The well equipped Ghurka - what would he be kitted out with?

John Powell can probably answer this one and if he can't he has contacts in the UK who can tell us exactly what the issue is.
 
The Gurkhas were issued pretty much the same kit issued to other common wealth soldiers for the particular theater of operation. The most exceptional piece of equipage apart from their khukuries was their level of experience.

On average the gurkha soldier served for at least 15 years. He was an elite recruit chosen from 100s or thousands of applicants, and his training was longer and harder than the training provided to other common wealth troops. Since the Gurkha units were considered an elite posting he was officered by the creame of the British officer core.

All of these factors combined to form an exceptional success record.

To a young boy in Nepal during the 19th and early 20th centuries, an appointment as a soldier in a Gurkha unit would have been a tremendous accomplishment. They would have been set for life. They probably felt about it somewhat like an american boy today would feel about becoming a jet fighter pilot.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
They probably felt about it somewhat like an american boy today would feel about becoming a jet fighter pilot.
n2s
Click to expand...

Thanks n2s. Nice analogy.
 
I actually agree with N2s. The Gurkhas I know do have camo sheath covers for their kukris,but aside from the obvious differences you will find the Gurkha regiment with all the kit of a normal British unit. Cheers every one! Pipey
 
Does anyone know how the British recognized the khukuri as part of the Gurkha issue?

There must have been a first occasion when (1) a soldier was allowed to wear a khukuri as part of a Gurkha unit, a second period when (2) Gurkha soldiers were routinely wearing their favorite khukuris, and a third period when (3) the British manufactured khukuris for the Gurkha units as part of the standard uniform.

Does anyone know the details of this history?

Also, did soldiers of non-Gurkha units of the British Army have the option of wearing a khukuri in battle or as part of their uniform?
 
Merrill's Marauders wore khukuris and they were good old US GIs -- God bless'em.

John Powell may be able to help us here if he can find the time. He has some things going on in his life which take a lot of his time.
 
Here is a reply to N2S directly from a retired Gurkha officer and historian:
In my time, although the British Officer (BO) rank and promotion structure in Gurkha battalions was such that they always needed to bring in a few extra captains or majors temporarily -- volunteers from British regiments, who would definitely have thought of it as `an interesting posting' for a while -- the great majority were home-grown, coming straight from Sandhurst (or other officer training establishments that existed from time to time) and spending their careers badged in the Regiment.

There were always plenty of candidates for commissions in the Gurkha regiments, I guess because of their reputation for good discipline, loyalty and fighting skills, and probably because they were usually in the Far East, and this meant that regiments could be `picky'. In all, I think the standard of officer WAS higher in Gurkha units, but I would not want to exaggerate it. Above all, one should avoid the word `elite', either for the officers or the men. There is only one truly elite part of the British Army, and that is the SAS; the term is justified here because they can take the best from other units. Regiments which recruit direct from the population cannot really be called elite in my opinion.

"The Gurkhas were issued pretty much the same kit issued to other commonwealth soldiers for the particular theater of operation.

Broadly true. When I joined 10 GR in UK, we had 1944 Pattern webbing, which had been designed for the Far East, but everyone else in UK and Germany had the 1958 Pattern. Units in Hong Kong had older anti-tank platoon weapons (old MOBAT then WOMBAT 120mm recoilless guns in my time, while in Europe the MILAN missile was being issued).

"The most exceptional piece of equipage apart from their khukuries was their level of experience. On average the gurkha soldier served for at least 15 years. He was an elite" that word... but ...
recruit chosen from 100s or thousands of applicants,
this is true, so perhaps `elite' is justified and his training was longer and harder than the training provided to other commonwealth troops."

Only longer because they needed to learn more, including some English (also such basics as how to use a knife and fork, and many other details of
western life)...

"To a young boy in Nepal during the 19th and early 20th centuries, an appointment as a soldier in a Gurkha unit would have been a tremendous accomplishment. They would have been set for life."

Again, broadly true, though this should not be taken as meaning they would ever sit back having got on the bottom rung of the ladder -- all wanted (and still do) to stay as long as possible and be promoted as far as possible. Although at one level Gurkhas are very good at accepting heirarchy, and always respect people older than themselves, paradoxically they are very egalitarian among their peers, and often very resentful when not picked for further promotion.

“They probably felt about it somewhat like an American boy today would feel about becoming a jet
fighter pilot."

Not a bad comparison.

To answer BUOY: There is mention of the 'kookrie' as being an 'official piece of equipment' as early as 1837. They are Gurkhas and they have always carried a khukuri. No time periods are specified.

As to non-Gurkha units I agree with Bill. You take into combat what you need to get the job done. Inspections and parades were probably a different story as to what to carry.
 
Yep, just downright amazing what's out there to be
learned if you can get over thinking you know it all.
 
If it wasn't for my Gurkha and ex-military friends a lot of this would be conjecture.

Someone has to write a book!
 
Good information!

A followup question: has any Ghurka or Ghurkas been seconded to the SAS or SBS?

Thanks,

Harry
 
Harry,
I have asked this very question to some old friends from Hereforshire...but I doubt anyone will even admit to knowing anything about "Special Boat".
 
The Gurkhas and the SAS+SBS worked very closely to quiet communist insurgents on the Malay peninsula during the 1960s. The Gurkhas provide security for the SBS teams, while they in turned ran supplies out to Gurkha units in the field. The SAS and Gurkhas were the only units allowed to conduct cross border operations, with the SAS serving as the intellingence gathering arm, and the Gurkhas working as a strike/ambushing force. Towards the end of the conflict the SAS had trained some Gurkhas to operate along the lines of the SAS (small teams of Gurkhas led by a NCO would go out on six week mission to gather intelligence).

One of the 4-man Gurkha teams achieved a hugh success, when they were able to find traces of recent communist activity (they found a coffee bean - in a jungle???!), which put them on the trail of Sumbi - a high profile communist gorilla and jungle warefare expert. He was captured shortly there after.

n2s

ref. See John Parker's, The Gurkhas (Headline, 1999, ISBN 0-7472-7577-7) Chapter 14.
 
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