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"End of a Long Journey" contd ...........
GASC/ GTR/ & 2/7GR SERVICE
We re-joined the 28 Company in Hong Kong, to where it had recently moved from Malaya. The Whitfield Barracks was our new home. For the first time, we were accommodated with veterans of the Malaya Emergency. One of them was decorated with a Distinguished Conduct Medal. The Senior QGO was Captain Jarnabahadur Rai, a fearsome personality with unchallenged authority. 0214 Motiparsad Ale and I received our first stripe in the same routine order. 30 Company was well ahead of us in the Junior NCOs promotions. Unlike some of my contemporaries, I missed the posting to 30 Company, which moved to UK as part of the 51 Gurkha Infantry Brigade. 28 Company thrived in Hong Kong particularly in the sporting field. We easily beat other Hong Kong and Kowloon Garrison minor units. Under the command of Major DA Brown, we had no choice but to win every competition. My athletic days came to an abrupt end when my motorcycle collided with a Landrover during a Colony Exercise in 1963. Convalescing in the BMH Mt Kellet for a fractured leg, I was able to reflect on life.
I was promoted to Sergeant in 1968, to Lieutenant (QGO) in 1971 and to Captain (QGO) in 1977. Even that was considered very quick promotion by GASC/GTR standards at the time. I was with 28 Squadron until 1971. My Senior QGO tour was a happy one in 31 Squadron with Major WG Osmond during the period 1979 to 80. Soon after, I was posted to the Training Coordinating Cell of the Training Depot the Brigade of Gurkhas (TDBG). That duty tour, under the watchful eye of Lt Col Lalbahadur Pun MC, gave me an excellent opportunity to expand my experience in the Brigade. In November 1981, by the personal effort of Commander GTR, Lt Col PEB Daniel, I was appointed Captain (GCO). This career plan for me was first thought of and initiated by the previous Commander and Gurkha Major. On taking up the new rank, I was posted to 2/7GR initially in the MTO post. Needless to mention, this was the crowning point of my career. The reward did not come without much added responsibility and personal challenges. Having successfully completed an All Arms Combat Commanders course in 1984, I had an opportunity in 2/7GR to command a Rifle Company, participating in many border guard commitments and major exercises. The most memorable aspect of this appointment was the overseas exercise, which my Company took part in New Zealand. Thus having gained a wider insight in regards to the Brigade, I was able to get a better perspective view of the Regiment. To this day, I strongly feel that GTR personnel always maintained a stronger sense of discipline, traditional value and greater dedication to work than their counterparts in the Brigade. The GTR drivers had no doubt the longest and most irregular working hours in Hong Kong. They were seldom entirely free from transport commitments during weekends and it was not possible to allow them time off in lieu of the weekend duties. Every year, both Squadrons imposed on themselves to organize huge fairs, which were open to the public and soon became Brigade events. The aim of the fair was to raise funds for the squadron welfare expenditure and to make substantial donations to local charities and to the Brigade Welfare Fund. The popular Nepali saying, “Hard work never kills” has complimented QOGLR very well. It is therefore not surprising that the Regiment continues to succeed so well in any new theatre of operations. It proves that how positive professional attitude is so more enduring than material advantage.
BEGINNING OF END
I returned to GTR in the end of 1986 after 2/7GR disbanded. I was given the unique job of running the Gurkha MT School, followed by the appointment of Regimental Operations Major. The later appointment was dual-hatted as OC HQ Squadron GRU. I enjoyed both appointments enormously and I would like to extend my appreciation to the then Commanders GTR. One of them was instrumental for the much-coveted MBE that was awarded to me. I was extremely lucky that Her Majesty the Queen personally graced the investiture in Buckingham Palace. My wife, Bhimkumari and our daughters were able to attend the ceremony. We were overwhelmed by the hospitality, when many Regimental Officers and their ladies traveled a long way to London, to treat us to a sumptuous party at a Nepalese restaurant. We shall always cherish the personal hospitality, during the same visit, of the Colonel of Regiment, Major General RM Llewellyn, the late Brigadier PI Attack, my mentor, Lt Col AL Bridger and Lt Col WG Osmond. I was serving in TDBG when I retired from the army in August 1992. My next service began in September the same year with the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) in the appointment of the GRU Logistic & Finance Officer. The service in GRU is a whole new chapter in this story, which is already becoming too long for its inclusion. Briefly, the ex QOGTR in GRU is a happy, professional lot under Captain Jainarayan Rai. Undoubtedly, they were ecstatic to see the Association Members, including Lt Cols Massey, Turner, Skipper, McAllister and Green in 2000, when the group visited Brunei on a holiday tour. Like all good things, my long journey ends in March 2002, when I finish my service with GRU.
FAME AND FORTUNE
Lastly, if you are still reading, I would like to take you back to the beginning of the story when the village elders blessed me to return with fame and fortune. Did I achieve their blessing? The honest answer would be a positive yes to those very generations of happy hardworking villagers, whose number is albeit fast dwindling. Every time, I returned on leave they were so eager to know how I was doing. Their affection made me walk up the hills on every leave to meet them, to listen to their stories and share their lives. Many of them had survived wars in Lahur and famines and endemic disease at home. To my parents and to those simple people, I endured the challenges of life and to them I am their fame and fortune. However, the same answer would not be well received by the new generations of people whose perception of life is seemingly burdened with materialistic considerations and ponderous ideas. What took me days to return on leave to my village now takes less than a few hours and such exposure to the outside world has brought about a different value judgment even among those in the hills. What is more alarming is that many would not hesitate to cook the proverbial goose that lays golden eggs. However for me life is difficult enough just to keep pace professionally with the speed of scientific development. In this volatile world, my wish is to seek safety in the simple conservative lifestyle that I have learnt during the service.
CONCLUSION
On reflection, I am happy about the decision I made in every aspect of my life and I would not hesitate to recommend the same to anyone. I served in GASC and GTR with pride and admire the progress QOGTR made. I now wish the QOGLR the same fame and fortune. Finally, I wish to thank all those Regimental Officers for their warm friendship and help that my family and I enjoyed. There are too many good names and familiar faces to mention here, but I shall forever cherish the time lived with them. We
will always look forward to meeting you in Nepal so that we can return the hospitality.
Jai QOGLR.
By Major (Retired) Balkrishna Rana MBE
Darasalam, Brunei
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