Britain's Gurkha soldiers return after Afghanistan tour
AFP
LONDON - Nepalese soldiers from The Royal Gurkha Rifles returned Sunday to their base in Britain and the arms of their families after a gruelling tour of duty in Afghanistan.
More than 100 Gurkhas from Foxtrot Company, drawn from the regiment's 1st and 2nd Battalions returned to Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone on the southeast English coast.
They were each presented with a khada ceremonial scarf and some soldiers sang Nepalese songs as they reunited with their loved ones.
Foxtrot Company deployed to Afghanistan in April and mentored the Afghan National Police across the troubled southern Helmand Province, where British troops are battling Taliban insurgents.
Corporal Kumar Pun, 31, of 1st Battalion, was killed in a suicide bombing in Gereshk in May alongside Sergeant Ben Ross of the Royal Military Police.
"The boys did an outstanding job in Afghanistan in difficult circumstances, not only because of the environment they were in but also because of the enemy threat," said Major Chris Conroy, commanding officer of Foxtrot Company.
"Clearly it was a great shame to lose Corporal Pun and Sergeant Ross but on deploying we knew the threat that we were undertaking."
During their deployment, the British government retreated and announced that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to settle in Britain.
About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II and more than 45,000 have died in British uniform. Around 3,500 currently serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan.
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Corporal Kumar Pun, 31, of 1st Battalion, was killed in a suicide bombing in Gereshk in May alongside Sergeant Ben Ross of the Royal Military Police.
"The boys did an outstanding job in Afghanistan in difficult circumstances, not only because of the environment they were in but also because of the enemy threat," said Major Chris Conroy, commanding officer of Foxtrot Company.
"Clearly it was a great shame to lose Corporal Pun and Sergeant Ross but on deploying we knew the threat that we were undertaking."
During their deployment, the British government retreated and announced that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to settle in Britain.
About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II and more than 45,000 have died in British uniform. Around 3,500 currently serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan.
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