Sirmooree Summer 2015

and the Durbar as a whole. He also voiced the thoughts of many in hoping

we would don our Regimental medals and meet again in future. After the

Sunset Ceremony and the National Anthems, followed by three rousing

cheers for the Sirmoor Rifles, the Bands marched off. The main programme

of the Durbar was over.

The following day, 30 March, there was a morning golf competition at Major

Rambahadur Gurung’s challenging and spectacular course on the outskirts of

the town. Unfortunately the players had to complete their rounds in steady

rain. Golf was followed by a delicious curry lunch in the Clubhouse, arranged

by the Sirmoor Trustees to thank those involved in setting up and running

the Durbar. Presentations were made to Major David Thomas and Major

Yambahadur Gurung as the chief architects of the Durbar as well as to

individual members of the Sirmoor Club Nepal Durbar Committee. Lastly,

prizes were awarded to the intrepid and still slightly damp winners of the

golf. The following day there was another lunch, when the Sirmoor Club

Nepal Committee thanked those who had helped set up and run the

excellent arrangements.

All the organised events of the Durbar itself were now over and people

dispersed back to their homes or headed off on post-Durbar activities such

as trekking or rafting. So much had happened during the previous few days

it was difficult to comprehend all that had gone on and its significance. As

Annabel Venning, a daughter of the Regiment, wrote later in her article for

The Daily Telegraph

, it was ‘an occasion that was as significant to me –

perhaps more so – as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the London Olympics and

a family reunion rolled into one’. Senior guests made it clear they

appreciated the considerable thought and detailed effort that had gone into

the planning and execution, and how privileged they felt to have been

invited. Most simply reflected on how remarkable it was that so many of us

had gathered together more than 20 years since the Regiment had merged

into the Royal Gurkha Rifles, to celebrate the proud history and continued

comradeship of the Sirmoor Rifles in such an enjoyable and memorable way.

NJHH

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