Posted on 10/05/2007 8:15:22 AM PDT by Rikstir
It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a soldier serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed and two others injured yesterday, Thursday 4 October 2007, in southern Afghanistan.
Ministry of Defence
Elements of the battalion were returning to their base at Kandahar airfield after taking part in Operation PALK WAHEL, when a vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion approximately 30 km west of Kandahar.
The casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the ISAF medical facility at Camp Bastion. Sadly one of the soldiers was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The other two soldiers are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
I have had the honour of serving alongside Ghurkas on a couple of occassions and found them excellent soldiers. On my first encounter I was a fairly young squaddie and asked them why they fought for Britain, a country foreign to them and thousnads of miles away. They told me that in their lands they were feared by all and undefeated in war. When they ecountered British troops they were surprised to find that they fought as hard and as selflessly as Ghurkas do. The British troops were equally impressed with their foe and from this mutual respect came their allegiance to the crown.
Splendid chaps and a sad loss.
it seems the chap was the platoon commander of Prince William during his Sandhurst training. Was a major working with the Ghurkas in Afghanistan.
Sad loss. Promising soldier. cheers for the posts guys.
FYI/Don’t forget Gurkha Regiments in the Brit Army are Brit officered, along with QGOs. Many say that only the best go to officer Gurkha Regts.
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