Gurkha Engineers in Maidstone

[Barke02]

Hi Planeteers,

Thought I'd just post up a couple of photos of a recently unveiled statue to honour the Gurkha engineers in particular, but also the contribution the Nepalese community has played in the local area as a whole.

Maidstone in Kent is home to the 69th Gurkha Field Squadron and the 70th Gurkha Field Support Squadron of the 36th Field Engineer Regiment, and to show the town's appreciation the local shopkeepers and members of the public raised £15,000 to have a statue erected in the courtyard of the town museum.

The sculptor is Mary Cox, and before you say it..... yes, should have asked one of us to do it! but nevermind, just enjoy..

Cheers,
Jon.

 

[Barke02]

...a few more including the inspection by the Mayoress of Maidstone. The town museum is the 15Cth building on the right. Notice in the last photo a Sergeant on loan from the Gurkha Rifles (with black Sgt's stripes, far left). Also notice the kukri's.

 

[Barke02]

...and the last few showing the statue posed with an SA-80..(what scale is that do you think...1/4th?) and the wives gathered in their colourful saris.

Cheers,
Jon.

 

[housecarl]

Thank you Joanna Lumley, they served and more than deserve citizenship.
“Aayo Gurkhali”
Carl.

 

[tonydawe]

Agreed. Good to see Britain is finally paying proper recognition to these brave and humble men who have served with such distinction and loyalty over so many decades.