Kathmandu: Britain has honoured the
families of six Gurkha veterans, who made the ultimate
sacrifice while serving in the British Army, with Elizabeth
Cross and Memorial Scroll.
Colonel Andrew MacFarlane Mills conferred the
prestigious honours to the families and dependents of the
veteran Gurkhas at a function in Dharan district, the British
Embassy here said.
They were conferred with the awards for sacrificing
their lives while serving in the British Army, it said.
"This seems to me a right and proper way of showing
our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively
protecting what is most dear to us all", Queen Elizabeth II
said in her message.
Introduced in July 2009, the Elizabeth Cross, named
after the current British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, is a
commemorative emblem given to the recognised next of kin of
members of the British Armed Forces killed in action or as a
result of a terrorist attack after the Second World War.
Those who received the honours include Mani Prasad
Rai, son of late rifleman Kinderman Rai, Mrs. Jogmaya Rai,
wife of late rifleman Gopal Prasad Rai, Krishna Maya Rai,
daughter of late rifleman Dangadhoj Rai, Motisara Rai, wife of
late rifleman Ratna Bahadur Rai, Mrs. Turimoti Rail, wife of
late Sergeant Kabir Bahadur Rai and Deoman Limbu, father of
Lance Corporal Budhi Prasad Limbu. The Gurkha veterans
displayed their bravery between 1949 and 1982.
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost
200 years. The potential of these warriors was first realised
by the British at the height of their empire-building in the
last century. The Victorians identified them as a "martial
race", perceiving in them particularly masculine qualities of
toughness.
"Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of the
world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part
of the British Army. They still carry into battle their
traditional weapon - an 18-inch long curved knife known as the
kukri.
PTI
