Better to Die Than Be a Coward - The Gurkha Justice Campaign

**redden137** · #11 29th Apr 2009, 12:47

Latest Brown loses vote
PM Gordon Brown has suffered a symbolic defeat in the Commons after MPs voted to give all Gurkha soldiers equal right of residence in the UK.
A Liberal Democrat motion - not binding on the Government - was supported by 267 votes to 246, a majority of 21.
The embarrassment for Mr Brown came only hours after he insisted the right of residence should be restricted for Gurkhas who quit the service before 1997.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was joined by Tory leader David Cameron in the lobby, said the vote had been "a victory for fairness and decency in this country" and the Government would now have to change its policy.
http://news.aol.co.uk/brown-loses-co...12325868308806

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #12 29th Apr 2009, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by redden137

Latest Brown loses vote
http://news.aol.co.uk/brown-loses-commons-vote-on-gurkhas/article/2009042912325868308806

Fantastic news

**sjb007** · #13 29th Apr 2009, 16:10

Excellent stuff, shame on the PM

Just hope the government respond positively to this

From the the Gurkha Justice Campaign site:

Quote:

Breaking News

A motion calling for the Government to withdraw the new Gurkha settlement guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas has been passed in the House of Commons by 267 to 246. The motion was proposed by the Liberal Democrats, but supported by MPs from all Parties, and we are grateful to all of them.

Thank you to everyone who has lobbied their MP, signed petitions, joined rallies and sent messages of support for the Gurkhas. Without your support, we would never have got this far.

We are waiting to hear the Government's response to the vote. They must respect the wishes of Parliament to grant citizenship rights to all Gurkhas, and do so quickly.

You can see reaction to today's historic vote at BBC News online.

**philthomas** · #14 30th Apr 2009, 01:13

AND ..... What A Result !!!! ......... now Gordon will have to come up with something much better, after last night's defeat in the House of Commons.

Great News

**cheesepuff** · #15 30th Apr 2009, 09:55

wait, im confused...what exactly is this thread about?

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #16 30th Apr 2009, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheesepuff

wait, im confused...what exactly is this thread about?

Way too many soldiers from the Royal Gurkha Rifles were denied citizenship in the UK.

Even after fighting along side our own men in both world wars, and most conflicts since.

**cheesepuff** · #17 30th Apr 2009, 10:21

oh. well im in the usa. so im not sure i would understand anyway. sounds like they deserve citizinship. but i dont know the story nor do i live in the uk. so i dont think i have a right to say anything in this matter...

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #18 30th Apr 2009, 10:26

Fair enough you wouldn't have known about it. I guess it wouldn't make it to your news.

They're a scary regiment basically, but bloody good. Most feared, bar the SAS. Or so they say, not sure if that's still the case or an old tale now..

**redden137** · #19 6th May 2009, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

Fair enough you wouldn't have known about it. I guess it wouldn't make it to your news.

They're a scary regiment basically, but bloody good. Most feared, bar the SAS. Or so they say, not sure if that's still the case or an old tale now..

latest http://news.aol.co.uk/lumley-in-no-1...62337907839820

Gurkhas are well known throughout the world for their professionalism, dedication, discipline, loyalty, integrity and courage in the face of danger. The majority have served on average 20 years with the British Army, stationed worldwide. They adapt to any culture, environment or society where they are called upon to serve. When the British East India Company tried to expand their trade routes into Nepal and beyond, they encountered the Gurkha’s. They got their name from the Gurkha district of Nepal. These hill men fought the British Army over a number of years, and their respect for each other grew. The British were so impressed by their fighting skills that it was suggested that the Gurkha hill men should be recruited into the Army to form new Battalions made up entirely from their numbers. In March 1816, a treaty was signed signalling a cessation to hostilities. In April of the same year, authorisation to form the first Battalion of Gurkha recruits took place.

The Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for nearly 200 years. During that time, they have fought in every major theatre of war, from the first Afghan war through to Bosnia, the Falklands and more recently Iraq. They have received in all 6,500 decorations for bravery, including 13 Victoria Cross awards. The Gurkha of today retains all the characteristics of his forefathers. He is brave, tough, patient, adaptable, intensely proud and has unswerving loyalty.

Just another thing my dad ( who fought along side them) once said that he was on guard duty one dark nite in an advance camp during ww2 and had a gurkha knike held to his throat as another felt his boots once they felt how his laces had been strung they just disppeared never a sound

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #20 6th May 2009, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by redden137

felt his boots once they felt how his laces had been strung they just disppeared never a sound

Bloody incredible.

It's not the fact that other people wouldn't know they could tell who it was from their laces, it's the fact they actually dare to use that as a method..