Gurkha Selection (Part 1/2) | Marine Reacts
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As an ex-Gurkha British Officer I am always interested in these videos of my ex-colleagues. I was lucky and honoured to have spent several years serving with the Gurkhas in Hong Kong, Korea, Brunei and Malaysia in the late 80s and early 90s. I don't think a lot has changed since my time, except perhaps that Gurkha soldiers now learn English whereas in my day we officers had to learn Nepalese - or rather what we used to call 'Gurkhali' (Nepalese mixed with a lot of military phrases and slang!). Of course basic training in those days was also done in Hong Kong whereas today it is done in the UK.
My take on the British Gurkha soldier is perhaps slightly at odds with the general thread here. First the negative. The Gurkha required a lot of discipline to keep them in line - but even with this, the odd incident could still happen - as it can with any group of highly trained soldiers. The Hawaii incident is just one of many - perhaps one of the few that got into the public domain; but there were many more. The Gurkha soldier required strict discipline and expected the very best leadership from their officers. Officers in the Brigade of Gurkhas were usually picked from the top 5% or so out of Sandhurst. Officers generally had to have an affinity for the Gurkhas and their way of life (or 'kaida'), in a way that was not necessarily required with British soldiers (a controversial comment perhaps I know?!); but they did demand the very best in leadership.
They did like their women - and this caused problems in a number of ways - I am sure I don't need to elaborate! In their defence though, in those days they were forbidden from marrying local women in Hong Kong or Brunei and only had 'family permission' after 6 years. (This was a three year period when they could bring their wives to their base). They are not monks and so perhaps we have to cut them a bit of slack.
Militarily they had their faults. When it came to complicated elements of equipment they did require a lot of training. Operation of radios, fire control equipment, vehicles etc. generally went to the more highly educated Gurkha. They required more training on some equipment than did a British soldier; but I think you can forgive this given where they came from. Anyone who has been a passenger in a vehicle driven by a Gurkha may understand what I am saying! Having said that, times have changed and whereas in those days most of our soldiers came from the hills, an increasing number of Gurkhas these days come from towns and so are more comfortable with modern equipment, vehicles etc.
Now the positive. The Gurkha soldier was extremely fit - thanks to two main things. Firstly they did not have a lot of money thanks to sending a good chunk home to their families they would stay in barracks much more than a British soldier. What did they do in this time? They played basketball! They loved it and played it for hours every evening. So with a 30-60 minute run each morning, military tasks during the day and then basketball in the evening they became incredibly fit. We should also remember that those soldiers who were children from the hills would have thought nothing of going to school in a village on the opposite side of a 3,000ft valley. Do the maths on that and you can see how strong they would be by the time they were 18! They could carry phenomenal weights - even though few of them were taller than 5'5'' or so. I remember in Brunei one Wednesday evening after work asking for 4 volunteers - to run the Penang Marathon with me that Sunday morning. All of them stayed with me and finished in a creditable time - in fact one of them beat me by 35 minutes! All with virtually zero additional training.
Apart from being excellent marksmen (witness the number of Gurkhas representing the British Army every year at Bisley), the average Gurkha was probably no better soldier than a Marine or Para in a European theatre of war. Excellent soldiers all of them. However, the terrain where the Gurkha was the undisputed king of his trade was the jungle. I worked with them in Malaysia and Brunei in the jungle and I remember being awed by their abilities in this environment. They would hear things I couldn't, smell things before I did and see things I would simply walk on or right by. It was their element. In the jungle they were peerless. I could spend a week with them where it rained the entire week without stopping; they would be covered in leeches, cold at night, hot in the day, sore from carrying heavy packs and covered in bites, fungal infections and foot rot. I never heard a complaint from them in the jungle, not even one mumble of discontent. Ever. Put quite simply I always felt I could ask them to do anything and they would die trying - I certainly knew I would have done anything for them. I was only in my mid-late twenties but in a strange way, even though some were older than me, they were my children and they knew I loved them. It was an honour to have served them.
My apologies if I have banged on too long! :)
Thank you for telling people more about gurkas, really interesting.(ps Sorry about my spelling of gurkas)
@@LiamHickey2967 You are so welcome!
You know another negative I hear about them? I hear they're paid less and I think we honestly take the piss, we should be treating them like first-class citizens of Britain, it appalled me seeing them get their gear in this video, they should have the best kit going made to fit, we should also do more for their home so it's easier for them, I don't know why it's such an honour to serve for the British when we're being quite frankly a bit cuntish, the Gurkhas should be treated with a lot more respect.
@@danny1ft1 Onikai. You are misinformed about the pay I am afraid. Gurkhas have been paid the same as British soldiers for over 10 years. One financial area that I do feel a little unfair is the price they have to pay to get indefinite leave to remain after their service. For a family of four this amounts to about £10k. Perhaps we could be a bit more generous here?.. .
@@SuperHaz007 Free maybe ey? I got told the other day they didn't get the same pay, good to know though, personally if you give your life to serve this country you should have full British citizenship.
1 lone British Gurkha fought and killed 50+ Taliban in Afghanistan first with bullets and grenades then with his ceremonial blade and eventually with nothing but his hands. An Indian general went in record saying "If a man says he does not fear death, he is either lying or he is a gurkha"
Wow. Tough polite warriors.
@Kyubi Tamang mate 15-25 is still crazy!!! Mad warriors those dude
@Kyubi Tamang Namaste Tamang. When I arrived in Afghanistan in 2015. I was told the same story. Your description is accurate. I have many Gurka friends. All are great and honorable, not matter what country they were trained in. I'm still here. Cut backs have sent a lot home.
One more correction in addition to the people who corrected the number of Taliban attackers... there is NOTHING ceremonial about the Kukri (knife) they carry.
@@PB-hr3hy I cant get them kills on call of duty 🤣
We are very, very proud of our Gurkha's here in the UK. Some of the most outstanding soldiers. Have a look at what they did in WWII in the East
Ditto! Best and most respected soldiers.
@James Reilly
Soldier 1: Something just brushed my shoulder
Soldier 2: We can relax then, the Gurkhas are around.
Very proud 😀 26 vc
The Gurkha regiments are based in my home town, and a statue was erected in their honour just a few hundred yards from my home.
They are much admired and respected by all the local residents. NOBODY fucks with them. ;oD
Pre-Covid, I regularly shopped in the local Nepalese supermarket. What a little treasure trove it is.
Lovely people, and absolutely none of the poor behaviour that accompanied previous regiments based here...
Im from the country nepal where gurkhas are born iam also serving now in british gurkha army which i've been selected from my country nepal throughout my hardworks
it feels great to hear this much from you guys and thankyou for making this video please do another too , jay gurkha , ayo gorkhali 🇳🇵🇬🇧
Thankyou for serving. I and many others in Britain have the utmost respect for the greatest soldiers in the greatest army. ❤️
Thanks for your service you men are a credit to your country
Thank you for your service. Utmost respect
I hope CCP doesn’t get its claws into Nepal, looking at how they treat their own.
Ru Jung I’m delighted and relieved to have such a formidable warrior as the Gurkha Regiment on our side, As they have fought like Tigers along side British forces for well over 150 years with great distinction, courage, and a Vicious reputation in battle , I’m glad they are with us as they are truly a very very special people,
My grandad spent time alongside Gurkhas in WW2. He said they were the some of the finest soldiers he ever met. He had an equally high opinion of the Kiwis, and until the day he died could name every Kiwi he served with. One day I’ll get to New Zealand for Anzacs day and pay my respects.
New Zealanders are very tough .
Lest we forget
My Grandad also said the same thing. He was Royal artillery in Burma in WW2. He said they were the only soldiers that the Japanese were scared of!
I’ll buy you a beer in Wellington NZ Darren 👍
During the Falklands War in 1982, ( a military master class by the British , well worth a review by Jamesons Travels) the Royal Marines had a saying about the fearless Gurkhas'......." With friends like these, you don't need enemies". That makes a lot of sense when you realize that one of the things the Gurkhas' are famous for is preferring to kill with a bayonet or they're unique Gurka knife/machete called a kukri. Oh, and they like to take body parts a Souvenirs, usually ears, and there isn't a Nepalis word for " surrender". They do get dual nationality, but the vast majority return to Nepal after Service and use the money and prestige they gained from their Service to improve the lives of their ENTIRE village, not just themselves and family. Their society has an enviable built-in sense of honour and loyalty that puts most of us Westerners to shame. Thats why the British Army value them so highly.
I have read more about them. Interesting history and love how the British works with them today.
Thanks for the reply. Ye they are special, thats for sure. Im a Brit and would love your take on the Falklands war 1982. Britain vs Argentina. I missed being deployed there because I was only 16 and a half. ( Navy, had to be 17 to go into combat) and I've always wondered what you guys thought about it. just found your pge by the way, its great. stay safe.
Yeah there is a word for surrender in Nepalese.
आत्मसमर्पण or Ātmasamarpaṇa
A paraphrased anecdote told by a British squaddie taken out of a book written about British Army humour.......
'We just love to have fun with (as in take the mickey out of) the Gurkhas, but don't go too far......otherwise you'll be a 50p piece of meat, on a slab, at Sainsburys' !
Lol the falklands was not a masterclass, it was a clusterfuck that we were damn lucky to win. Even sandy Woodward has said looking back mistakes were made and it was a close run thing.
So far, it seems like I'm only one in the comments to serve elbow to elbow with Gurkha. I'm a 20yr. retired Marine and served directly with Gurkha for one year in Bahrain. We worked with Gurkha every day, no days off, on twelve hour shifts. They take on their assignments very, very seriously. Gurkha are not to be fucked with. From what I see here with their training it's tougher than what Marines had to endure. Now I see why those guys didn't sweat like us in the desert heat & humidity. Bahrain was like a cakewalk for them. As far as I knew they're all Nepali and spoke perfect English. They operated on their own program and our chain of command had absolutely zero ties to theirs. They performed professionally with 100% competency and needless to say we had complete trust and faith with them.
That’s what I read as well. Real world is always better. Good stuff.
@@JamesonsTravels They are all about honour. They aren't looking to get out of Nepal. They're looking to gain higher respect for themselves, their families and their v communities. And their tradition goes back beyond 200 years. But the cooperation with the British started when the British decided fighting with them was better than fighting against them. There are very strong ties as they are part of the Commonwealth. it's way more of an honour thing and a prestige thing than it ever is about money or a passport. They are tough and they live by a strict code of honour. But as vicious as they are in the field you won't meet nicer people in person, which I'm sure Daniel Watts can attest to as he served with some for a year.
I served with them in my old Regiment. We were under strength and had a company of Gurkhas attached for a while. I also worked with them in Brecon where they were used as exercise troops (Mandalay Coy). Cracking soldiers, but some would suddenly lose the ability to understand English when a shit job came up in camp!
I just love the fact that we couldn’t defeat them so we asked them to join our army. They are a different breed those born in the mountains are so used to the altitude that a two day trek for us could be done in less than a day for them.
@Kyubi Tamang now that is something I did not know. I always took for granted that Nepal was part of the Commonweakth so I guess I never asked.
What this Marine says about them just wanting to come to the UK is not strictly true because it is only until recently that the Gurkha's were not returned to Nepal after their service and had the full pension system that British soldiers get, Now they get the same as all British soldiers due to a British public outcry.
The training is EXACTLY the same as all British soldiers so is the equipment ,uniform and pay though these young men send most of their wages Home.
The British recruited them rather than fight them which is a win for both sides, not only are they fierce warriors but they are the most polite and courteous people you could ever meet
@@Fyrdman are you British? You do realise the Parachute Regiment is hardly used.
@Kyubi Tamang England renounced for sending in outsider before sending in their own. Scottish, Irish, Indians, chinese etc..not saying they aren't fearsome
It's not so much that they want to come to the UK but they absolutely want to get into the British Army.
@@intruder313 I'm not so sure that it isn't a bit of Both, I met some way back in 1985 when I was In training and they think that being In Britain opens up a lot more opportunities and like all young men the chance of adventure and travel is irresistible.
They want to join because it is an honour to be chosen for themselves and their families. They are the most honourable and courageous soldiers I ever served with. They are nothing like the French foreign legion, they are part of the British Army. I do think you need to read up on the history of the Gurkhas. You are a complete idiot and typical American
Best pound for pound soldiers on the planet.
That's not including special forces like Navy Seals or SAS right?
In 2015 there were around 12 Gurkhas in the SAS ranks
@@kursor52 no, thats including special forces - the Gurkha are the most decorated regiment in the Britsh Army, with more Victoria Crosses than any other unit. Their medal citations read like action movie scripts
@@danieldunlavey6901 incorrect. PWRR has the most Victoria crosses.
@@samwinstanley7536 only because PWRR are an amalgamated regiment formed in 92, they're counting the VCs of their constituent parts
Served with 2/2 GR in UK & the Falklands & 1/7 GR in Belize. Both battalions as professional a soldier as you'll find. In the cold, you watch them roll their sleeves up & get down to it, so much so that cooking on the move wasn't uncommon - which really pissed Excon off as their objectives were achieved far faster than they'd have liked. In FI, I was the only feller who'd room with them & made friends for life. (I even remember several words of their tongue as was praised by a retired Capt in London a few years ago). In Belize, they were excellent in the jungle to the point that border patrols where it was known they were mounting, directly led to a reduction in border incursions. Professional, sociable & honourable to a fault.
Ex British forces and saw these guys in Belize doing jungle training.Huge respect for these soldiers.,totally dedicated fighting force.
Massive respect to the Gurkhas, the whole of us Brits love them dearly, they are legendary.
I love how polite and respectful they are.
They have a high regard for the English too, I don’t know why you would think they don’t? They are treated well here !
There motto is better to die than be a coward 🇬🇧
The history is amazing. Enemies later sharing soldiers.
This is 100% true
And they did die.
Bulgarians say live for your country, let the enemy die for there's!
@@cyclingbulgarian-london8643 is that what the Bulgarians say as their running off ?
@@mitchellplaice7673 Look up Bulgarias military history 100 years ago...
There have been cases where enemy forces have surrendered just because Gurkha turned up - I'd recommend reading up on Gurkha Victoria Cross awards, there's a lot of them and they are frequently mind blowing - here's part of one and its framing:
On 12/13 May 1945 at Taungdaw, Burma [now Myanmar], Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung was manning the most forward post of his platoon which bore the brunt of an attack by at least 200 of the Japanese enemy. He hurled back two hand grenades which had fallen on his trench, but the third exploded in his right hand after he attempted to throw it back, blowing off his fingers, shattering his arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded but the rifleman, now alone and disregarding his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand for four hours (all while he screamed "Come and fight a Gurkha!"), calmly waiting for each attack which he met with fire at point blank range.
...Of the 87 enemy dead counted in the immediate vicinity of the Company locality, 31 lay in front of this Rifleman's section, the key to the whole position. Had the enemy succeeded in over-running and occupying Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung's trench, the whole of the reverse slope position would have been completely dominated and turned.
This Rifleman, by his magnificent example, so inspired his comrades to resist the enemy to the last, that, although surrounded and cut off for three days and two nights, they held and smashed every attack.
His outstanding gallantry and extreme devotion to duty, in the face of almost overwhelming odds, were the main factors in the defeat of the enemy.
Co-worker of mine is a 20 year Airborne Ranger vet and worked with them on several occasions. He always sang their praises. Pretty high praise from a Army Rangers 1st Sgt.
I taught English in Nepal in 1995. The rural village I stayed in had no electricity or water from a tap. The conditions were very spartan. The food was just rice and vegetables. There was no sugar, or butter or milk and my colleague, also English, lost a lot of weight, as did I. It was tough. But the people were wonderful. Kind, and generous and as students, so keen to learn. That was the main difference between them, and the kids at home. Their attitude. So to your question, why do they make such good soldiers? They're used to hardship. Nothing comes easily to them, and they want to do better. It's upbringing. Oh and a side point - we had table tennis bats and a ball, but no table tennis table, so we used an old wooden door for the table. The kids wore heavy woollen blazers, and held the bat how they wanted, but soon they were thrashing me. Lol
Nothing comes easily to them. The whole explanation in a simple sentence.
My Dad serve in the Royal Marines. He said the Gurkha's wouldn't sit down in their dress uniforms because they didn't want to crease them. That was enough to impress him.
13:21 Why are they so much tougher? A huge part is simply growing up in the Himalayas - they have amazing lung capacity and stamina. Add to that a warrior culture where anything is better than cowardice and you end up with Gurkhas.
The best example I have seen was a British Gurkha officer on the range he said (paraphrased) "These guys have excellent eyesight, breath control and most importantly none of them has ever seen Rambo and think they know what they are doing - so they *listen* to their instructors."
13:45 "Those huge mountains" me: Oh I hope they show the uphill mountain run, I want to see his reaction. 5 seconds later "Yep, worth it."
Worked with them before. They were very friendly, extremely disciplined and tough as nails. When you know they have your back, there is nothing to worry.
There very feared because of there fighting skills they fight with such brutality and aggression they will rather die than surrender to the enemy it was said in ww2 the Japanese did not fear the Americans or the allied forces but they feared the gurkha solider cos they could match there savage war fighting using swords etc they are incredible fighting men so proud they fight for the best nation in the world 🇬🇧🇬🇧 and for the best military in the world 🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@JamesonsTravels There's a story in which a Taliban insurgent fired on a Gurkha and they went out to hunt for him, came back to camp and the Officer asked if he was dealt with and the Gurkha said "Yes" the Officer askes how he knew, he pulled the head of the insurgent out his bag, unfortunately he was disiplined for it lol!
@@JamesonsTravels On this subject I recently read a story explaining why they were so feared by the japanese, and it was partially their attitude of not taking prisoners (triggered by the fake surrender of some japanese soldiers who ended up killing a decent quantity of officers who went to accept their surrender) and it was also their attitude of never surrending themselves
My mate's uncle served in Burma in WWII. There were large numbers of Gurkhas involved in that campaign. When he returned home he had a collection of Japanese equipment that he swapped out his standard issue for and used for the remainder of the campaign. He had Japanese boots, water bottle and such. He explained to his family that it was all better made. His son asked if the helmet he wore was Japanese to which he replied: "No, I like my head on my shoulders!"
Apparently, the Gurkhas would leave camp at night and find sentries by feeling their helmets in the dark. If the helmet had that distinctive Japanese shape, they'd lop off the head in it. It was dangerous to wear a Japanese helmet...
@@sgpsimonb it was the shoulders. Japanese and Allied troops wore the rank patches in different positions on the shoulders.
In 1999 our Canadian Aviation unit served with the British Brigade in Kosovo. The Gurkhas were a part of the Brigade as well. I remember calling them the coordinate fuelling and parking. (One of their tasks was to secure the FARP for the Brigade.) I learnt that polite courtesies on the phone are mandatory and our direct “It’s Capt xxxx and I need to talk to LT yyyyy” was rebuffed with the Gurkha Soldier responding by; “First of all, good morning Sir, I shall take a message as the Lt is in an O Group”. I leave the message and before hanging up I said; “ have good day” and the young Lance Corporal responded in such a cheery fashion I felt bad for being so blunt before. This guys stuck together as 4 man fire teams almost all the time. For example, we sponsored a Terry Fox run in Kosovo. I was surprised how many people outside Canada knew about his run for cancer and the research charity. Anyways the last part of the race was a steep run up a small mountain on a switchback road. The winner of the race was a young US Army soldier who was just a human lung. Number two was the WHOLE 4 MAN GURKHA TEAM.
I was fortunate to work w former Gurkhas in Afghanistan. They are the best friends or the worst enemies anyone can have. Once you meet a Gurkha, you will never forget them. Good times!!
They do have a higher red blood cell count then others. To do with them growing up in a high altitude environment. So theoretically they can push harder for longer.
I vividly remember the Gurkhas returning to Fleet (Hampshire UK), their home base, after the Falklands conflict. The whole length of their march was applauded by a 7 deep crowd of the public, many of whom had travelled many miles, to welcome them home and thank them for their sacrifice on our behalf. They hold a very special place in the heart of this country.
Amazing to hear from someone who has had a lifetime of experience with these legendary troops and what they have achieved and are capable of. Even the SAS or SBS, or American Rangers etc., must stand in awe of them, and their courage and capabilities.
The Japanese were terrified of them during WWII. They're very respected by the britsh army and the public. Very nice young men as well as fierce and tough soldiers.
The story of how the British started recruiting Gurkhas (as how the story is passed down to us Nepalese) was that Britain once tried to conquer Nepal but they couldn’t. However they were SO impressed by the Gurkha’s bravery that they decided to recruit them instead.
Also since the competition is really harsh, they check for every single part of the body for even the tiniest flaw. My dad failed the first time because one of his teeth had a hole. He passed the second time after he fixed it.
It's the people. These young men see this as a duty. They walk the trails and mountains with heavy loads on their backs all of the time they are amazing. They do this with a sense of pride and duty.
The Gurkha are a real asset to the British army, they are one of the most feared and respected outfits, even the SAS love working with them, the Gurkha are desperate to get selected because they have so much respect for the British armed forces, and that is a family honour to have made it, yes their son may get to have a better life but its the honour of fighting for the British, these two fought against each other and the British were so impressed with their fighting skills they ended up recruiting them for over 200 yrs.
When my grandfather (a WW2 RAF veteran of the Battle of Britain and North Africa) died we were given permision to scatter his ashes at his former station - which had been taken over by the Army. There was a detrachment of Gurkha's there. As we scattered his Ashes a Gurkha was directed by the CO to play "Flowers of the Forest" on Bagpipes. He served with people from all over (mostly Polish) and he would have been so proud.
I've been trecking in those mountains and believe me just walking uphill was a struggle as a fit 25yo for these guys to be running with anything on their backs at that altitude is insane
The history of the ghurkas goes to the beginning of the 19th century when the british east india company and the british themselves saw the Nepalese as an asset for raging war as of opposed to colonization because of their legendary fighting skills and "warrior culture", they've fought in the Falklands, burma, india, ww2 all over the world and not only the british but in Singapore, india and the UN theres ghurkas serving too.
Bonus fact : as the french forgein legion they are extempt of having a mercenary status under the first protocol of the geneva convention regarding mercenaries in war/conflicts.
The band around the forehead is called a tumpline. It's been around for millenia. It's a very efficient way of stabilizing a moderately heavy load carried on the back. It works because it keeps the load, and the bearer of said load pointing in the same direction instead of shifting to and fro.
My kiwi Grandfather had gurkas assigned to his tank squadron in the battle of cassino. Ww2. I always recall his story of the gurka solider shooting 2 Germans from across the river who were attacking their flank. He said the guy was one of the best shots he ever saw and saved a bunch of the solders that day with his rifle skills.
ex-USN, in the Arabian peninsula, we coordinated with retired Ghurkas for facility security, there was a deep pride and respect for each other's professional capability and history. Same thing with the Mongolians, Russians, Israelis and Australians. Harder than peckerwood, they were, and crazy good friends. Thanks for the reactions.
I heard they are good warriors. Polite and ferocious.
@@JamesonsTravels based on what I saw, I'd agree. When I was a kid, I went to Sri Lanka, 2005 after the tsunami but the Tamil tigers were still fighting. There was a guy I hung out with who was Nepalese aristocracy, who told me that India and Sri Lanka was trying to stop England and Nepal from sending the Ghurkas in to lay hate and discontent down. As most Ghurkas would take their Buddhism pretty serious in the Buddhist/Hindu/Muslim fighting. "Blood Bath" was mentioned several times.
I don't know where you get your information on the Ghurkas but they are proud to become soldiers for the British Army in their country. They go through a selection course/training (very much like us British soldiers) to test if they are fit enough to go through the basic training. Just because a British soldier may pass the selection does not mean he will pass basic training. These Ghurkas, however, have trained so hard to become a soldier (their numbers are restricted so competition is tough) they do not want to go to basic and fail. They are not only leaving Nepal because it is poor and want a British passport. They deserve to be treated as British for their time given to the forces. I remember seeing them back in 1988 playing football in our barracks. The goalkeeper was so bored he was doing roundhouse kicks in the goal area touching the top goal post. Blew my mind. Very good and dedicated soldiers. They take their role very very seriously. You just need to see Bisley every year to see how many of the Ghurkas are there
I was honoured to be on a number of exercises with these amazing guys..... as part of the Light Division. I was in the Royal Green Jackets and these guys ran on rice and this local tobacco they’d place inside their cheek. I remember prepping for a live fire exercise..... and these guys did the whole exercise while I was still getting cammed up.
I would take a bunch of these guys over any other fighting force in the World!!! Swift & bold!!!
Proud to be Gurkha❤️❤️❤️🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵🙏🙏🙏
Looks like a hard bunch of warriors ! Love to do a zoom call interview since so many people are interested. Contact me at jamesonstravels.Com.
The Ghurkha's are based in my home town in Folkestone, England. I have to say that you could not meet a nicer group of people, They are also tenacious warriors who I would rather have on my side. My country is richer for having these people in our military and I'm glad that their families can finally live in our country too. Young British men have so much to learn from these humble, respectful , hard working men. After they leave the military many find work in private security firms. You simply do not mess with a Gurkha. I love your content, and your insight. Bravo.
Gurkha's are nothing like the French Foreign Legion. Gurkha's are from Nepal a British protectorate. Up until the 2000's they did not get an automatic British passport. In fact they were sent back to Nepal after service unless they applied for citizenship but that was not guaranteed. The Nepali's people considered it a great honor to get into the Gurkha Rifle's and this is why they volunteer. The Gurkha's do not have to speak English to get in but every British person in the Gurkha Rifles must speak gurkhali!
For the last few years I have been fortunate to have assisted in the arrival in the UK of each year's intake. They are all very quiet and respectful, if perhaps a little in awe of the whole business. After all their training and selection they are given different clothing, put on at least 2 airliners, when most have never even been on a train, and then arrive in an alien country to be met by police of three different kinds and then put on buses to their new home. I seem to remember Joanna Lumley being a prominent figure in them being given certain rights such as pension, staying in the country after their service and the ability to bring family over to join them. Not allowing them these rights was a scandal.
My Grandfather was an Officer in the Ghurkas during WWII. He was a professional soldier that rose from the ranks and was a WO1 at 29 in the Lincolshire Rifles. He was commisioned in 1939 into the Ghurkas and he retired as a Major.
All Officers of the Ghurkas were white back in the day.
He served in Burmay and Malaya during the war.
Before the War he spent his time in the Northwest Frontier now Pakistan, preventing the Afghan tribes invading India.
He was hardcore.
I have his combat Kukri in my bedroom.
Wow. that is some history. I bet he could share wisdom with you
@@JamesonsTravels I am sure he would of but he died in 74 from heart problems he got from Jungle diseases.
His name was Major George Edward Dawson 7th Gurkha Rifles.
A true hero from the greatest generation.
I still remember to this day looking at a tobacco tin with Japanese Office cufflinks and other Japanese Soldiers paraphernalia. I dont think they gave their personel belongings to him!!
Apperently someone in the family has an Officers samurai Sword from my gandfather.
Thanks for the Reply.
Made me sad when he immediately assumed they get UK citizenship...It's only embarrassingly recently that Gurkha veterans have got right of abode. 10 years maybe?
There was a huge campaign that was spearheaded by Joanna Lumley (British comedy actress, potentially most wonderful woman on the planet) that finally got it sorted out. There were some brilliant documentaries with her about it, she was born there because her dad was a Gurkha commander I think, if you can watch them they are brilliant...but once you hear her voice, you will be in love, it's unavoidable.
It’s not so much it’s tougher as the training is the same, apart from the use of the Kurki. It’s the mentality, Gurkhas are recruited from mostly what is considered warrior tribes. I heard when the Argentines surrender in the Falklands the Gurkha were pissed as they never got to fight and felt they were cheated of honour in battle and that their opponents were cowards. They live to fight and fighting is what makes them a man in their culture.
Respect
@zarelli mate get your facts right first. Your knowledge or so called facts makes me laugh. I come from family generation who all served in Gurkha regiment. They have all participate in different fronts for British empire. U say the training is not tough? How about fighting for your spot in about 400 from among more than 15 thousand applicants who all give absolute everything to enlist. How about carrying 25 kg weight and climbing uphill steep mountain about 5km under 46 minute? Its easy for u to just type everything down without acknowledging the difficulty these guys go through. And who told u that we are fighting tribe? Are u high mate? And about Falkland war, who told u Gurkhas were disappointed and lost their honour as they could not fight? Are kidding me mate. 🤣🤣. My dad fought in Falklands war. He never said anything like that. One of the reason the british won the war was they spread the rumours to Argentinians about gurkha regiment saying that they are wild tribe and they kill and eat their enemies. 🤣🤣
We Nepalese are not a fighting war tribe. We don't live to fight and trust me fighting does not make a man, not in our culture or in any culture. Even with rich gallantry accolades associated with Gurkhas, we are peace loving people. And mate it is Khukuri.
Sagar Gurung you’re trained at the same standards as anyone else in true British army! I went through basic training at Cattrick and we are trained to the same standards. Tell me from YOUR experience what is different apart from the selection?
Sagar Gurung and you’re only fighting for your spot as we can only take so many into the regiment. You’re not Royal Marines who have to go through elimination in training to keep your spot within the regiment.
@@zarelli7831 sorry mate i wasn't so lucky as my father and grandfather to serve in the British army. But from what I have experienced, the reason the Gurkhas are fierce and brave is due to there loyalty and dedication to their job.
And don't know about the training difference between royal marines and gurkhas but i can say u this that my grandfather is 99 and he is still fit and does all his chores and even exercises daily and my dad is 63 and he is i think more fitter then me.
The Gurkha gave the British army the bloodiest nose it ever got, so they started recruiting them soon after that war ended, and have never looked back.
They've even let them keep their traditional knife, the khukri, as par of their special kit.
The Ghurka are to infantry what the Sherpa are to mountaineering.
Smart move. Who won't want a tough breed in their arsenal.
They had government agreement with the British after their leader was established with the help of Britain. promising certain numbers of recruita from napal.
I was an Army PTI (physical training instructor) working from a combat engineer training facility. I had the pleasure of instructing 2 Gurkha Squadrons over many weeks. Very fit, never complained or fell too far behind if at all and sang songs on some of our longer weighted marches. Also working along side them in Bosnia they made some of the best curry I have ever had.
"If a man claims he is not afraid of death, he is either a liar or a Gurkha"- Indian Proverb.
LOL. that is funny af
@@JamesonsTravels very true though
Its not a proverb. It was just something Sam Manekshaw said.
love it lol
There is no such thing as this, i am Indian. It was said by British to brainwash Nepalis to help them control India
What the hell has the French Foreign Legion got to do with the Gurkhas, there is a complete difference between the French Foreign Legion and the Gurkhas, the French Foreign Legion takes in Any man from any part of the world and it ain't choosy about the background of any recruit or there history. It is well known that the French Foreign Legion do have Soldiers in its ranks that are criminals either just out of prison or eluding the authorities. These French Foreign Legion soldiers are given new identities, French Citizenship and new French passports. The Gurkhas are young men from Nepal that join the British Army to better there lives, get fed, get an education, a roof over there heads, get paid which many Gurkhas give some of their wages to there families in Nepal. They eventually get a British passport also British citizenship when they finish their service in the Gurkha Regiment. And rightly so. The Gurkhas are the most loyalist Regiments that this country has and the most feared by our enemies as they are incredibly brave and deadly warriors. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Of course theres a direct comparison.
Foreign nationals serving in a distinct regiment for a foreign power.
Whats the difference? Any differences of service who cares. Theyre foreign nationals serving a foreign power in BOTH cases.
The similarity is that you have a unit of foreign nationals fighting in the armed forces of a country of which they are not citizens. Both are regarded as elite units with a unique espirit de corps and traditions because you need to build them into a brotherhood to which they are emotionally invested, because appealing to traditional patriotism won't work.
French foreign legion no longer uses criminals
You are not informed
There’s a story of a Gurkha where he’s position we’re under attack by the Japanese at night and him and some others where all that stood between them and the camps. The solider had a grenade blow of his fingers on one hand but he kept fighting with his rifle one handed for the night until relief came and he was awarded the Victorian cross. Simple history made a video on him and it’s pretty interesting
LOVE YOUR STUFF Jameson!
The basket they're carrying is very common to rural areas in asia (Philippines) used to carry vegetebales from the valley to the plains.
Same here in Borneo, mostly among the Dayak tribes.
Greeting from your southern neighbour.
Great people, fierce warriors...They have earned their reputation. Respect from a Kiwi
My dad fought with these guys in the Falklands, he told me many personal anecdotes of ghurkas sometimes on their own, sometimes in groups of 2 or 3, returning to base in the small hours of the morning, with their blades covered in blood.
You do NOT fuck around with the Ghurkas.
i have met a few gurkahs and they are some of the most humble yet savage guys i have ever seen for sure. They are as tough as they come
These guys have always been some of my favorite war fighters. Their physical fitness is outstanding because they are raised a such high altitudes. I don’t know how much truth there is to this but a few years back I heard they got kicked out of Afghanistan for cutting of the heads of terrorists. That is out fucking standing! A little taste of their own medicine for the moojes.
Yup thats true bt he was jst given punishment nt kicked at least for now
The Gurkhas were used by the British since the Indian occupation.
During the Hong Kong crisis in the 1950s with communist China, the British government used the Gurkhas to guard and patrol the border with China.
The Gurkhas beheaded many Chinese communist guerrillas who tried to cross the border between Hong Kong and mainland China.
The Chinese Communist government stopped sending armed insurgents into Hong Kong.
Gurkhas signed their military enlistment with the British government with the promise of loyal service until retirement.
The Gurkhas retire from the British Army with a good pension but no medical benefits.
The French Foreign Legion retirement includes money and medical benefits plus a French citizenship.
Gurkhas have to go back home to Nepal without a British citizenship.
It's a shame for the British government to treat the Gurkhas like migrant farm workers.
Yeah it's shameful that a lot of them don't get to become a Subject, or settlement rights, full access to NHS, right to work here etc. In my opinion, that should be 100% automatic after serving more than a decade (nevermind the full 22!). They have "paid their way" many times over by then, compared to what other immigrants have to do.
I'd be glad to have more retired Gurkhas living here. I think their work ethic, attitude, honour and discipline actually helps the British communities they end up living in.
I have the utter most respect for these guys and very proud to have them as my brothers in arms.
The Gurkha are very highly respected in all UK military .I was in the RN and the Royal Marines were doing training on Dartmoor with some Gurkhas, Not only were the Gurkhas kind and respectable friendly people...In the blink of an eye turned in to killing machine.....
She never said "toughest", she said ONE of the "fiercest" regiments in the British Army. Which they are!
I competed in a mountain team race in Brecon some years ago. 1st place, Ghurka 1, 2nd place, Ghurka 2, 3rd place Ghurka youth 🤣 unbelievable fitness
Would like to see part two of your reaction, as this is a far more realistic video than the RM one. Have a look at the Gurkhas history with the Victoria cross medal and you will see why we recruit them. Little guys but tough as rock.
Gurkhas are one of the best warriors in the British Army, non special forces.
They're humble and they didn't grumble, they just smiled, laughed and cracked on with the job...
They're awesome drinkers and the best mates you could ever have.
Great sense of humour too, I remember being a naive 18 year old and I saw a group of them, I went over to them to say hello and a general chat. Smiles all round and one of them offered me what appeared regular chewing gum... 😂 Oh no! It was fiery curry chewing gum... They could see my reaction, and I didn't want to spit it out, incase it offended them. Me not being a curry eater at the time too! 😂I just had to brave it. Great laughs all around.
I still keep in contact with a few of them today.
Very humble and very respectful
Great mates and definitely want them on your side.
From a friend across the pond.
And by the way, some speak near perfect English, some none - I know some one who teaches them. The best soldiers. Not mercenaries. Loyal allies. Fierce warriors
The recruitng rights date back 200 years to the time we fought them trying to expand the empire in 1814, the campaigns though small were hard fought and eventually ended in a slight british victory, and nepal remained independent, but the prowess of the gurkas was recognised and the right to recuit was part of the settlement
There is a very strong family traditon of joining the Gurkhas and familes put a lot of pressure on sons to join, recuriters dont have to travel to find recruits - the desire to join is so great at one stage they had to erect suicide nets near the recruitment centers
The Indian Army alsi inherted recruitng rights
The desire to join is not nearly as economically motivated as you imply pride is a huge part of it
Selection is carried out in Nepal, those selected train in England
Good stuff. Look like fine men to have on your side.
My uncle Bill Ward who was in Burma in WW2 knew these lads, and had a great reverence for them. Perfect jungle fighters, they would go out into the jungle and take on the Japanese. The Gurkha knives are ultra sharp. You can easily dry shave your arms with these. My uncle told me that the Gurkhas had a way of showing what results they had obtained from each patrol. Each chap used to have a steel ring on his belt. When they killed a Japanese soldier, they would cut off his right ear and put it on the ring. My uncle said that some guys would return from patrol with a dozen right ears on the ring.
They're really nice people, I remember when I was in training I bumped into a gurka Sgt in the naffi and he apologised first and smiled, if I'd bumped into one of my Scottish plt sgts I wouldve been bounced across the shop
No comparison to the french foreign legion imo - it’s simply because of their excellence. That’s the only reason they are recruited.
They do love Britain and they have brotherhood with our military - it’s not true that they have no desire to fight for queen and country etc.
The British decided to make them part of the military because they are the only fighting force they could never defeat, so brave and determined. Feel sorry for whoever goes up against them.
Love the history of it. Good stuff.
@@marcelbob3659 not chance would that be considered.
The Gurkhas played a massive role in WW2 in Imphal n Burma. At one stage the British 17 army was cutoff and surrounded by 5 Japanese army’s/divisions and the Gurkhas would sneak out at night and carry out gorilla raids on the Japanese flank, the 17th held out and with the help of the Gurkhas, the British got reinforced a pushed the retreating Japanese into Rangoon.
I served with them many times through 3 Commando battle group. Amazing guys nothing but respect for them
I just recently heard the story of Lachhiman Gurung during WW2 and he had his right hand shot off fighting the Japanese but still used his left hand and killed around 30 Japanese by himself.
Part 2 please
Will do. Keep watching brother. B
Geez this guy as noooooo idea . We may have a recruitment shortage but we have had the Gurkhas in the British Army for a loooooooong time , way before any recruitment shortage. We have them because there one tough well trained special people and are proud to have them as much as there proud to serve for the UK.
I dunno if you'll see this or if someone has already spoken of this, but the thing with the band around the head? On our side of the pond (former Can. grunt) it's called a "tumpline." Native North Americans used them. Canadian army used them in WW1 to help with carrying supplies up to the trenches. You'd be amazed at how much it helps.
Why are they "tougher" .. I wouldn't say tougher. I think they have a code of honour and shame. The shame of failure and the honour to be where they at. IT's that that sets the apart. The shame of disobeying orders, the shame of being called a coward. And honour. A sense of self respect at who they are who they've become.
Totally agree. They do say death before cowardice.
I noticed how u said Britain or England. Just in case you didn’t know Britain is made up from 4 country’s. England. Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland. All have there own culture native language and separate governments and even regiments for example the royal Scots. But all fight under the Union Jack 🇬🇧
Almost, the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And I'm sure I heard somewhere that the Union Jack is what the Royal Navy call the Union Flag.
Max 123 it’s the Union flag
Shaggy Baggums it’s is
Shaggy Baggums all my life I’ve only heard it being called the Union Jack never heard someone say union flag. And although Ireland isn’t on the island of gb they are British citizens
Sparta beer reviews Sparta beer I’ve only heard people call it Union Jack. Never in my life has someone said union flag. Could be regional
I grew up as a kid with the Gurkha regiment in Aldershot, there is a lot of truths and a few myths about these fierce little warriors. I have learned from my father and the Gurkhas themselves that the Germans in world war two feared them more than most others, including the Black Watch.
I used to go up to their barracks and watch them, tough little buggers the lot of them. They only ever let blood if they drew their kukri in anger.
Excellent as always
i remember being in army cadets in the 90s and meeting a group of these tough as nails soldiers,i asked one could i see his kukri and he obliged,he unsheethed it and slit his thumb with it,when i asked him why he did that he replied" this is not allowed to be drawn without getting blood on the blade",some of the most baddass soldiers iv met
They are all Nepalese. Great video as always.
thanks. enjoyed learning about these guys
I am being picky but interestingly not all Gurkhas come from Nepal. Some hail from the Darjeeling area of Sikkim in the North East of India. Nepali is the most commonly spoken language here. (I lived in New Delhi for two years and my maid was an Indian of Nepalese extraction from Darjeeling. She was most surprised to find her job interview being partly done in Nepalese as her boss was an ex British Gurkha officer!)
The Nepalese in this area have been campaigning for independance for several decades - for an independent "Gorkhaland".
Anyway, apologies for a small picky correction!
my dad was in the royal airforce in WW2. he told me the gurkhas were the most feared by the germans .. when they were at a pub they would goad them into pulling out their knives because they had a custom of if they pulled their knives out they could not put them back unless the knife drew blood so they would lightly cut themselves so they could resheath their knives....
13:20 well good question, I think the honor and prestige of serving and maintaining the reputation of being some of the scariest close quarter fighters on the planet. Also I do remember something I was reading about people in mountain regions around there that have extra blood vessels in the lip that allow them to absorb way more oxygen so they don't have problems we do at high elevations and this would explain their somewhat godly stamina.
Cant compare gurkhas with the legion. Alot of gurkhas dnt speak english and the legion have to learn French and take tests. I lived in same barracks as their recruits in helles barracks catterick they were always in suits and alot of time on slot machines lol. Great fighting men
Gurkhas have to learn english, but this is kindof new, b4, British officer had to learn Gurkhali (Military Slang Nepalish Language.
"Nepal not up with the PC Culture" - Yep, and thank God for that. The sooner PC and Woke culture are consigned to the dustbin of history the better. The Gurkhas serve their terms and return to Nepal "cashed up", educated and keen to help keep their country safe. Legionnaires are runaways, fugetives, and have no loyalties to anything but the Legion. Gurkhas are loyal to their country, their families and their regiment. Much better men all round.
David STOKES
that’s actually pretty wrong 😂 I lived in Nepal for some time and go there almost every year. I‘m actually from Germany. In the 90s, I studied in Nepal, and that was the first time someone explained to me how the internet works lol. I set up my first email address in a tiny stall in Nepal, and a few years later I learnt in Nepal that there is something called WiFi and it works 😂😂 Was like a miracle for me.
When I bought my first cell phone, it was a Nepali who explained it to me. And whenever I have computer problems, some of my Nepali friends can help.
Because they live in such a remote country, they are very eager to get the newest technology working. If your laptop or cell phone is broken, bring it to Kathmandu, and someone will fix it for sure!
@@mathildewesendonck7225 By PC Culture I mean the Political Correctness that pervades the west, not computers. You have totally misunderstood my post. It is a comment about the wonderful people of Nepal compared to the degeneration of thought and belief in my own country and much of the west.
Many years ago I used to be a NBC Instructor and remember training 7 Gurkha Regiment.
They did exactly what you told them to do, to the letter.
Most signed up to serve twenty years, and then went back to Napal, and bought a farm.
Some Gurkhas stay in the U.K. and if go to the Essex town of Colchester where usually see many of them driving buses.
I remember chatting to a female RAF Air Traffic Control , and asked her how her father who was an ex Gurkha , what did he think of her joining the Royal Air
Force ?
Her father told her to join the RAF as the accommodation,food, and uniform were better than the British Army.
In 1945, Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung was stationed in a trench with only two other men when over 200 Japanese soldiers opened fire. Gurung's comrades were severely wounded. As grenades flew in one after another, Gurung tried to throw each one back.
He was successful with the first two, but the third exploded in his right hand. His fingers were blown off and his face, body, and right arm and leg were badly wounded.
As the Japanese stormed the trench, Gurung used his left hand to wield his rifle, defeating 31 enemies and preventing the Japanese from advancing. Gurung survived, and was awarded with a Victoria Cross later that year.
Watch the video again , they dont go round picking the best, they set up 2 recruiting points and the candidates turn up, then are tested and then it happens and stop saying England, its the British Army , FFS a Scotsman formed the US Navy and you ignore the Scots Welsh and Northern Irish
Your assertion that “everyone is paying money to get in” is horseshit. Every part of the selection is designed to take the best, not anyone who tries to cheat their way in.
I did not assert sh-t. the original voice over guy did. I don't know enough about it to have an opinion.
@@JamesonsTravels because in Nepal they think that they can pay their way in but they are told by the British that are there that is not the case its basically something they do over their for certain things and unfortunately some people try to take advantage of the recruits because for them to get into the gurkha regiment is everything.
My dad served alongside the Gurkhas during the Malayan Campaign in the 60s.
He admired them greatly and refers to them as a "good bunch of lads".
The main physical difference between Gurkhas and other soldiers is that they live on rather high altitude.
So they already have much greater stamina, endurance.
They had gone through high altitude training for their entire lives by simply living where they lived.
Hey Mr Jameson, I take it you’re descended from Scotsmen then. Is that why you don’t like the English 😏
Mate, I’m amazed that you decided to make a video about the Gurkhas when you know bugger all about them. I think comparing them to the French Foreign Legion is a very poor and disrespects the Gurkhas. The French offer anonymity to foreigners in trouble with the law ...you can basically say they are harboring criminals.
I did not compare anything. Wake up and get off your high horse.
Why did you “heart” my comment then?
@@JamesonsTravels you literraly said they were like a version of the french foreign legion but one nationality for the most part.....
I think he did a good job commenting on something quite unusual and fairly unique, especially to a non-Brit/Nepalese!
@@JamesonsTravels Some people just take things too seriously and live with a stick up their ass lol I probably don't have to tell you, but don't mind people like that. They bitch just to bitch lol
You asked about the headstrap on the basket (pack). It helps carrying heavy loads in shitty terrain. My father introduced me to them when I was a kid. It was used on 14 day whitewater trips as the mess kit. Hard to imagine how it helps until you actually try it, but it does help.
I was an Australian tank crewman and had the privilege of working with the Gurkha Anti Armour crews each year in the late 1980’s on the Blue Flyer exercises in Puckapunyal Australia. They would fly down from Hong Kong each year with their Milan ATGMs and we would work them in our Leopard AS1 MBTs both in cooperation and as OPFOR with them. I remember them as tough little blokes who carried huge loads without complaint. I remember them being experts at personal camouflage but not really great independent thinkers. I also remember them not being too comfortable working at night but overall being really handy troops who got on well with our Diggers. Great memories
Back in 1991 I was in my mid 20's I spent a year travelling India and Nepal. I trekked into the high Himalaya's from Pokhara and into the Annapurna massif. There I met Sherpas who had failed the Gurkha selection process. They worked as porter's and guides for mountaineering expeditions and also for construction and development projects helping to bring water and sewage systems to high altitude outposts and village's. I spoke with one Sherpa who was carrying a metal pipe weighing 90kg suspended from a doka on his head!!
They have a reputation in Britain of being one of the best fighting units in the British army. I remember hearing years ago that if there was an incident with a Gurkha soldier unsheathing their blade in a fight they would have to draw blood....I'm not sure if that's true or not.
“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
The thing I remember about the Ghurkas is from George MacDonald Fraser's memoirs of the Burma campaign. His mob were ordered to follow up a Ghurka assault on a Japanese position. Fraser recalls having to step over rifles in the advance, as the Ghurkas had dropped all their firearms and gone in against the rifles and machine-guns with cold steel. Fraser and his pals didn't find a single living enemy soldier by the time they caught up.
The lesson seems to be, don't get a Ghurka angry.