'A proud day'  

Early autumn sun drenched the parade ground at Nuneaton's Bramcote Barracks as the 50th anniversary of the Queens Gurkha Signals was honoured by a very special visit. The Princess Royal was guest of honour at a cap-badging ceremony and a reformation parade of 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron yesterday. She attended in her capacity as colonel-in-chief of the Royal Corps of Signals and the parade included around 400 officers and soldiers. The 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron, which was disbanded in 1997 with the hand-over of Hong Kong to China, was also reformed at the parade. The whole event marked the 50th anniversary of the capbadging ceremony of 1954, in Kuala Lumpur, when the Royal Corps of Signals cap-badge was replaced by the present badge. The date has since been celebrated as the regimental birthday. And, in the light of recent controversy surrounding difficulties faced by former Gurkha soldiers in gaining British citizen-ship, Princess Anne paid significant tribute to the bravery and loyalty of the regiment. She told them: "I am proud, as your colonel-in-chief, to bring you greetings from Her Majesty the Queen, congratulations and thanks. "Today is a proud day. It gives me great pleasure to be with you to celebrate this significant event in the history of the Queen's Gurkha Signals. "Fifty years may not seem long by some people's standards but you have already seen service in Malaya, Brunei, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Falklands and, most recently, in Iraq. "You have proved your military abilities in the most testing of circumstances. I take great pride in your achievements." Brigadier SMA Lee, OBE, Colonel of the regiment, said: "Today is a celebration of the achievements of Queen's Gurkha Signals over the last 50 years. "It is a day of emotion, of reunion, of recollections, mostly happy, some inevitably sad. Above all it is, indeed, a proud day." The Evening Telegraph reported this week how Warwickshire Country Council had unanimously backed a motion from Nuneaton councillor Alan Farnell to grant residential status in the UK to former Gurkha soldiers. The motion was tabled and proposed by the Conservative leader after he discovered that Gurkha families still living in Nuneaton are threatened with deportation - despite some having British wives and British-born children. Cllr Farnell expressed outrage that former Gurkha soldiers, many of whom had been based at Bramcote Barracks, had been granted the freedom of Nuneaton and Bedworth but not the right to be British. After completing their service Gurkha soldiers are required to return to Nepal and then encounter difficulty coming back and gaining citizenship.

LONDON (AFP) - Britain has extended full citizenship rights to Gurkha soldiers from Nepal who serve in the British armed forces, Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

"The Gurkhas have served this country with great skill, courage and dignity during some of the most testing times in our history," Blair said.

"They have made an enormous contribution not just to our armed forces but to the life of this country, and it is important their commitment and sacrifice is recognised," he said.

Gurkhas and their supporters have been trying for three years to publicly shame the British government with the charge it treats these soldiers as good enough to die for Britain, but not good enough to become citizens.

The announcement that most Gurkha soldiers have won the right to become British citizens follows an 18-month review by Britain's Home Office and the Foreign Office.

Gurkhas said they could not wholeheartedly welcome the move because the new provision will apply only to those who were discharged from the forces after July 1, 1997, meaning that around 100 of the estimated 400 Gurkhas currently resident in Britain will not be eligible.

Gurkhas have served in the British army since 1815, with 3,600 now serving in Britain and overseas, but very few had been granted the right to British citizenship.

Most Gurkhas return to Nepal -- which is currently in the midst of a Maoist insurgency -- at the end of their service.

Major Tikendradal Dewan, chairman of the Brigade of Gurkhas Welfare Society, said: "This is extremely good news in a way but it is not a 100 percent celebration because of the cut-off date."

"It's difficult to rejoice at the news when we know that something like a quarter of the guys will not benefit from it. What will happen to them? Will they be deported?" he asked.

The Home Office said changes would be introduced to the immigration rules within the next few weeks, introducing a new procedure for former Gurkhas to smooth their way into British society.

Gurkhas who have served more than four years will be able to apply for entry clearance from Nepal or Britain after discharge.

Although approval will not be automatic, most are expected to be granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain and then to apply for citizenship after 12 months.

Many ex-Gurkhas who have already applied for citizenship have seen their cases left in limbo over the past two years while they waited for the review to be completed.

Major Dewan said their uncertain immigration status meant that they were often unable to find suitable jobs or return to Nepal to visit relatives.

Most Gurkhas retire after 15 years service in their mid-30s, he said. Because of the shortage of work in their impoverished homeland and their inability to settle in Britain, many seek a second career overseas, often finding security work in troublespots like Iraq.

Home Secretary David Blunkett paid tribute to the Gurkhas' "unquestioning loyalty".

"In battle, they have distinguished themselves as brave and skilful soldiers in all conditions and all terrains," he said.

"Their 13 Victoria Crosses (Britain's highest military honour) and numerous other bravery awards speak for themselves."

"I am very keen to ensure that we recognise their role in the history of our country and the part they have played in protecting us," Blunkett said.

"This is why we have put together the best possible package to enable discharged Gurkhas to apply for settlement and citizenship," he said. "I hope that the decision I have made today will make our gratitude clear."

Thousands of Gurkhas are serving or have served recently with British forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. Still more have served in past wars, including World War I and World War II.

An estimated 43,000 Gurkhas were killed or wounded in action in the two world wars.

Gurkha Citizenship Campaign

"It is an outrage they are being treated this way. If any group of people qualify for citizenship it is surely the Gurkhas and their families."

Peter Carroll, Daily Express, 27 August

"Gurkha soldiers who have fought for Britain should not have to fight for citizenship as well. The Gurkhas should be granted British citizenship as a right of service."

Delight at Gurkha Success

Lib Dem Campaigner Peter Carroll has reacted with delight to the news that retired Gurkha soldiers are to be allowed to apply for British citizenship. Peter was a leading figure in the lengthy and high profile campaign that saw the issue reach the national press, national radio and TV, the floor of the House of Commons, the national Lib Dem conference at Bournemouth and 10 Downing Street.

The full story "Delight at urkha Success"G

The Daily Express Campaign

The Daily Express have strongly supported the campaign for citizenship for Gurkhas. In early September they ran a text poll asking for readers opinions on whether Gurkhas should be offered citizenship, and with over 16,000 votes polled, 99% of respondents agreed.

The Express have also launched a petition in their newspaper calling on the Government to reconsider its position. Whether you support their "in paper" petition on our online petition, the result will be the same - increased pressure on the Government to give fair rights to soldiers prepared to serve our country with honour.

Peter Carroll, as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe where the majority of UK Gurkhas are based, was approached for support by the Gurkha campaign group and has since worked to help promote their campaign. This page gives some examples of that, and more reasons to support the campaign - giving fair citizenship rights to Gurkhas.

This campaign has received backing from members of all parties. The Liberal Democrats strongly back the Gurkhas position. Anne Widdicombe (MP for Maidstone and Weald) for the Conservatives has backed fair rights in Parliament. Michael Howard as Conservative leader (and MP for many Gurkhas in Folkestone and Hythe!) has amazingly come out against. Labour have made no moves on this issue over the last seven years, but have now promised they are conducting a review which will report in the next few months.

Daily Express Leader - 2 September

The Gurkhas, who have fought so loyally and bravely for Britain, shouldn't have to take to the streets fighting for British citizenship.

Why, when the Government lets so many people to whom we owe nothing settle here, does it deny the Gurkhas?

These superb soldiers, who put their lives on the line for us, should be topping the list. Indeed, we should be proud to have them as British citizens.

Gurkhas, many of whom have won the Victoria Cross defending a country which is not their own, have earned an automatic right to live here.

Time and again they have come to our aid. In 1940, when Britain stood alone against Germany, the came on side. They have never deserted us when we needed them but now we are betraying them.

If the Gurkhas are good enough to die for us, they should be good enough to be given a British passport.

About the Gurkhas

"For over 180 years the Gurkhas have helped to fight Britain's wars and keep the peace. They have won 13 Victoria Crosses and served in most of the major conflicts of the 20th Century."

"If there was a minute's silence for every Gurkha casualty from World War 2 alone, we would have to keep quiet for two weeks."

Source: Gurkha Welfare Trust

The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Victoria Cross Citations of Gurkhas

About the Campaign

The return of Gurkhas to Nepal following the end of their service is governed by the "Tripartite Agreement" dating from 1947. This states:

"Gurkhas are enlisted as Nepalese citizens, they remain Nepalese citizens throughout their service and they are discharged in Nepal at the end of their service."

Many people, including ex-Gurkhas, feel that this is a poor reward for at least 15 years service in the British Army. They believe that it is only fair that at the conclusion of their service, it should be the right of a Gurkha to stay as a citizen, if they choose, in the UK.

The numbers involved are small - only 230 Gurkha's were enlisted to the British Army in 2003 for instance.

The Liberal Democrats are strongly backing the Gurkhas position that they should, if they wish, at the end of their service be allowed to stay, as citizens, in this country. The campaign has been growing for years, and the Liberal Democrats have consistently supported their claim for citizenship.