[Maple 01]

Folks

I'm not one to get annoyed easily, but there is a story that’s come out of lately that's really gripped my s***. I served with the RAF (alongside the USAF for several years) and keep in contact with the military world by browsing the Army Romour Service (ARRSE), a site dedicated predominantly the British army, but they tolerate us RAF types and those nationals of lesser countries , normally lots of banter and Mickey-taking, but it odes have it's serious side.

Now the Army lads at ARRSE have highlighted the disgraceful treatment the British government has handed out to an elderly sick VC winner from Nepal. It seems as far as they are concerned the brave Gurkha has no place in the UK, and certainly doesn’t have enough ties to the country to warrant permission to enter.


http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/index.p...=66783#1298412

I know it's a long thread but if you feel strongly please persevere as the ARRSers have links to contact MPs, HM etc

Tul Bahadur has his own web-sie (thrown together this weekend)

http://www.vchero.co.uk/

While we're on about it if you feel that perhaps the Gurkhas are the kind of new citizens the UK could do with

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/gurkhas-rights/sign


What can be done if you are not a winner in life's lottery and weren’t born a son or daughter of the Empire? (Notice I said Empire, colonials can write to the Queen and the Foreign and Commonwealth office)

Please pass story onto any forum, news service etc that will listen - the more the UK government is embarrassed the better

[sniperUK]

Well put Maple ,I came on to post something similar.Come on guys can you see the US treating a Medal Of Honor holder like this

[Maple 01]

I spy with my little eye, something begining with b...........

[no4mkit]

I read this over on the UK forum - disgusting treatment of a true hero. I hope this travesty is reversed and he recieves the treatment he needs.

The sad truth of it is that this kind of bureaucratic ignorance and incompetence seems to know no bounds or borders. Funny you mention it Sniper, cause just a few years ago there was an incident where WWII MOH winner General Joe Foss was subjected to humiliating treatment by airport security who didn't know what the Medal of Honor he was carrying to a speaking engagement at West Point was and wanted to confiscate it. I'm not sure how an 86 year old with a pacemaker carrying a war medal is a security threat but it didn't stop them making repeated body searches and interrogations. He later likened the incident to bailing out over enemy territory!

[Maple 01]

Seems like the BBC have finally lowered themselves to put the word out. Late, hidden away and begrudgingly but here it is

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6709561.stm

[admin]

It's rather disgusting when something like this happens. Unfotortunately, it happens all to often. I wish that I was eligible to sign the petition. I'm glad you fine fellows took it upon yourselves to post this. I hope you continue doing so on other sites as well.

[jim]

I just caught the end of the news on TV. It seems that thanks to public outcry the idiots in power have backed down and the heroe can stay.

Just for once the press did some good.

[no4mkit]

good news - glad to hear it Jim!

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by jim

I just caught the end of the news on TV. It seems that thanks to public outcry the idiots in power have backed down and the heroe can stay.

Just for once the press did some good.

That is great news....Thanks for the update Jim,
JP

[sniperUK]

This says it all

PRESS STATEMENT BY VICTORIA CROSS HOLDER TUL BAHADUR PUN VC

WHEN I ARRIVE IN THE UK I WILL NOT LEAVE MY GURKHA COMMRADES BEHIND

2 June 2007 Pokhara Nepal

First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the British people for granting me the privilege to come and live amongst them in a country which I have fought for and love. I am overjoyed to learn that I have finally been allowed the right to settle and live in the UK. I could not sleep last night, as I was so happy with the news that Great Britain would be allowing me to come and get the medical treatment which is so lacking for many veteran Gurkhas in Nepal.

I would also like to make it clear that this victory would not have been made possible without the overwhelming and generous support of the Great British Public; my brothers and sisters in arms in the British Armed Forces both past and present; the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation (GAESO); Joanna Lumley; Jay Miller; the British press and media; and my solicitors Howe & Co . I am humbled by the thousands of emails in support of me and the Gurkhas, that continue to flood into the website set up for me: www.vchero.co.uk . I have been moved of the accounts of the very many the telephone calls and letters of support sent by those, who like me, do not have access to computers.

I will never forget the 45,000 Gurkhas killed in battle fighting along side our British friends, nor will I ever forget my British brothers and sisters who have laid-down their lives fighting alongside the Brigade of Gurkhas in numerous theatres of war over the last 200 years. In life it is the greatest honour to be a Gurkha, because it is the greatest honour to serve the British people and our Brigade. When I come to be with the British people, I will do my best to be a credit to Britain and to help the plight of my fellow Victoria Cross winners who live in poverty in Nepal. It is saddening that so many brave men of my Brigade have to rely on charity to get their basic living and health needs.

I do not ask anything of Britain, or its people, save to help me get a little medical care now that I am old. However, I do have one request for your country, a country which I love so much, and that is to ask if your great country can please look at the plight of my veteran Gurkha comrades in arms, and the injustices they continue to face when asking for their rights to come to Britain and the continuing injustice of unequal pensions for those, like me, who have fought for British freedom against the forces of tyranny but happened to have retired from the British Army before 1997.

I never left any of my comrades on the battlefield, British or Gurkha, and I will not abandon my veteran Gurkha comrades now in their hour of need, when I come to live in Great Britain.

From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply touched by the support shown to me by the people of Great Britain, and across the world, and I give you my most solemn thanks.

Sincerely,


Tul Bahadur Pun VC
Pokhara, Nepal