Sirmooree Summer 2015

The medal ceremony then took place. Field Marshal Chapple presented

Major Yambahadur Gurung with the British Empire Medal for his dedication

and energy in setting up the Gurkha Museum in Pokhara, just outside the

gates of the British Camp. Former Commandants and Gurkha Majors had

their Sirmoor Durbar medals pinned on their chests by the President and

Chairmen of the UK and Nepal Sirmoor Associations before they in turn

pinned medals on the men in their companies. Field Marshal Chapple, the

President and the two Chairmen presented medals to officers and soldiers

unable to be on parade and Lady Chapple, Lady Duffell and other ex-

Commandant’s wives gave medallions to the widows.

For the march past The Truncheon was placed in the hands of the oldest

Gurkha Officer on parade, 97-year old Captain Bhagtasing Pun MM, seated in

his wheelchair. (The oldest Sirmoori present was Naik Lalbahadur Gurung, at

101 years old). The parade turned to the right, stepped off by companies

and wheeled left and left again past the saluting dais, giving a smart eyes

right as they passed The Truncheon before wheeling again and marching off

parade. The Truncheon and the Band followed, and the splendid spectacle,

almost certainly the last 2

Goorkhas parade of any size in the Regiment’s

long and glorious history, was at an end.

Before lunch many went to the Museum, where Field Marshal Chapple

unveiled a replica of the ‘Lal Gate’. The original was built in Dehra Dun in

1915 to commemorate the Regiment’s first centenary and it was also a war

memorial. The location of its modern bicentennial replica has limited its size

and it has been decorated with the insignia of the Gurkha regiments instead

of listing the names of 2GR casualties, but it is otherwise an accurate

reproduction of the central archway of the original, including the impressive

bronze silhouette of King Edward VII.

The rest of the afternoon was spent socialising enjoyably in the central area

of the Gurkha camp around the

chautara

and in the shade of several large

trees. A welcome arch had been set up with some impressive artwork

depicting events in the Regiment’s history. Flags in company colours

indicated where canteens provided

tipan-tapan

bhat

and beer, and a large

tent had been put up for senior guests. The Truncheon was stationed to one

side to give individuals the opportunity to pay their respects as they would

have done in years past when it was in the Quarterguard. At intervals the

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