Britain's Gurkhas: How an elite unit came of age
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- Опубликовано: 17 авг 2023
- The Gurkha’s - one of the most famous regiments in the British army. These tough men from Nepal have fought across the globe for Britain.
But how did they end up fighting for the British and when did they emerge as an elite unit? That’s the story we are telling today.
I am joined by the wonderful Josh Provan who can be found on Twitter
as @LandOfHistory - he also has a RUclips channel - / @adventuresinhistoryla...
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I was attached to these guys in Bosnia. They were fantastic, polite, disciplined, friendly and deadly. I'll always look up to that regiment.
My son has just done a bag piper course in the army up in Edinburgh. Half his course were Ghurkas. He got on so well with them that they got him made a Kukri and had it shipped over from Nepal to present to him. It was engraved with beautiful designs and will be a keep sake he will treasure for the rest of his life...
Fantastic story - thanks for sharing.
my cuz was 59 commando the Gurkhas used to come and see north wales and sleep on the floor in his bedroom in his mum dads house there lovely lads even if he was in his gf house. the house was allways open to sleep in his room for them 5 of them drove 10 hours too say hi to him and his mum and dad on xmas day once :)
I was attached to the Gurkhas in Hong Kong. A more polite, loyal and ferocious comrade you couldn’t find.
You got it My father was in India in last war there were Gurkha with them
He told me in a hand to hand fight pray for a Gurkha by your side they never give in ever
As a member of the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, I was proud to serve alongside the 2/7th Duke of Edinburgh's Gurkha Rifles in Malaysia in 1967/68. Both in garrison and out in the bush, they were excellent soldiers. Despite their average height, they excelled in basketball. Very good so0ldiers.
I am surprised by the fact that they excelled at the basketball (LOL) There is no doubt that they were very good soldiers. A rather harsh natural environment and a life that involves hard physical work (like the one of our ancestors in the 19th century) produces very fine soldier material. Besides, the Gurkha cultura values military virtues, as the Europeans did until 1945. Regards.
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 They had a great technique when playing basketball. Back before 3 point long-range hoop shots were in, they did it all the time. Made up for their lack of height around the hoop.
@@alonsocushing2263 Clever men! 😁👌
@@arslongavitabrevis5136Until 1945?
Thank you for making this video, proud of my tribe and proud to be a gorkhali. Lots of love from nepal 🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵
You are very welcome. Thanks for your message.
@@redcoathistory🙌❤
Britain treated them shamefully in the modern era . If Australia had the balls , then they would of made a magnificent addition to the ADF
Very Interesting. In the 1980's Journalist/Reporter, Ian Woolridge did a load of eclectic documentaries. One was on the Gurkha Regiment/s. In his one, in 1815 he stated the East India Co. was on the prod north & the Gurkhas, on the prod south. They clashed. The East India lot couldn't believe the ferocity & chivalry of the Gurkhas. So much that wounded Gurkha soldiers would go & seek aid off the East India lot, & then traipse back to their own Lines & continue fighting! The O/C a Gen. Auchterlonie, said, "The sooner we get these chaps on our side the better!." Then the Truce/Peace Agreement was drawn up.
Fantastic, incredible People. Indeed, 'The Bravest of the Brave.'
I would enjoy an indepth history of British and Nepalese scuffles. People can bring up samurai or spartans or even Zulus, but of you want just a shear fighting man, the Gurkhas are who I would pick.
These are a proud nation of people. And a great nation of people who are a proud part to be part of the british army .these are the type of people this country should let live here.not like half of the rubbish you have here now
My Dad before he passed told a story where a Gurkha was riding on a train full of civilians armed only with his kukuri knife when bandits struck. The lone Gurkha quickly dispatched these bandits using only his knife. Can anyone corroborate this story?
This incident was fairly recent in September 2010. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishnu_Shrestha
@@alonsocushing2263I did not realise that the Indian army had Ghurka soldiers too, until I read your link. Thanks for your answer.
@@simondavies4603 Singapore also uses them.
@@alonsocushing2263 hat und nicht hatte...
True. Bishnu Shrestha of 8 GR, my father's Regt, had retired and was returning home by train when the bandits struck. They started looting the train and all passengers were asked to hand over their money and valuables. Bishnu also quietly gave them his watch, money etc. There was a family including a young girl in his compartment and they also handed over their valuables. The bandits then tried to molest the girl which angered Bishnu and he drew his khukuri out and attacked the molesters. Not a single passenger helped him, and he fought those bandits alone, with his khukuri!
Those bandits ran away and he saved the honour of that girl.
Thank you Redcoat for doing this video.Bless you.
I'm from a Gurkha family myself.
To know the Gurkha history from few era back, it was absolutely fascinating.
My granddad served, my dad served, my brother still serves. I tried but couldnt make the cut.😅😅 . But hey ho, Gurkha to the core!!
If the 3rd world war kicks in, count me in.
Ayo Gurkhali !!!
Thanks a lot. Glad you found the video interesting and let’s hope ww3 doesn’t happen 😅
My uncle worked out East for the government in the 60s and got to meet a British officer who had commanded a Gurkha unit. The officer could hardly hide his respect and admiration. He told how, on patrol in the hostile jungle, the gurkhas would "pester" him in the evenings to be allowed to leave camp and hunt down the enemy during the night.
My Gurkha annecdeote comes from my grandad, WW2 had just finished and he was visiting a botanical garden in london full of tropical plants....all of a sudden he got a tap on the shoulder, he looks round to see a smiling Gurkha "You didn't see me, did you?" The way he told it was like Gurkhas had supernatural powers of stealth.
My grand father also fought along side british and he use to tell story to my father a lot about ww2 and now am also preparing for british army
Good job that. I wish you well.
Good luck my friend..
It sounds as though you already come from a good fighting family so I also wish you well and I'm sure that you will make it.
These men are
BRITISH TO THE CORE.
🇬🇧
No they are Nepalese and extremely proud of it.
No, they aren’t.
Mate you got to care about the race who started it all.
In the late sixties, I was in the bar at Marylebone Station when a Gurkha came in and ordered a beer. No one in the bar would allow him to pay for it himself, such was the respect.they are held in.
That's good to hear - thanks for sharing.
I recall a Gurkha patrol coming out of the ulu in Malaya…after a stint! Laughing their heads off…fine soldiers…I raise my rum to them…!cheers..
Indentured Labour
One of the worlds best infantrymen in words and deeds.
very interesting. You've gotta love the Gurkhas!
This stuff absolutely interests me to no end! Greetings from the USA!🇬🇧🇺🇲
I trained with the Gurkhas and I emphasise trained with these blokes and I would not want to face them!
Im an American Marine. I firmly believe the Ghurkas are the best light infantey in the world.
Great chaps, back in the eighties had the honour of trading a pair of my service boots for a zippo lighter with the Gurka coat of arms, with one of those fierce wariors, incridible soldiers they are indeed, thanks for sharing.
I work with Gurkhas, Enough said.
Superb talk! Really interesting perspective on the Gurkha involvement at Delhi and beyond.
Very interesting my grandad always said that he was glad that they are on our side because they are “special”
These brave and noble people have been shat on by the British government and the army , do a video on that
General Fredrick Young, an Irishman, is buried in Deansgrange graveyard, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. This is the same graveyard as my grandfather, an Irishman born in India, who was also an officer in the Indian Army (10th Baluch regiment). On 1st November 2015, TheGurkha Regiment installed a dedication to General Fredrick Young's commenorating its founder.
Thanks for clearing up the story. I briefly met some Ghurka soldiers once, while recording the Military tattoo in Edinburgh. It made such an impression, I purchased a Ghurka knife. I just wish I had bought one that was of better quality!
A few Gurkhas were attached to my company during our jungle warfare training in Malaysia. Great guys, scrap with anyone, but they crapped everywhere. That aside, the treatment from the British government after their service is appalling and needs to be revised.
Nice work Chris. Gurka is my favorite regiment, I hope you follow up on hole of their story later.
Great interview/chat!!!!!!! Very informative and engaging.
Another great Friday, a few beers and a Redcoat video, marvellous.
This topic I was going to request to you or the history chap, thank you for your great work!!!!!!
Hindu Rao's house.the 2nd Gurkhas had published Reid's account of the battle.i read a copy 30 years ago ,which was in possession of one of my friends.great show!!
Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it
Story time ! Whilst training in Brecon Beacons, in Wales with my reserve unit we were taking a break drying off after a refreshing dip in the stream (Feb) I noticed two very smart and modern looking Army trucks approaching the facility. These trucks looked so much cooler than our big old things, and as they drew closer it started to look very strange indeed as the trucks seemed to have no drivers ! I called this out to my Sergeant, and for a moment I was convinced this was some kind of drone truck fleet! As I walked towards the path and got closer to the trucks, I suddenly saw this very broad, tough face with Asiatic eyes and features start to appear from below the window. We suddenly realized what was going on and stopped laughing with a start. That was my first in person sighting of a Gurkha.
Great work you done. But when you got time you should have a look on the British take over of Ceylon and read about Major Skinner
Totaly fascinating story. And an excellent knowlidgeable presentation..
Superb episode. Thanks for posting !
Top value blokes, impressive every time I saw them. You knew the difference when they were running Bisley.
the rgr is quite frankly my favourite regiment of the british army, every single Gurkha I have met I have always had left with a strong positive opinion which definitely can't be said for other regiments
Great video, and fascinating story. I always wondered what the story was on how we were lucky enough to have them on our side. Regards from Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks Keith 👍🏼
Proud to be a Nepalese and Gurkha
You should be proud 👍🏼
As an aside, I believe it was the Gurkhas(or maybe Turks), during the Korean war, would slip quetly into the Chinese fox holes at night and only kill one of the sleeping solders. The waking solder would find his dead comrade. This would scare him to the point that he could not sleep at night after that. Whole units had to be rotated out of the front lines.
I've always had great respect for my Gurkha brothers, a more terrific fighting spirit and loyalty you will never find!
Fascinating!
Interesting discussion . The East India Company by the 19th century were going broke . Oddly enough the American Boston Tea Party was against the cheap Tea being brought in by the E .I.C. What the company desperately wanted were new trade routes and goods . Tibet had one valuable commodity Mohair from the Angora Goat , The 2nd Anglo Nepalese war was again fought because of trade routes , this time the road to Burma.
Unknown , ignored , forgotten , was the first Indian rebellion of 1807 at Vellores , the hero of that conflict was another Ulsterman Robert " Rollo " Gillespie who was later killed by a Gurkha sharp shooter alongside Frederick Young.
History is fascinating , and the more one delves the better it is.
My grandad picked up a Gurka raiding party in the far East during ww2 and they had a sack with them at the front of the boat that smelled foul so he went for a look and a chat with the gurkas, the bag had half a dozen Japanese heads in it. They took it aboard ship and he didn't see them again.
You've gotta love the Gurkhas!
Thank you. Please give more in-depth coverage of Nepalese/British relationships.
I support the Gurkha veterans and am in awe of their history and their connection with Britain. Long may it continue.
Thank you sir❤❤❤❤
Fantastic show Chris! I'm REALLY looking forward to your battle for Delhi episode with real footage! (I also remember you saying something about Lucknow too am I right?)
Yes that’s right - I made it to Lucknow and will be posting the film in a few weeks 👍🏼
The British used the Gurkhas to police Asian countries were the British have a military presence and were it was a tough climate for British soldiers. Up until 1947 the Gurkhas were part of the British-Indian army, but with Indian Independence, the British recruited their own Gurkha Rifles and continue to do so, but numbers are declining. Today Muslims and Sikhs want their own regiments in the British army, but this has been refused.
Shame about the Sikhs tbh, you only have to look up Saragarhi to know how tenacious they can be in combat
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- I entirely agree the Sikhs would be fine but in this day and age you can't play favorites. No way would I trust a Muslim regiment given their record for terrorism i'd like to see them all deported.
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-Agreed. They’re not referred to as the sword arm of India for no reason. 21 men who fought 10,000 and died fighting to a man earn my undying respect.
My Grandfather was in 2/10 Goorkhas as the Subadar Major and got retired in the year 1924....He had fought in many theaters of War including Gallipoli in France.....
A fanatastic family history. Thanks for sharing, Sir.
Origin of the Gurkha British regiments?
The version I heard from WW 2 British soldiers, veterans, was, when the Gurkhas saw the determination and courage of the British soldiers, the persistence of the British troops which often turned defeat into victory or at least survival they admire the British.
After hostilities the British offered the Gurkhas pay for fighting for them instead of no pay for fighting against them.
For a people who loved to fight this offer was too good to refuse hence the British Gurkhas.
I was also told that during WW 2 Allied troops were told to always tie their boot laces as per British requirement.
This was because a Gurkha could at night touch your boots without you knowing and if the laces were tied anyway other than regular, assume you were an enemy which meant bad luck for you.
Very interesting 👍
Great story. Respect the Gurkhas.
my friend i hope you are fine; your lift eye is not ok. btw a very nice podcast and very informative.
Thanks a lot - yea I I’m great thanks a lot
I had the pleasure to be with the gurkhas who taught us jungle warfare and lived with us in Salamanca belize then again in chatham kent hard soldiers but absolute gentleman thanks to Joanna Lumley for fighting to secure what these amazing men soldiers deserve
I feel for loyal Gurkhas. European troops suspected their loyalty because they were also native soldiers. Even a small mishap or non-serious act could result in detonation of their camp. So they had to maintain extra discipline on top of their loyalty to their officers. Sadly, this is a price which every friend in such friendship pays to prove his integrity.
But suspicion of British troops was also justified. When so many other regiments were deserting and turning their rifles on their officers, they were quite justified in calling Gurkhas as native troops.
Good thing is that Gurkhas proved their worth after repulsing the attack.
Fantastic soldiers proud to have them as part of the British army
thank you so much🙏🙏🙏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵
Used to live next door to the ghurka barracks at church crookham
you should think of buyng a head guard for the boxng
Please cover the crimean war
Great friends of Democracy!
There is saying in Nepal
There is no single war that Britain or India has won,
where a fellow Gorkha/Nepali has not shed blood and died.
Gurkhas can be seen driving busses in Kent. No trouble on their busses.
0:05 respect❤️🇬🇧💯 0:13
Friendly and gives nice smiles, but Gurkhas no doubt will fight till the end with his Kukri when there is a war.
The Sipahi rebellion was mostly a rebellion of Mughal (muslim) loyalists in the north who looked not happy at the British Raj. Southern two-thirds of India were more or less peaceful.
Just one observation, what Josh describes as "racism" from the Gurkhas was nothing but a strong sense of racial identity, typical of any healthy people. For example, the Japanese (for centuries) called white people "saru" (monkeys) and many still do; yes, it is not nice, but that was/is their way of describing people who "were not like them". The ancient Greeks called all non-Greek peoples "barbaroi" (babblers = people who could not speak Greek), the Romans adopted it and called non-Roman people "barbarinus" (barbarians). Most Chinese still use the word "gwailou" (evil foreigner/devil-like person) to refer to non-Chinese persons. The only pathetic people who feel guilty about their history and language are today's Europeans.
There’s a difference between being a colonizer and being proud of your culture.
@sykeraid4944 you are historically illiterate, you bell end. Every nation in history tried colonialism, your ancestors were just bad at both business and war independently, don't try to pretend they weren't killers.
India also has them. A fairly large mercenary contingent is fighting alongside the Russians in the Ukraine so they sure get around.Excellent troops but certainly not just serving the British.
Hi. I’m
Interested on your source that there are Gurkhas fighting for the Russians. Please share 👍🏼
The trouble makers told the Hindu soldiers it was cow fat to seal the bullets and the Muslims it was pig's fat, the Gurkas didn't give a shite......Classic
What's with the shiners? Have you joined a fight club or a white collar boxing league or something?
Good one Chris
Sounds like Britain has a lot to thank Frederick Young for.
ghurkas were trusted to be brigaded without a british regiment with other indian troops
Thank God for the English Language.
Nepali British warriors
The Gurkhas were 'the enemy' against one of the regts of footguards in N. Wales. The Gurkhas crept in to their encampment at night and stole all their boots. Ace.
I did not come across ANYBODY in the Army who did not hold the Gurkhas in high regard.
If only all of Britain's immigrants were either Gurkhas or Sikhs.
Unfortunately it’s the people from the somaliland.....
You been bluen again?
Ghurkas now fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Joined Wagner according to some reports. Any 0:49 surprise? They are mercenaries after all.
I hadn’t heard about this…please send links and further detail.
They weren’t Gurkhas. Literally just 2-3 Nepalese who traveled to Russia by themselves to join Wagner
Yeha and government want to stop it
Hope you didn't fight a Gurkha yourself 😂
Was wondering that too!
Gurkha don't fight anyone in the garrisons, except when they ganged up and kicked a boy to death in Belize.
He really doesn’t know cause the British never reached Kathmandu at the of that war. Actually the British gave up cause they lost big numbers of soldiers
Love your work ,but ex her Majesty’s army ,u served ??
U Rsa ??
People leave Rsa .
Zulu war ,
Lived up north zululand as youth ,
Point uk ex Pat , no clue , didn’t walk agmonst
Ama Zulu 1971/79 ,
Gurka , u walked on road there+live
Honour ,our family served ,
We a
Duty ,if good enough .
Service ,
How many Vc ,Gurkhas ,lest we forget
U left uk ,go Rsa
Hope load sharing,cool buy you
i think you still not sure about Gurkhas history and talking what?
How to this day do you guys still talk about English colonization
as if it were ok? The Gurkas never should've been harassed in the first place.
Why not assign them to " Border Force " and actually mean it . ( Job done )
Keep your politics to yourself.
That would send the entitled opportunists “pissing and squealing” back to La Belle France!
nepal went poor when gurkha joit since 200
xhyaa gorkhali haru arka ko desh ko noker ho
Anything but elite...they are loyal and heavily micro-managed to the point the do not question orders... just act.
I don’t believe micro managing soldiers to blindly follow orders fits with current British tactical doctrine. What makes you say that?
Would love if you expanded on this
They arent an " elite unit" they are a basic infantry unit with a mythology attatched. " elite" units in the British army all feature " arduous courses" , Paras and Marine Comandos for instance, the Gurkhas only need to meet basic fitness tests there is no arduous course involved. The r3ason they still exist is not due to their soldiering skills but for reasons of politics and a good source of recruits that will accept conditions British citizens wont.
cock love to see you fiight 1 in hand to hand
Yeah true. They train away from the normal infantry on the other side with the guards, but not because they are elite just because they are distinct same as guards.
Snowflake. Most of what you said is wrong , apart from the elite. The Gurkhas are the most ferocious, disciplined, respectful, honourable, loyal and a special breed of warrior. Secondly the fitness tests are tough and at high altitude. I suggest watching the forces tv RUclips videos on the recruitment process , the Gurkhas are also entitled to full benefits every other servicemen or women. And it's the royal marines commandos . Proud to have served with the Gurkhas for a short while. If a man says he's not afraid to die , he's either a lier or a Gurkha
found the cringe salty f****** para, get a life
Very good observation. I have been reading British military history for over 30 years and I arrived to the same conclusion. Another unit that could be considered as "elite" was the Rifle Brigade during the 19th century. I remember reading a very nice history of the Rifle Brigade and it was very clear that riflemen were years ahead of the rest of the British army in training, skills and attitude. They were thinking soldiers, not robots who only knew to fight in close order.
I served with the Gurkhas as part of 5th infantry Brigade, they are reasonable soldiers but no better than any good British regiment. Due to their rights to stay in the UK and full pension entitlement they are not worth maintaining as a UK army regiment due to the expense. Retired Gurkha soldiers returned home taking their pensions which made them very important to the local economy. This is now destroyed as they opt to stay in the UK and bring their relatives over as well. So, effectively destroying the local economy in their home country and now burdening the UK with families where certain individuals find it difficult adapting to life in the UK.
The Gurkhas regiments no longer have a place in the British army due to their expense and social issues, so should be disbanded. There is an issue that our youth don't want to serve in our military as recruitment massively fails. We are in crisis in all Western armies over recruitment today, that is the main reason why armies have got smaller in the last 50 years. But the Gurkha regiments cannot be justified, like the Paras etc.
Now I don't know how true this is..
But I heard a story of when the British were fighting in the Indian mutany, there was an instance where 2 Brit officers didn't run, long story short gurkas have been our foreign legion ever since..
Is that how it was..??
21:15
aya gurkhali !
the gurkhas are coming !
nice how you managed to splice that in
(although i've seen it stated as
"the gurkhas are upon you"
no ambiguity there)
Aayo Gorkhali*
If someone or something that is maybe considered to the elite or dominant/alpha in anything that has been set to mind.
These most nice good mannered, loving and historical smart as fuck homeless of the homeless worries don't get the respect that anyone one this planet could ever ever try to replicate.
A beautiful cacausian lady from the uk had to put her best foot forward for These unseen special groups of worries.
With out them constantly alway in the back ground.
England would not be where it is in the financial world and world changing decisions.
Britain and Western countries didn't colonize India and China. Both countries were already colonized. The Mughals in India and the Qing in China. India was never one country. When the Brits left, they left a great rail system, a functioning civil service and a democracy. In China, the empire fell. However, in the 1940's, the West turned their back on Chiang KaiShek, which led to the murderous and brutal commies taking over, with 70 million dead. . We still have to deal with those a%%holes today. China is still colonized, because communism is a Western doctrine, no matter how they try to spin it. Never, feel guilty. The Europeans ended slavery on a global scale. We freely shared our technological advancements.
You've gotta love the Gurkhas!