[lit-ideas] Re: Gurkha Lurkers

--- Lawrence Helm <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


> The Gurkhas live and train in ideal Lycurgus
> arrangements.  Perhaps the
> other "Martial Races," the Scots and Welsh serve
> short terms and go home,
> but the Gurkhas are in the service until they die,
> are incapacitated or
> retire.   


Gurkhas up to and including the rank of corporal serve
a maximum of 15 years (higher ranks, 22 years); after
that time, they are entitled to a pension.  As of
2002m the average (mean) length of service for Gurkha
soldiers in the British Army below office rank was
basically similar to that of their British
counterparts (9-10 years) but -- interestingly --
Gurkha officers served twice as long as Britons.

As of 2007, terms and conditions of service for Gurkha
and British members of British regiments are to be
identical (this is probably related to the long
campaign for the fair treatment of Gurkhas).

They 'live and train' in various places in England.
The Royal Gurkha Rifles are based in Folkestone but
often move slightly away from there to live and to
raise their families:  

"Some Gurkha families are even moving as far as Dover
to get away from the confines of the military base.

They are integrating well into local communities.

One in every six pupils at Cheriton Primary School is
Nepalese."



  



Judy Evans, Cardiff, UK


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