Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day 2025
Today we remember the brave soldiers who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Each year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we observe a silence to remember those who have suffered or lost their lives during war or conflict.
As we remember the fallen, let us not forget the Gurkhas.
Through the decades, roughly 19,000 Gurkha soldiers have died in the many wars they’ve fought at Britain’s side. It is often said that, if there were a minute’s silence for every Gurkha casualty, we would need to be silent for a whole month.
Sir Ralph Turner MC, a Gurkha officer during this time, gave the soldiers their reputation from his quote:
“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends thank you”.
Our debt of honour
Many thousands of Gurkhas were wounded in their service and returned to a life of hardship in Nepal, living in poverty-stricken communities in a country at constant risk of earthquakes and monsoon flooding. They depend on the financial and medical aid they receive from The Gurkha Welfare Trust for their survival.
As we commemorate another Remembrance, now is the time to stand by these gallant veterans, many in their eighties and nineties, who want nothing more than to live in their homeland with security and dignity.
A veterans story
For over 50 years we have been supporting Gurkha veterans, their widows and communities in Nepal. Riflemen Balbahadur Sunuwar, veteran of the 10th Gurkha Rifles, is one of the thousands of Gurkhas who rely on the financial and medical aid we provide for their survival.
Balbahadur Sunuwar, a former rifleman who served in Malaysia, is now 88 years old recalls his early days in the Army.
“When I was in Malaysia, I had to practice gun firing for the whole day, using many guns. The loud sounds might have affected my ears.” His service, however, was short-lived as illness forced him to return home.
In 2017, Bal Bahadur became seriously ill, and he was taken to Kathmandu where a CT scan diagnosed tuberculosis. He underwent two years of treatment with the support of GWT and thankfully made a good recovery.
Today, as Balbahadur ages, our staff are dedicated to supporting Balbahadur’s medical needs, as he suffers from knee pain, high blood pressure, asthma, and hearing loss in both ears.
Despite these health challenges, Bal Bahadur enjoys a simple daily routine. He goes for short strolls in the morning and evening, loves reading the Bible, and watching football on television.
Bal Bahadur’s family relayed their thanks for the services he receives from The Gurkha Welfare Trust, including medicines, vaccines, and home visits, giving him peace of mind that all his medical needs are taken care of.