"Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you"Sir Ralph Turner MC. May these words engraved on the memorial of the first Gurkha Victoria Cross winner Kulbir Thapa Magar, ring true to honour the living as much as the dead.
Unveiled on September 25 at Princes Garden, Aldershot, the town also home to the British Army, it was a proud moment for Nepalis in Britain and worldwide.
Commissioned by the Greater Rushmoore Nepalese Community’s Gurkha Memorial Project, this was made possible with many donors predominantly from local Gurkha communities.
The dedication of the team in realizing this project, fundraising amongst British Nepali individuals and organisations, demonstrate how important it was for so many to honour the Gurkha legacy this way. It was also about building future community relationships.
Veterans including children of other Gurkha Victoria Cross winners were also present.
By the statue, sculpted by artist Amy Goodman @AmySculptor, speeches were presented from Gurkha and local authority figures,and the Minister of Defence Peoples and Veterans Rt. Hon @LeoDochertyUK MP. They emphasised the special bond between Britain and Nepal for over 200 years.
The memorial statue is not Kulbir Thapa alone, but Kulbir with a wounded British soldier as blood brothers. To Gurkhas, their wives, widows and families, may Britain reciprocate the courage, bravery and compassion demonstrated by Kulbir Thapa Magar VC.
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