
I had the great honour to serve alongside the Great Gurkha Battalions when I was in Hong Kong for two years; watching our Gurkhas destroy all comers on the Maclehose Trail annually and achieving great things militarily and on the sports field. My contribution was at volleyball and as a soccer referee where I had the honour to be on the Football League and occasionally on TV when the match was televised; my best memories of course were for the Nepal Cup and the wonderful post match, game over get togethers over a decent Gurkha Curry and a cooling refreshment or two. I remember on my Aikido Instructors course attempting to get a curry with bones in but I was referred to the western food side (of course, later as a QM I enjoyed Aloo Dam and curries to my hearts content when the Gurkha Transport Squadron appeared in Kosovo to take over from my chefs!)
I have always had the deepest respect for Gurkhas and had the exceptional experience of working with Major Tekbahadur Gurung MBE, 7 GR (Jai Seventh!) at 5 Airborne Brigade Logistic Battalion and I enjoyed a lovely time learning about Gurkha culture and an education second to none. Major Tek was the first Gurkha to go through officer training at RMAS and it was a pleasure to be in his company, humourous, exuding leadership, tough and yet one of the finest officers I have had the honour to serve with.
The reason for this article though is to mention a gentleman who commanded a Gurka Battalion in the Indian Army and fought at the Tennis Courts at Kohima. I met him in the late 80s when I did an E2 post and he was an RO there; what an amazing man who exuded leadership and knowledge. All us young men quickly established the deepest respect for him, a natural culimination of his humour, knowledge and leadership, knowing how to speak to and deal with young men and senior ranks alike. This gentleman was named Lt Col Ian Goad, known (only found out afterwards) as 'Gurkha Goad'. I found him a font of knowledge about many things, he had a sharp wit and could find a sharper tongue if things didnt please him but he was one of the most approachable, honest and decent officers I have ever met.
I found out that he had kept in touch with his Gurkha Batman from Command days, making sure all was well over in Nepal and stuff. My natural curiosity (which again assisted as a QM later in life) couldnt resist asking, on the grounds of being able to tell my grandchildren in the years to come - this predated the media we have now and I can now share it with whoever reads this. His answer was quite simple, 'He saved my life once' and on the few occasions I kept quiet and listened closely as he continued, 'A Japanese soldier was about to bayonet me and he stood in front of him to stop him and despatched him. I think that well worth acknowledging in a couple of ways annually'. One of the reasons for my silence was that I was quite choked up, the sand blowing into my eyes as I realised that Command and Leadership was exceptionally important and much different and wider than section, platoon and Company that I was used to. It taught me a great lesson and experience and I am proud to say I was able to fully subscribe to this as a Company 2IC and when I ran Command and Support Company in peace, on ops and at War.
May this exceptional and very brave Gurkha Rest In Peace, his memory lives among many, his deeds that he and his Battalion of Gurkhas, I still in awe of.