded the Battle Honours “Helles”, “Suvla”, “Krithia”, “Gallipoli 1915”, and “Sari Bair”.   This latter award appears in a place of honour at the top of the cipher of the Regiment’s cross-belt plate as well as on the drums of the Pipe-band.

President of the 6GR Association, Brigadier J.A. Anderson OBE, noted that: “It is vital that the history of all our Regiments is preserved for posterity, and it is the very least we can do to honour all those who made so many sacrifices for this country.   The Gurkha Museum, as the repository for our legacy, is the right place for this and merits the support of all.”

Martin Brooks, Chairman of The Gurkha Museum commented: “We are extremely grateful to the 6th Gurkha Regimental Association for securing these fine medals for us all to share them with the public as part of the wider collection of the Brigade of Gurkhas held at the Gurkha Museum.”

200th Anniversary Celebrations

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A number of events took place in 2017 to celebrate 200 years since the raising of the Regiment. The four articles which follow are taken from the 2018 Journal and describe the main events:

  • The 200th Anniversary Nepal Durbar
  • The Retrofitting of Area Welfare Centres at Lamjung and Gorkha, Nepal (with a major contribution by 6 GR’s Regimental Trust as our 200th Anniversary ‘Gift to Nepal’)
  • The Gurkha Everest Expedition and 6 GR’s flag on the summit of Everest
  • The 200th Anniversary UK Durbar

Below both Durbar articles, a gallery of extra photographs of the event have been included.

A fifth article shows the Regiment’s bicentenary birthday cake at tea after our AGM in June 2017.

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