One of my common questions while I meet Gurkha veterans is, how old were they when they were recruited, and when I know their age of recruitment, it not only surprises me but also makes me wonder what and how did they feel when being away from their family at such a young age? But as I keep on talking to them and I know more about them, I find they have always been happy and proud of being the army from young and learning so many things and they were later able to use that knowledge and also contribute to society when needed. Likewise sapper Dhir Bahadhur Gurung of Queen's Gurkha Engineers was recruited at the young age... ... of 14.5 years as a 'boy' in 1960 and arrived Hong Kong in 1966, after spending times in Malaysia as well as in confrontation in Borneo in 1963.
He proudly showed me the badge of his regiment with 2 khukuris ensign with grenade & a scroll inscribed 'UBIQUE', of which I asked the meaning. He replied me that it means 'everywhere' and that's what as an engineer had to do; from building bridges, general construction to constructing roads, fences, buildings and also water supply. He still remembers his young days at Perowne Barracks at Tai Lam including the construction of roads around Kowloon as well as his days while going around Temple Street, where he and his fellow Gurkha colleagues were praised by locals for protecting them. At present, he enjoys his stay here and thinks that most of the Gurkhas are not only fierce fighters but also peacemakers and builders. Plus he encourages lucky young generation of Gurkhas in HK to study well and achieve better for themselves, family & society!
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Gurung Dhiraj- Grandson of a Gurkha trying to learn and share the history of Gurkhas in Hong Kong. Archives
June 2018
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