PAST EVENTS

"Without doubt, with the exception of the French Foreign Legion and the S.A.S. Regiment, the Gurkhas have become the subject of more legend than most other military bodies in the world." With these words Major Dennis Sheil-Small, M.C., opened his talk on "The History of the Gurkha Brigade" at the March meeting of this branch.

Covering a period of some 170 years our speaker could obviously not spend much time on detail and could only touch lightly on many campaigns which inevitably were those also of the British army. By way of' an introduction Major Sheil-Small pointed out that there was no country called "Gurkha", but that the soldiers of that name were citizens of Nepal, a tiny land-locked independent kingdom nestling at the foot of the Himalayas. The anglicized word "Gurkha" comes from a tiny village named Gorkha,some 50 miles west of Kathmandu in central Nepal.

The early history of Nepal is lost in myth, but its known history has shown a tapestry of warring tribes. Not only did they fight amongst themselves but they also raided down into India until Lord Moira, the British Governor-General at Calcutta declared war on Nepal in 1814. There followed a bloody and prolonged campaign lasting until 1816. 30 000 British soldiers had to be reinforced by another 20 000 in view of the astonishing resistance by 12 000 Gurkhas. At Kalumga Fort, for instance, 600 Gurkhas kept off 4 000 British and Native troops for 33 days. Gurkha losses were over 500 and the British lost 750 killed and wounded.

One wounded Gurkha came into the British lines during the fighting seeking medical aid for a jaw shattered by a round shot. It was freely given and he did recover. On recovery he cheerfully indicated that he would now like to return to his own lines to continue the fight!

In 1816 the Treaty of Segauli was signed. This led in due course to the forming of the Gurkha Brigade, as it was later known. Today it is the Brigade of Gurkhas. There were 10 Regiments, officered only by British Officers.

During the Indian Mutiny the Gurkhas showed their loyalty. There were many stories of bravery. Throughout the 1800's the Gurkha reptutation steadily grew from battles on the North-West Frontier of India and the Afghan Wars until in 1914 they were able to prove their mettle even in the mud of Flanders, as also slightly nearer home in Mesopotamia and at Gallipoli. There were many humorous incidents, more tales of bravery and an appalling record of heavy losses which the Gurkhas bore stoically and heroically.

Then came World War II in which the Gurkhas enhanced their reputation further. In the two world wars they suffered 40 000 casualties and won 13 VCs.

Major Sheil-Small is not only a co-author on a book of the Gurkhas' history, but has recently published a book on his personal experiences as an officer in this famous Brigade of Gurkhas. Fellow-member Major Alec Machin moved a well deserved vote of thanks for a most interesting talk.

FUTURE EVENTS

Monthly get-togethers

APRIL 14TH Our Chairman, Cmdt. "SB" Bourquin will give a talk on Colonel A.W. Durnford. (Langalibalele Rebellion and Anglo/Zulu War)

May 19th Fellow-member Mr B. Cooke (formerly of the Cape Town branch) will give a slide talk on "Some aspects of the German South West African Campaign 1914 - 1916". (N.B. Please note that as the second Thursday in May is a public holiday this meeting will take place on the third Thursday in May).

The venue for meetings will be the Lecture Room, 'SB' Bourquin Building, the Port Natal Administration Foard's head office, on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, commencing at 8 p.m. Glasses and ice will be supplied so please bring your own canned or bottled refreshmens. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.

FIELD TRIP: COLENSO - PIETERS - LADYSMITH

It is the intention to visit the above area over the weekend 4th and 5th June 1983. In due course a detailed itinerary will be available, on request. Participating members should make their own accommodation bookings in good time. The following accommodation is available:
The Battlefields Hotel, Colenso, Tel. 0362-bbbb
R23,50 per person DBB (room with bathroom)
R22,50 " " " (without bathroom)
(12 rooms accommodating a total of 25 - 3 double rooms and 2 single rooms have bathrooms).

The Crown Hotel, Ladysmith, Tel. 0361-cccc
R19 B&B Single with Bath.
R38 B&B Double " " Dinner a la carte and carvery.

The Royal Hotel, Ladysmith, Tel. 0361-rrrr R26 B & 13 Single with Bath. R46 B & B Double " " Dinner a la carte.

Friends and interested persons are welcome to come along.

WELCOME

We extend a hearty welcome to new members: Major Denis Sheil-Small, M.C., and Messrs. George Cram and T.G. Chilvers, and to an "old" Cape Town member, recently transferred to Durban, Mr. B. Cooke.

(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv