Hello,
I wanted to let you folks know about this great video-tape I picked recently titled, The Gurkha Story. It is a recent production (1998) and focuses on the selection and recruitment of the British Gurkhas. You see the entire process the galla-wallahs selecting the initial candidates in the villages; further selections in the recruitment center in Pokhara, including the infamous doko-race; the jubilation of those finally selected; their entry into a military life; initial training in Nepal; the trip to England and their further training from marksmanship to swimming, to how to cross roads and use an ATM machine!
Interspersed throughout is a history of the Gurkha Rifles, a look at two WWII VC holders today the active and involved life of Tul Bahadur Pun (6GR) and the bittersweet life of Lachhiman Gurung (8GR), as well as former Gorkhas and Gorkha widows. Also shown are the final parades of the 7th and the 2nd Gurkha Rifles before the disbandment of these regiments touching scenes. Prince Charles, Colonel of the current Royal Gurkha Rifles talks about the Gurkha Rifles and praises them. Author Charles MacDonald Fraser also talks about his experiences fighting alongside Gorkhas in WWII Burma (havent yet read his Flashman series, but his autobio of his war experience, Quartered Safe Out Here is a great read highly recommended!) A couple of the potential candidates are also interviewed and they talk about their desire to enlist, their hopes, expectations and apprehensions. There is also a demonstration of how a musket is fired - forget the name, but this is the one whose introduction in 1857 led to the Indian Mutiny and subsequent fame of the Gorkhas. There is a glimpse of the old fort at Gorkha village from where the Gorkhas began their expansion in the 18th century. Also shown is the infamous bridge near Pokhara where numerous unsuccessful British Gurkha candidates have ended their lives there is now a netting under the bridge to prevent such suicides! There isnt much about khukuris, only brief mentions and glimpses, but still, a must-have for military and history buffs, as well as anybody remotely interested in the Gorkhas. Only wish the tape was longer ...
I spoke with the gentleman from whom I picked up the tape. He had it on ebay but says for folks in the forum hes willing to sell the tapes for $21.99, plus $3.00 for shipping - I guess itll be more for non-US orders, check with him. Heres his details, and just tell him that Sonam sent you:
Ralph Chatham
Bit O Britain (British, Irish and Commonwealth Imports)
4346 243rd Avenue, S.E.
Issaquah, WA 98029-6589
Phone: 425-391-1844
Fax: 425-391-2952
Email: rrchatham@att.net
He also has another Gurkha tape "The 175th Anniversary of the 6th Gurkha Rifles" on ebay, again for the same above price for folks letting him know you heard about it here. I guess Ill pick that one up too
- Sonam
[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 03-09-2001).]
I wanted to let you folks know about this great video-tape I picked recently titled, The Gurkha Story. It is a recent production (1998) and focuses on the selection and recruitment of the British Gurkhas. You see the entire process the galla-wallahs selecting the initial candidates in the villages; further selections in the recruitment center in Pokhara, including the infamous doko-race; the jubilation of those finally selected; their entry into a military life; initial training in Nepal; the trip to England and their further training from marksmanship to swimming, to how to cross roads and use an ATM machine!
Interspersed throughout is a history of the Gurkha Rifles, a look at two WWII VC holders today the active and involved life of Tul Bahadur Pun (6GR) and the bittersweet life of Lachhiman Gurung (8GR), as well as former Gorkhas and Gorkha widows. Also shown are the final parades of the 7th and the 2nd Gurkha Rifles before the disbandment of these regiments touching scenes. Prince Charles, Colonel of the current Royal Gurkha Rifles talks about the Gurkha Rifles and praises them. Author Charles MacDonald Fraser also talks about his experiences fighting alongside Gorkhas in WWII Burma (havent yet read his Flashman series, but his autobio of his war experience, Quartered Safe Out Here is a great read highly recommended!) A couple of the potential candidates are also interviewed and they talk about their desire to enlist, their hopes, expectations and apprehensions. There is also a demonstration of how a musket is fired - forget the name, but this is the one whose introduction in 1857 led to the Indian Mutiny and subsequent fame of the Gorkhas. There is a glimpse of the old fort at Gorkha village from where the Gorkhas began their expansion in the 18th century. Also shown is the infamous bridge near Pokhara where numerous unsuccessful British Gurkha candidates have ended their lives there is now a netting under the bridge to prevent such suicides! There isnt much about khukuris, only brief mentions and glimpses, but still, a must-have for military and history buffs, as well as anybody remotely interested in the Gorkhas. Only wish the tape was longer ...
I spoke with the gentleman from whom I picked up the tape. He had it on ebay but says for folks in the forum hes willing to sell the tapes for $21.99, plus $3.00 for shipping - I guess itll be more for non-US orders, check with him. Heres his details, and just tell him that Sonam sent you:
Ralph Chatham
Bit O Britain (British, Irish and Commonwealth Imports)
4346 243rd Avenue, S.E.
Issaquah, WA 98029-6589
Phone: 425-391-1844
Fax: 425-391-2952
Email: rrchatham@att.net
He also has another Gurkha tape "The 175th Anniversary of the 6th Gurkha Rifles" on ebay, again for the same above price for folks letting him know you heard about it here. I guess Ill pick that one up too
- Sonam
[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 03-09-2001).]