Afghanistan blast kills British Gurkha

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Afghanistan blast kills British Gurkha
Soldier becomes third casualty among UK forces
in the country in less than a week

Peter Walker and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Sunday November 16 2008 09.29 GMT

A British Gurkha has been killed in a bomb attack in
southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said
today, the third death among UK forces in the country
in less than a week.

The soldier, of 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles,
was killed yesterday in the Musa Qala district of
Helmand province when the patrol vehicle in which he
was travelling was hit by an explosive device. His
identity has not yet been released.

Commander Paula Rowe, of Task Force Helmand, said:
"While there are no words to ease their loss, our
heartfelt sympathies go to his family, friends and
fellow soldiers at this difficult time."

The death brings the number of British services
personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations
began to 125.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/nov/16/gurkha-soldier-afghanistan-death

[Boudica the Lyoness]

1. Gurkha's are brave.

I can remember when I was a kid, my dad telling me what brave good soldiers the British Gurkha's were in WW2.

[entanglement]

2. As a reward, the Gurkha were paid 1/5th the pension of other British troops for the next 55 years

That was the 'reward' for their dedication, bravery and loyalty. It is tragic that young Gurkhas fought and died (and still do) in imperialist-engineered conflicts.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

3. I'll tell my dad that

I'm sure he's responsible for it and will clean the whole fucking mess up.

Edited to add this;

Gurkhas to enjoy full British Army pensions

After years of court battle, the British Gurkhas will finally enjoy full British Army pensions — nearly 200 years after they started serving in the British force.

According to report by British newspaper Daily Telegraph , the historic announcement will be made in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Gurkhas joined British Army in 1815, with 110,000 enlisted in World War II. They fought in the Falklands War, both Iraq invasions and are currently serving in Afghanistan as well.

Pensions for riflemen with 15 years' experience will increase by five folds -- from £1,200 to at least £6,600. Persons serving in senior ranks will get more than 7,000 pounds a year or considerably more depending on the time they have served.

The daily states, "The deal means that the highly-regarded troops will have incomes worth a considerable amount when they retire to their homeland".