kukri

[davec2]

While watching the Pride of Britain awards the other night, there was a Gurkha acting sergeant being awarded for bravery ( for bravery read heroic and please forgive me for not remembering his name ) !!

I noticed in the small of his back, what looked like a magnificant and rather large, sheathed kukri, forgive my ignorance here but is that part of the regular uniform ?? or are they worn there by choice ??

I can remember meeting Gurkhas back in the early 60's but I was sure the kukri was at the side ??? is my memory that bad ???

Dave.

[David Tremain]

Dave, it's always been my impression that, like American Express, the Gurkhas "don't leave home without them". It's probably in Dress Regs somewhere. David

[Gurkha]

Dave,
yes it's part of the uniform. A gurkha is issued with two. One in a patent leather sheath for wear with No2's etc, the other in dull matt black finish for field use. Normally worn on rear of left hand hip. Gurkha (nepalese) officers tend to buy their own in a fancier scabbard.

Regards
Steve

[davec2]

Thanks gents,

It's reassuring to know that I have not completely lost it ! some might argue to the contrary though ??

Dave.

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by davec2

... and please forgive me for not remembering his name ...

Sgt. Dip Prasad Pun

It is all over he place when you Google for it.

[davec2]

Thanks Henk,

There are times when I just can't be bothered to use Google, as in this instance, it wasn't really academic ....... I had forgotten his name but remembering it would not have enhanced my question.

Dave.

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by davec2

Thanks Henk,

There are times when I just can't be bothered to use Google, as in this instance, it wasn't really academic ....... I had forgotten his name but remembering it would not have enhanced my question.

Dave.

Of course it was secondary to your question. But you seemed to worry a little bit about forgetting the name. And in the same time you made me curious because:
. I was not aware of those awards (being no briton);
. As I visited Nepal several times and know some thing of their culture, I was curious about the name (often ends in the name of the ethnic group or "caste");
. Having also visited Afghanistan in better years and still interested in what happens there.
Thus I Googled and as a by-product posted the sergeants name here.

[GregN]

A few years ago, when Prince Harry was outed by the British press in Afganistan, attached to his combat kit was issue kukri. I'm not sure if the regiment he was attached to was a Gurkha regiment or if some of his security troops were Gurkhas but it/they sure looked nasty.

Greg