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G200 - SITREP 1
In 2015, Gurkhas will have served in the British Army for 200 years. This is a
significant achievement, which is characterised by excellence and sacrifice,
and is worthy of celebration. But as well as providing an opportunity for this,
the 200
th
Anniversary will also provide a platform from which we will be able
to reinforce the critical role that Gurkhas continue to play in the British
Army’s Order of Battle and to raise additional support for the outstanding
work done by the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT). With this in mind, it has been
agreed that the formal aim of the 200
th
Anniversary - which we are calling
Gurkha 200, or G200 for short - should be:
“To mark 200 years of Gurkha service to the Crown in a series of activities that en-
hance the Brigade's reputation, both nationally and internationally, in order to con-
tribute to the maintenance of the Brigade of Gurkhas in the Army's Order of Battle
and to enhance support for the GWT."
Objectives of G200:
• Provide an opportunity for BG personnel, both serving and retired, to cele-
brate 200 years of loyal service.
• Provide high profile opportunities to attract positive media coverage in or-
der to raise public awareness of the BG.
• Raise awareness of the GWT, reinforcing the link between it and the serving
BG, and provide a platform in order to launch a specific campaign for fund-
raising.
• Provide opportunities to host key people external to the BG in order to gain
their support for the BG and the work of the GWT.
G200 Planning so far
The G200 Committee, headed up by Colonel RGR reporting to the Council of
Gurkha Colonels, has coordinated a range of activities to support GWT fund
raising and BG exposure. These remain provisional and will not be finally con-
firmed until early next year. Although the serving Brigade has finite capacity
to support these events, resources are being carefully managed to achieve a
balance between GWT fund raising and Brigade exposure. The most high pro-
file events are likely to be:
•
Opening of the Chautara at the NMA
– 23 Sep 14. Though the newly built
Chautara was dedicated on 13 Sep 13, its official opening on 23 Sep 14 will
provide an ideal opportunity to launch our plans for the 200
th
Anniversary.
