Sirmoor Sathies Last Report December 2024

1 2GR ASSOCIATION-UK (SIRMOOR SATHIES) – LAST ANNUAL REPORT DECEMBER 2024 1. BACKGROUND: Since its inception in April 1815 at Sirmoor State in India, the 2 ND King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles) has been one of the best Regiment in the Brigade of Gurkhas and remained loyally served the British Crown until 30 June 1994. The 2nd King Edward VII’S Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles) was disbanded on 30 June 1994 in Hong Kong. The unwavering loyalty and bravery during the 1857 Indian Mutiny the regiment was awarded the Queen’s Truncheon famously known as ‘Nishani Mai’ (QT) amongst Gurkhas. Even to this day, the Sirmoor Regiment Officers, Soldiers and Family proudly pay their respect to Nishani Mai (QT). The practice is now followed by the Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) since 1 July 1994. The 2004 changes in Gurkhas’ Terms and Condition of Service (GTACOS) allowed Gurkhas to resettle in the UK. Many 2GR Sirmooris settled in the UK with their families (Approx 3200 Members including 200+Widow) but some stayed in Nepal. The 2nd Gurkha Rifles Association-UK (Sirmoor Sathies) was officially formed in March 2014 at Aldershot, UK (unofficially formed in Sep 2005 by Lt Col Fraser and Maj (GCO) Lb Gurung. It was branched into three main groups: Sirmoor Club UK (Known as British officers’ club), Sirmoor Sathies UK (Sirmooris living in UK) and Sirmoor Club Nepal (Sirmooris living in Nepal). This brief Annual report is the last 2GR Sirmoor Sathies- UK report for the final 2GR Sirmoor Club Nepal magazine. 2. AIM: The 2GR Sirmoor Sathies’ aim is to keep alive the Regiment’s history, uniquely vibrant esprit-de-corps, ethos and camaraderie in amongst the three Sirmoor Rifle Associations’ (SRAS) members. This is achieved by annually celebrating unique battle honours, ie Delhi Day (1857), Tigris (1916), and Tamandu (1943) on the 14 September each year or on the nearest weekend mainly to pay respect to the Queen’s Truncheon at Regiments Annual Reunion Day. The 167 th Delhi Day celebrations 2024 with QT was a great success. The Chief guest was Lt General Sir Peter Duffell KCB CBE MC. More than 900 + Sirmooris, guests, senior officers and spouses attended and celebrated Delhi Day, Tigris and Tamandu battle honours on Saturday, 14 September 2024 at 2RGR Camp, Shorncliffe Barracks, Kent. This was our last Delhi Day to hurray QT and was largely subsidised by the last SRA Trust Fund of £31,266 and fromMembers contribution £21,241. Total income £52,507 and DDay Expenditure £51,183. The balance Fund as at 24 Nov 2024 is 1324:00p which will be kept at Central Fund at Sathis Account for the future QT Team. The SRA Trust was closed on 30 June 2024 . The 2GR Sirmoor Sathies Annual celebrations at such a large scale will not take place due to the closure of the SRA trust. The future Annual Delhi Days will be celebrated as usual in 4 Different Locations, North Sirmooris at North York, Midland at Nuneaton, East Midland at Colchester and Central celebration at Aldershot Empire Hall each year on a self-funded basis. 3. New 2GR Sirmoor Sathies-UK Committee Members: The Delhi Day 2024 post meeting was held on 5 Oct 2024 and Chief Guest was Colonel William Shuttlewood OBE, Chairman SCUK. It was decided to form a small central committee which will run 2GR Sirmoor Sathies-UK Dehi Day from 2025 onwards. The Association name and Bank details has remained same. The small central Committee will run Delhi Day centrally each year at Aldershot Empire Hall to keep flying our 2GR Flag until the last Day of Sirmooris. The 2GR Sirmoor Sathis-UK new Central committee are listed below. The Senior officers and Members those who attend DDay please Contact and make a payment one month before the actual Delhi Day each year: • Major (GCO) Lalbahadur Gurung – Founder Chair. • Captain Raju Gurung – Event Coordinator. • Lt Muktijung Gurung – Asst Event Coordinator. • Lt Kusang Gurung – Asst Event Coordinator. Chairman Sirmoor Sathies-UK