The incredible support of Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ryding
Following the success of our recent concert in Leyburn, we would like to recognise the dedication and hard work of local supporter Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ryding. Keith’s contribution to the Gurkha community both in Nepal and the UK extends far beyond his active service: his tireless efforts in fundraising and advocacy have inspired us for over 60 years.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust was officially founded in 1969, but Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ryding’s association with Gurkha welfare started earlier than that.
Captain Keith Ryding and Major John Cross ready to board a plane for parachute training in Malaya in 1967.
Keith’s association with the Gurkhas began in the 1960s, when he was posted to the Gurkha Signals. He quickly became known for his leadership skills and his ability to connect with his Gurkha soldiers. He served alongside them in several operations, including the Borneo Confrontation and the Malayan Emergency.
During his time with the Gurkhas, Ryding witnessed firsthand the incredible bravery and resilience of Gurkhas. He often spoke of their unwavering loyalty and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their comrades and their country. He was particularly impressed by their ability to adapt to any situation, no matter how difficult.
The end of service for many
“The end of Borneo Confrontation in 1966 triggered mass redundancies throughout the Brigade of Gurkhas, which reduced in size by about 50%, and many excellent soldiers were unwillingly sent back to Nepal. Selecting men for redundancy, who had been close comrades in Borneo, was an agonising task.”
“The future welfare of redundant men caused great concern as most of them would have insufficient service to qualify for a pension, and I was therefore very pleased when the Commanding Officer (Able Dacre) returned from a meeting with the Major General Brigade of Gurkhas and told me about the launch of the Gurkha Welfare Appeal.”
Support on the ground in Nepal
“My next appointment was in Nepal where one of my responsibilities was the welfare of pensioners in the east of the country. We processed redundant soldiers as they came through and many of them made it quite clear that they believed they were being badly treated.”
“In those pre GWT days, I had a small pot of money to help Service Pensioners who had suffered a disaster and it was quite common for an old soldier to arrive in my office to ask for help because his house, his family and all his land had been lost as a result of a landslide.
“More often than not his only possessions were the shorts he was wearing. The fund I held was so pitifully small that the most I could give him was about £40 to help him re-start his life, and this experience of abject poverty really brought home to me the desperate need for the establishment of a proper system of welfare. ”
“In response to this need, the establishment of Area Welfare Centres began and I trekked (no roads at that time) to monitor their progress. Each Welfare Centre was staffed by an Area Welfare Officer, an assistant and a medical pack holder.”
Continued support back in the UK
Chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the Gurkha Welfare Trust Col Keith Ryding, and Chairman of Sherwoods Alasdair MacConachie prepare for the annual fundraising concert by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Keith’s support continued long after his return to the UK where he took on the role of Chairman of the Yorkshire Branch of The Gurkha Welfare Trust over 20 years ago. During this time Keith not only launched the annual concert with The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, he has fundraised tirelessly, and raised over £600,000 to support Gurkha veterans, their families and communities in Nepal.
As a mark of respect and appreciation for Keith’s continued support, the GWT Team in Nepal have named one of their fleet of 4×4 vehicles in honour of him.
