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Help...British Gurkha Death in Burma?

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

VIVinHERTS

VIVinHERTS Report 3 May 2006 18:23

The person I'm trying to find is Donald M Plenderleith born 1922 His Kokri (big curved sword) was sent home to his brother. Viv

Heather

Heather Report 3 May 2006 18:21

My dads gurkha sword (its really a big curved knife) is enclosed in a decorated leather cover and on either side of the cover are small pockets holding knives. Dad said that if you drew the sword from its cover then you had to draw blood (it was their belief!). He said he had seen Gurkhas cutting themselves to fulfil this if they withdrew the sword for any reason other than battle. He said they were the bravest, best soldiers he had ever seen.

VIVinHERTS

VIVinHERTS Report 3 May 2006 18:19

Heather, He must have been seconded. This is the Gurkha website I found www.army.mod*uk/brigade_of_gurkhas/index.htm (replace * with .) Viv

Heather

Heather Report 3 May 2006 18:18

From what I can remember from my Dad, they were first part of the Indian British Colonial army.

VIVinHERTS

VIVinHERTS Report 3 May 2006 18:11

They are part of the British Army apparently. I think the person I'm trying to find would have been part of the British Army Gurkhas. Trouble is I don't know his rank or anything else about him. Viv

Heather

Heather Report 3 May 2006 18:08

British? but the Gurkhas are all Nepalese, arent they? Or was he a seconded officer? Perhaps one of the military buffs will come on later and have some advice. I have my fathers gurhka sword and knives.

VIVinHERTS

VIVinHERTS Report 3 May 2006 18:07

Heather, Yes they do and I've already done that. Have also done CWG but no luck. I don't even know if he was on active service. Have been unable to find him in GRO deaths. Am a bit stumped now. He was British and apparently his Kokri (sword ) was sent home to my friends father (they were brothers). Viv

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 3 May 2006 18:04

Have you searched the Commonwealth War Graves site?

Heather

Heather Report 3 May 2006 18:00

Try googling - I bet the Gurkhas have their own website. They fought beside my father in Burma in WW2 - he said they were brilliant soldiers. I just googled and there is tons of info - always google anything you want info about.

VIVinHERTS

VIVinHERTS Report 3 May 2006 17:53

Can anyone tell me where to look please? I am helping a friend to trace he fathers family. She wants to find the death of her uncle who was in the Gurkhas during the second world war and she thinks he may have died in Burma during WW2. Please, please help. Viv