Ghurka Rifleman PUN VC. Triumph! (Merged)

[aviate1138]

Chugalug2
I would have thought that Mr Pun VC's replica VC is all the museum needs? A fair swap for what was rightfully his in the first place!
What a way to treat a real hero!
Aviate 1138

[Chugalug2]

What the Gurkha Museum needs to do is the right thing and return Mr Pun's VC to its rightful owner. What it does after that is entirely its own affair. Perhaps it could approach the new owner, if and when Mr Pun were to sell it, with a view to placing it back on display. Or perhaps it might display a stated replica in its place. I cannot see why Mr Pun VC should swap anything, fair or otherwise.

[aviate1138]

Chugalug2 said in part
"I cannot see why Mr Pun VC should swap anything, fair or otherwise."
Aviate1138 thought that the museum gave the replica to Mr Pun VC when it took his
real one. Does the museum treat all Gurkha VC's the same way?

[Tigs2]

Mr PUN VC an update at Rememberance Sunday

I thought that this is a great time to give you all an update on Mr PUN Victoria Cross. Remember him ? the Ghurka you all fought for to bring him back to the UK for medical treatment. When he arrived in July he was a wheelchair bound old man, and i was very concerned for his health. I have been around to see him a few times and he has been around to my place a few times. I can tell you now he eats like a horse, and can down as much meat and veg as any 20 year old soldierI have been around to see the old hero again. He is in excellent health, particularly as he has just had the last operation on his eyes for cataracts yesterday. He was able to see his wife of over 60 yrs through both eyes this morning (sorry sat 10) for the first time in 15 years. He spent 20 mins telling her how beautiful she was and then embarked on loads of banter with everyone. I got a wonderful photo of him holding my three month old daughter, gazing in to her eyes, saying he never thought he would be able to do that in his life again. It brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye i tell you. His morale is through the roof, as you can imagine.
He asked me to post on PPRuNe to tell you (his words). "Without the support of the people on PPRuNe, ARRSE, E-Goat and Ration, he firmly believes he would now be dead and buried in Nepal. He wishes to send his heartfelt thanks at this very important time for all of the British Military, of which he considers himself, as all Ghurkas, a fully fledged member. What you did for him and his wife will never be forgotten by his or his extended family" - translated by his lawer and close friend, Gopal!
Here is a photo of him on Friday night after his final operation, and then two of him at a rememberence service on Saturday morning (hence the sunglasses)
As you can see, he is looking strong and proud, and all you PPRuNer's who took an interest, helped him from the brink of a dire situation.
Looking at him, having just had the Op and then being at a formal engagement the following morning, we are not worthy (well i am not anyway). I guess thats why he got the VC......the right stuff...even when approaching his 90's
Thank you: (from Mr Pun VC)



I will be posting some info shortly for a special meeting involving Mr Pun VC and a thousand Ghurkas in London, should you wish to attend for a beer. I will also post the latest on the fight for the return of his VC.
Tigs

[kokpit]

Thanks for that Tigs.

I was just wondering if Mr Pun VC would be able to participate in any Remembrance Ceremonies this weekend.

I was good to see and hear of the old warrier again, please keep us posted as and when you can.

Cheers,

[MrFlibble]

Thanks for the update Tigs - so good to see Mr Pun VC looking so well!

[Chugalug2]

Thank you for the heads up Tigs. What an inspiration Mr Pun VC is! Now as you say, phase 2, the return of his Victoria Cross. I am amazed that the museum has not taken the initiative and simply done it by now. Well they obviously need encouragement, perhaps a small 'deputation' of Aarsers and PPRuners a la Ashtead? I would be surprised if they can show 'good title', whereas the London Gazette will show Mr Pun's. I hope that good grace will triumph in short order. How fitting that he should be A1 G1 Z1 (well nearly!) in time to honour his fallen comrades today, and how impressive his bearing. No 'fading away' for this old soldier methinks. Keep us posted Tigs and ring the bell if a scramble is called for.

Chugs

[MatSav]

Remembrance Sunday Service

I am pleased to report that Rifleman Pun VC was at the parade and service in Feltham, Middlesex (Near to Heathrow Airport) for the parade this afternoon - together with a large contingent of his countrymen.

Feltham is a little unusual - we have an afternoon parade, because there is no Royal British Legion branch in Feltham, but there are two RBL clubs in neighbouring Hanworth and Bedfont. They have their own parades in the morning.

[MReyn24050]

Words just fail me.

Mr Pun, one of just 10 living VC holders in the UK, was close to tears and forced to leave after being told he also owed thousands of pounds because he had 'misled' the hospital over his immigration status.

The Gurkha, who lives on just £135 a week, was ejected this week on the anniversary of winning his VC in Burma on June 23 1944.

He had attended the Isleworth hospital's cardiology department for an urgent follow-up appointment and has been on lifesaving heart drugs for 10 months.



The VC war hero (at front of picture) was refused heart treatment at West Middlesex University Hospital


But Andy Finlay, its income generation manager, demanded to see Mr Pun's passport and said his visa showed he had indefinite leave to enter Britain, not indefinite leave to remain - meaning he was ineligible for NHS treatment.

He allegedly then threatened Mr Pun, who does not speak English and had a friend acting as interpreter, with a bill for past treatment.

Gurkha, 87, who won the VC returns war medals to Downing Street after being refused free hospital care | Mail Online

[BEagle]

But Andy Finlay, its income generation manager, demanded to see Mr Pun's passport and said his visa showed he had indefinite leave to enter Britain, not indefinite leave to remain - meaning he was ineligible for NHS treatment

What a charming person this functionary of the Blairite Stalinist state appears to be. Here are some comments he made to the BBC:

If he cannot tell the difference between a state sponger and a genuine hero, something must be very wrong.

If the reports are true, then nothing more than a full, frank and personal apology from the hospital and its 'revenue enforcer' would be acceptable. Even if the reports ultimately prove false, the quotes in the BBC article hardly indicate a person with the degree of compassion which should reasonably be expected from anyone having direct contact with hospital patients.

[S'land]

One would suggest that as well as the very public apology by this ar*§hole, his very public dismissal should also happen.

[MReyn24050]

It would appear that the West Middlesex University Hospital has since admitted it 'made a mistake' and promised Mr Pun a fresh appointment. However, the thought of the anxiety that this gallant Gentleman must have gone through makes my blood boil.

[Roger Sofarover]

It seems that the chaps from the Gurkhas should break into WMUH and leave something nasty in Mr Findlay's coffee machine.

[CirrusF]

I'd just like to add my vote too that they deserve totally their just rewards too. Even though they are bloody good at billiards.

[mikip]

Why should the hospital itself have to admit it made a 'mistake' when it was one little jumped up w***er of a jobsworth who probably thinks that footballers are heroes who dropped them in it he should be humiliated in every way possible

[air pig]

Maybe, the odious little creep, Finlay should join young Mr Kemp in the 'Stan on his next trip out with the 'Vikings' or go to Wotton Basset when the next members of HM Forces come home on their final journey. The man needs a reality check and a lesson in humility.

I work for the NHS and he is not alone being a waste of perfectly good blood and organs and an oxygen thief to boot. His like, are the sort of people that make the general population despire of where the NHS will be in a few years time. Too many managers not enough people dealing with patients, sack most of them !!

To Mr Pun, I offer you my sincere apologies on behalf of the staff of the NHS, for a so-called man who is not even fit to tie your shoe laces, let alone be in the same room as you.

[hoofie]

Sick

As a mere civilian who did their own little bit to lobby for Mr Pun, to read about the hospitals treatment of him makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. I thought the battle was won but obviously not.

If I was Mr Findlay I would run in the opposite direction from any short, well-dressed and swarthy men for a while.

Now I know why I left the UK.

[Roger Sofarover]

Mikip is correct when he says it should not be the hospital apologising, but this idiot Finlay

The WMUH were actually responsible for saving Mr Puns life last year, and have been a major factor in the vast improvement in the quality of his life. This is one of the main reasons he was so upset by this episode. He spent a considerable amount of time in there last year and built up an excellent relationship with both the nursing staff and the surgeons. Then along comes Finlay.

I have spoken to someone taking care of this situation on Mr Puns behalf who said that when he pointed out to Mr Finlay just who Mr Pun was and that he was one of only Ten living Victoria Cross holders he replied "Oh is that what the VC means in his passport"

By the way Mr Finlay the 'income generator' is from Liverpool

[FMM910]

Address removed

Let's not get rude - polite but firm is the way

You are right BEagle. Just woke up and felt so angry and as I know this Finlay bloke - not as a friend I might add - I published it. Naughty me. As they say, always take stock first! Perhaps that's what Finlay should have done!

[BEagle]

Whilst it is undeniable that Finlay needs to make a full and frank apology, it is unacceptable to publish a private addresss in such a way.

Thank you for having removed it - but please convey my outrage to that Finlay person and let him know that he must make a full, frank and personal apology to Ghurka Pun VC.

If he refuses, he should be fired without hesitation.