Ghurka Rifleman PUN VC. Triumph! (Merged)
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Just bumping this to the top of the list. I'm going to contact the Australian Returned Servicemans League tomorrow and see if I can get a comment and a press release from them. If Sgt. Pun VC can't come to Britain, maybe we can invite him down here.
By the way, I assume we have Hercs going in and out of Afghanistan. How much of a diversion would be needed to pick him up?
By the way, I assume we have Hercs going in and out of Afghanistan. How much of a diversion would be needed to pick him up?
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WO1 (RSM) Pun
To keep this bounced near the top (sticky please moderators), we have been calling Mr Pun a Pte and a Sgt. His correct rank according to the VC site is Warrant Officer First Class.
As a JO I remember trying to snatch 15 minutes sleep each hour in a waterlogged trench shared with three others. We kept rotating our positions under the overhead cover to prevent trench foot as we were immersed below the waist. A Gurkha patrol came in, every bit as soaked as us. I never saw bigger smiles and more enthusiasm for the job from anyone. They lifted my spirits just to know they were on our side. As for their curries.... Wow!
Thinking of some of the antics of my jocks. I never saw a Ghurkha who was not a credit to his unit. For fitness, turn out and elan they were/are the best line infantry. Off duty their young soldiers are more likely to be seen in a suit than scruffs. What excellent future UK citizens, but no. We clearly need more terrorists et al.
As a JO I remember trying to snatch 15 minutes sleep each hour in a waterlogged trench shared with three others. We kept rotating our positions under the overhead cover to prevent trench foot as we were immersed below the waist. A Gurkha patrol came in, every bit as soaked as us. I never saw bigger smiles and more enthusiasm for the job from anyone. They lifted my spirits just to know they were on our side. As for their curries.... Wow!
Thinking of some of the antics of my jocks. I never saw a Ghurkha who was not a credit to his unit. For fitness, turn out and elan they were/are the best line infantry. Off duty their young soldiers are more likely to be seen in a suit than scruffs. What excellent future UK citizens, but no. We clearly need more terrorists et al.
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I cannot believe that this hero has been insulted in this manner!!
Britain called upon these young men and they gave their all and more WITHOUT asking for much if anything at all. This in my eyes should elevate them above any other in the queue for access to citizenship of the UK.
It's a damn disgrace that a country that used to spout its heitage is now trying to ignore it.
Wardie
Britain called upon these young men and they gave their all and more WITHOUT asking for much if anything at all. This in my eyes should elevate them above any other in the queue for access to citizenship of the UK.
It's a damn disgrace that a country that used to spout its heitage is now trying to ignore it.
Wardie
Boiiiiing! More emails, more petitions, more posts, more comments please everyone! Keep this pot boiling.
The Gurkhas were our secret weapon in Borneo. The Brits, Malays and Singaporeans would get varying degrees of Indonesian incursions into their sectors, the Gurkhas wouldn't. We would fly them down for a tour from their Hong Kong depot, returning with those that they were replacing. I remember how outbound they were all smiles and animation, and inbound downcast and quiet. I commented on this to one of their officers, saying that it was obviously a tiring experience for them. "Oh, that's not it", he replied,"those going out are keen to do what they are trained for and like best, those coming back have only depot routine to look forward to!".
We have never been served by more loyal or brave men.
LET HIM IN!
The Gurkhas were our secret weapon in Borneo. The Brits, Malays and Singaporeans would get varying degrees of Indonesian incursions into their sectors, the Gurkhas wouldn't. We would fly them down for a tour from their Hong Kong depot, returning with those that they were replacing. I remember how outbound they were all smiles and animation, and inbound downcast and quiet. I commented on this to one of their officers, saying that it was obviously a tiring experience for them. "Oh, that's not it", he replied,"those going out are keen to do what they are trained for and like best, those coming back have only depot routine to look forward to!".
We have never been served by more loyal or brave men.
LET HIM IN!
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Email sent.
Tul Bahadur Pun VC, I salute you.
Thank you for all you have done, and may this government grovel at your feet after you have been granted access.
Tul Bahadur Pun VC, I salute you.
Thank you for all you have done, and may this government grovel at your feet after you have been granted access.
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I have emailed my MP and signed the petition.
If this does one good thing though it may bring to the public eye the appalling way in which Gurkha's, a strong resourceful brave group of men, are treated as second hand citizens within the British Armed forces. Anyone who has ever served alongside them (they helped train me during my RMAS days and boy do they love to act and do dramatic deaths for you) consider it an honour. If this helps highlight their cause and allows them equal rights within the British Army then it will be a good day.
If this does one good thing though it may bring to the public eye the appalling way in which Gurkha's, a strong resourceful brave group of men, are treated as second hand citizens within the British Armed forces. Anyone who has ever served alongside them (they helped train me during my RMAS days and boy do they love to act and do dramatic deaths for you) consider it an honour. If this helps highlight their cause and allows them equal rights within the British Army then it will be a good day.
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After having just Mr PUN VC's account of what happened that day, I find it o be the most humble account of such a heroic feat.
Not once did he big himself up or try to make himself look good.
A True hero in my eyes
Not once did he big himself up or try to make himself look good.
A True hero in my eyes
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I can only echo the sentiments of all.
I wish I could give him my British passport. I won't be needing it. I'd have died for it, and all it stood for when I was serving. Sadly, it no longer stands for what I got all stirred up about and joined the mob.
Absolutely disgraceful. Whatever pen pushing irreverent turd made this decision needs to walk a few miles in WO1 Pun's boots.
I wish I could give him my British passport. I won't be needing it. I'd have died for it, and all it stood for when I was serving. Sadly, it no longer stands for what I got all stirred up about and joined the mob.
Absolutely disgraceful. Whatever pen pushing irreverent turd made this decision needs to walk a few miles in WO1 Pun's boots.
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Reading this thread has bought tears of shame to my eyes.
It totally beggars belief that some pen pusher in a Ministry somewhere has seen fit to deny this gentleman entry to the UK. I have served with the Gurkhas and, indeed, been treated by a Gurkha medic on one occasion. Great soldiers, proud men and a credit to their Nation.
Letter sent to HM and PM requesting that he:
1. Be allowed entry
2. That he be treated at the taxpayers expense
3. That he receive an official apology for the callous way in which he has been treated.
It totally beggars belief that some pen pusher in a Ministry somewhere has seen fit to deny this gentleman entry to the UK. I have served with the Gurkhas and, indeed, been treated by a Gurkha medic on one occasion. Great soldiers, proud men and a credit to their Nation.
Letter sent to HM and PM requesting that he:
1. Be allowed entry
2. That he be treated at the taxpayers expense
3. That he receive an official apology for the callous way in which he has been treated.
Mr Pun should have automatic right of abode here because he is a VC, and at least as much right of abode here, having served in the Indian Army, as anyone else who thus served. Any ex British Army Gurkhas should have an automatic right of abode here and a full British Army Pension. After the wretch who turned him down is obliged to "reconsider" that decision, the British Government can reconsider our moral obligations to these faithful and courageous servants of the Crown and invite them to come and live with us if they so wish. I for one will be there to greet them when they arrive!
More recollections of Borneo from over forty years ago; a fellow pilot was detached from 48Sqn to the Whirlwinds in Borneo, as ALO. All went well until it came time to insert the Gurkhas into their patrol areas. Pilots complained that their aircraft were clearly overloaded as they were struggling to clear the forest canopy around the landing site. Our man retorted that all the W&B was done as with previous troops at standard operational troop weight. "Well then, go for actual weights", he was told. From somewhere he obtained a "butchers balance" with a hook above and below the dial. He hung the balance on a tree, and then hung an obliging Gurkha by his webbing to the balance. As may be expected the reading was well below standard. He removed the Gurkha and, with some help, replaced him with his equipment and pack. The bough groaned alarmingly, the needle quivering in uncharted areas of the dial! After prolonged negotiations the Gurkhas reluctantly dispensed with the some of the veritable arsenal they were prepared to shoulder for the next two weeks trek!
Let him in!
More recollections of Borneo from over forty years ago; a fellow pilot was detached from 48Sqn to the Whirlwinds in Borneo, as ALO. All went well until it came time to insert the Gurkhas into their patrol areas. Pilots complained that their aircraft were clearly overloaded as they were struggling to clear the forest canopy around the landing site. Our man retorted that all the W&B was done as with previous troops at standard operational troop weight. "Well then, go for actual weights", he was told. From somewhere he obtained a "butchers balance" with a hook above and below the dial. He hung the balance on a tree, and then hung an obliging Gurkha by his webbing to the balance. As may be expected the reading was well below standard. He removed the Gurkha and, with some help, replaced him with his equipment and pack. The bough groaned alarmingly, the needle quivering in uncharted areas of the dial! After prolonged negotiations the Gurkhas reluctantly dispensed with the some of the veritable arsenal they were prepared to shoulder for the next two weeks trek!
Let him in!
Last edited by Chugalug2; 27th May 2007 at 14:27.
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E-Mailed my MP and Lord Bramall. Sadly Whit recess at the moment so not sure when they will pick up the note. Hopefully soon.
Last edited by Hoobie Schnaps; 27th May 2007 at 13:34. Reason: Spelling.
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Agree with all said before. Petition signed, e-mail to MP en-route. If you want to see some depth of feeling have a look on the Army Rumour Network www.arrse.co.uk They are giving it huge support. This whole sorry episode speaks volumes about this shambles of a government. 
M
M
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Just emailed Boris Johnson. As a journalist in his own right (and someone who appears to have a sane view on many of the issues out there) I hope that he will look on this with a positive attitude.
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AaaaaaaaaaaGH!
This is from ARRSE some one found this article from the Sun (yes i know you can't believe everything in the rag but this seems pukka)
Gurkha war hero's agony
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
MUSEUM chiefs have broken a Gurkha war hero’s heart by refusing to let him see his treasured Victoria Cross one final time.
Fearless Lieutenant Tulbahadur Pun, 89, won the nation’s top medal for bravery during World War II.
Aged just 21, he single-handedly stormed two Japanese armed positions with his Bren Gun blazing from his hip after his comrades were wiped out in Burma.
Now the ageing hero — who lives in poverty in Nepal — has begged his old Army regiment’s museum to send him his medal so he can wear it with pride before he dies.
But museum bosses have refused, saying the VC no longer belongs to him.
Tulbahadur — one of only 12 winners of the VC still alive — is too unwell to travel to the UK.
He said he handed over the medal to the Gurkha Museum in Winchester, Hants, for safekeeping in the ’70s on officers’ advice.
He told The Sun: “Until 1995, I used to go to the UK and wear my Victoria Cross. Now I would like to wear it again before I leave the Earth — I can’t understand why they won’t let me.”
The grandfather of 15 is forced to spend all his VC pension on medicines for his heart problems.
London barrister Rebekah Wilson, who is representing him, said: “The medal is something he cherishes. Time is not on his side and I think it would be shameful if he did not get to see his medal again.”
But Gurkha Museum curator Gerald Davies said: “Tulbahadur Pun’s medal has been donated to the museum by his regimental association.
“We have a duty of care to ensure this medal is available to the public to see and it is secure.”
The citation for Tulbahadur’s VC praises his “outstanding courage and superb gallantry” in capturing the Japanese machine-gun posts and killing three enemies.
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
MUSEUM chiefs have broken a Gurkha war hero’s heart by refusing to let him see his treasured Victoria Cross one final time.
Fearless Lieutenant Tulbahadur Pun, 89, won the nation’s top medal for bravery during World War II.
Aged just 21, he single-handedly stormed two Japanese armed positions with his Bren Gun blazing from his hip after his comrades were wiped out in Burma.
Now the ageing hero — who lives in poverty in Nepal — has begged his old Army regiment’s museum to send him his medal so he can wear it with pride before he dies.
But museum bosses have refused, saying the VC no longer belongs to him.
Tulbahadur — one of only 12 winners of the VC still alive — is too unwell to travel to the UK.
He said he handed over the medal to the Gurkha Museum in Winchester, Hants, for safekeeping in the ’70s on officers’ advice.
He told The Sun: “Until 1995, I used to go to the UK and wear my Victoria Cross. Now I would like to wear it again before I leave the Earth — I can’t understand why they won’t let me.”
The grandfather of 15 is forced to spend all his VC pension on medicines for his heart problems.
London barrister Rebekah Wilson, who is representing him, said: “The medal is something he cherishes. Time is not on his side and I think it would be shameful if he did not get to see his medal again.”
But Gurkha Museum curator Gerald Davies said: “Tulbahadur Pun’s medal has been donated to the museum by his regimental association.
“We have a duty of care to ensure this medal is available to the public to see and it is secure.”
The citation for Tulbahadur’s VC praises his “outstanding courage and superb gallantry” in capturing the Japanese machine-gun posts and killing three enemies.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006320627,00.html
IT IS HIS BLOODY VC!! Next people to mail--- The curator of The Gurkha Museum in Winchester.
Someone call me an ambulance please. My blood has turned to gas
Can any of the boys from 22 arrange to return the VC to its rightful owner.? They got our Tiger back from the 'Swift bar' in Aldergrove, and i think the security there was much better than at this museum
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Here, save you the trouble
[email protected]
[email protected]