Gurkha tribute in Yarmouth

Kyt · May 12, 2009

http://www.advertiser24.co.uk/conte...gory=news&itemid=NOED11 May 2009 09:40:54:303

A RESTORED plaque paying tribute to Gurkha soldiers has been unveiled in Great Yarmouth.

The bronze plaque in front of the War Memorial in St George's Park was covered by the Union Jack for the launch on April 26, just days after the government's controversial decision to limit the number of Gurkha veterans allowed to settle in the UK.

During the service, deputy mayor Paul Garrod and Rector Canon Michael Woods spoke of how the Nepalese regiment had fought for British interests for nearly 200 years.

Mr Garrod told the assembly: “They deserve the chance to settle here. They have done a lot for this country. I think it is absolutely disgusting the way that the Gurkhas are being treated.

“The citizens of the borough of Great Yarmouth salute the service of courage and loyalty given by the members of the Brigade of Gurkhas, in the past and in the present, in the service of the British Crown.”

The original plaque was laid in the grounds of St George's Theatre by former soldier and Yarmouth man Eric Williams, who had served alongside the Gurkhas.

It had become almost forgotten and was in a poor state when members of the newly-formed ex-servicemen's organisation, the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) discovered it. Local stonemason Colin Smith took up the challenge of creating a new plaque.

Canon Woods, the retiring Rector of St Nicholas' Church in Yarmouth, revealed the late Mr Williams trained as a signaller in north Wales before being sent to Burma during the second world war to fight the Japanese.

He added: “He always spoke highly of the Gurkhas with whom he served in that far flung theatre of war. They in turn protected him in the dangerous job of artillery spotter where he was among the frontline soldiers.”

Mr Williams' widow Vera attended the ceremony along with son David, 45, who praised the work done on the plaque.

He said: “Colin has done an excellent job and I would like to thank him for his work in relocating the memorial and tidying everything up.

“It is now where it should have been in the first place. The Gurkhas are a very brave, heroic people and they are not often thought of in the same way as other people in society. They don't get credit enough for what they do.”

Three Gurkhas also attended the event - Capt Yam Bahadur Rana, Capt Prem Bahadur and Sapper Deepak Rai.

Capt Rana said: “It has been a fantastic parade today. We did not know much about Norfolk or today's parade until we arrived but we appreciate the respect shown to us by the people of Yarmouth.

“We thank the organisers for putting on this special event.”

Up to 100 people attended the special ceremony in bright, warm sunshine including the Royal British Legion, 901 Winterton Marine Cadets and Yarmouth Sea Cadets.

Twenty Sea Cadets and six staff attended and laid two bouquets. The unit's new officer in charge, Petty Officer Graeme Richardson, said: “Taking part in these parades is an important part of being a Sea Cadet, and remembering those who have given their lives and are prepared to do so for our country is the least we can do.”
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Gurkha tribute in Yarmouth

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Gurkha tribute in Yarmouth

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Useful Searches