Thread: Gurkhas-related discussions / 16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq

    
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

7:45:57 PM
Santosh

Posts: 0

16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq
I am a 75 year old ex Royal Marine. I travel the world alone to seek out the lost, forgotten and remote war graves and memorials. In 2003 I made a promise whilst in Iraq. I promised to visit the home village of RIT BAHADUR RAI. It appeard that all that was left of his memory was his name on The Basra Cremation Memorial, Iraq. The British Ministry Of Defense had no record of him. The British Gurkhas in Nepal did not hold his records and The Indian Army did not even reply
to my enquiries. None could (or would) give me the location of the village I sought - GARIGAON. After almost five years and two visits to Nepal the final advice from 'them' was for me to attend one of the exisitnf Gurkha memorials in the UK. THE EASY WAY OUT.
I was angry. Now I know the full story of RIT BAHADUR RAI. I know the regiment he served in, the name of his parents and the fact that he died of wounds in July 1941. Once again I am returning to Nepal. On the 11th November 2009 I will be playing my pipes in tribute to RIT BAHADUR RAI and all Gurkhas who have no known resting place. I see no point in the dignitaries standing once a year to mumble "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" when they can not be bothered to help me ensure that one of 'them' will be remebered. GARIGAON ?????

Bill Jenkins
Liverpool




    
Thursday, August 13, 2009

6:34:33 PM
siddant

Posts: 0

Re: 16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq

Dear Mr Jenkins,

First of all I would like to salute you for your strong dedication towards giving a proper memorial to our brave soldiers. May you find success in this endeavour.

To the best of my knowledge, GairiGaun: In the Nepali language Gairi means shallow and Gaun meaning village. Therefore any area of a particular village with a shallow land is referred to as Gairi Gaun. Just as DandeGaun implies hilly areas of that village. It is not my intention to confuse you or discourage you in any way, but just wanted to share my two cents. Unless there really is a GairiGaun named after a particular village. I wish our Nepali viewers could respond to Mr Jenkins. Once again Good Luck and many Thanks.
    
Wednesday, September 02, 2009

10:54:01 AM
poppypiper

Posts: 0

Re: 16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq

Siddant.

Thanks for information.  I know it will not be easy but worth doing.  There is a GARIGAON on the map near OKALDHUNGA but I have heard nothing from there yet.  Still time.

Bill

Liverpool

UK
    
Sunday, May 30, 2010

10:56:33 AM
Nigel

Posts: 0

Re: 16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq
Bless you Bill

I wish you all the luck in the world in your fight to honour this brave young Gurkha who was killed all those years ago.

Nigel
    
Thursday, June 03, 2010

5:39:22 AM
Schell009@kpnmail.nl

Posts: 0

Re: 16 yr old Gurkha killed in Iraq

I fully agree here. To my opinion very man counts. No matter which theatre of war he served in or which generation of soldier he was. All too often great men, in a previous post referred to as "them", are being forgotten.

Every once a year when politicians "meet" at the cenotaph there indeed is the murmer of "Lest we forget" etc. When however it comes to help in identifying a KIA, you would find very little to no reply at all  from these "officials".

Bill, have you also contacted the British Legion concerning this information?

I find that when walking this road alone there is very little to be expected in the shape of assistance. Being able to show "back up" from an organisation such as the British Legion, might take away some of the brick walls encountered otherwise.

Just a suggestion.

Wish I could help in any other way. ( I too am just another individual walking the same path).

Regards,

René A.M. Schell

Ex - Royal Netherlands Air Force 10LB Sqn / 221 Sqn