Gurkha Soldier Justice Campaign
Gents, I make no apology for this severely off topic subject - though Gurkhas get PROSTATE CANCER too, of course - which is very close to my heart. I am extremely proud to have served in a British Army Gurkha Division for most of my six years of active service in Malaya (now Malaysia) and Brunei during the late 50’s and early 60’s.
Although treated with great respect and camaraderie by their fellow soldiers, British Army service conditions for the Gurkha soldier in terms of pay and entitlements, have always been absolutely horrid in comparative terms. That’s 200 years of shabby treatment.
But now we have a chance to at least treat surviving old soldiers - as well as those currently serving - with the dignity and the respect they deserve by allowing them to live out their lives in the UK. But the battle with the British government on their behalf is not yet won and we need the support of all British citizens to make that happen.
Please take a moment to read the following document from film and stage personality, Joanna Lumley (Joanna’s father served alongside Gurkhas in Burma with the Chindits) and also. view the very stirring, but brief video.
Email from Joanna Lumley:
Dear Friend,
Just a quick note to again thank you for your support and update you on the Gurkha Justice Campaign - http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/
With over 80,000 signatures and rising, we are still getting thousands of new supporters every day. We’re still working to get the message out about the campaign - last week Al Murray gave us a tremendous boost on his show Al Murray’s Happy Hour.
If you haven’t already done so, PLEASE pass on our need for signatures to everyone you know and ask them to do likewise. Please send it to your address book. We really need this campaign to spread all across the country - like wild-fire.
This week I’m pleased to say there will be adverts in the next few days in a number of newspapers including the Daily Mail, Guardian and Telegraph promoting the campaign.
We’ve had some great stories from supporters across the country, from people collecting signatures at car boot sales and street stalls, to people putting links on their web sites and telling all their friends - it is making a big difference. Thank you so much to all those who have written and emailed - there are so many we simply can’t reply to all of them personally, so please forgive us. I PROMISE they are being read and appreciated.
The huge number of messages of support and offers of help have been fantastic, but we still really need more help. If possible, can you can help us get the message out in the following ways:
1. If you have a blog, web site, Facebook page or similar, please put a message about www.gurkhajustice.org.uk encouraging people to sign the petition. You could also post a message in any discussion forums you use online.
2. Print out the form at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/gurkha_campaign_petition_form.pdf and get friends and family to sign. Please make sure you return it to us by 16th November.
3. Pass the message to as many people as you can. Whether you forward this email to your contact list, give people a call, or write a letter to your local paper to ask others to sign the petition at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk - we really need your help.
A great example of one supporter promoting our site is a video we saw on YouTube last week. We found it extremely moving. See what you think at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MEPvmPdDzYc
Finally, a very special date for your diary - 20th November. There will be more details soon, but we will be handing in the Gurkha Justice petition to Downing Street on that day. Some special guests and I will be meeting in Parliament Square at around 11am. Anyone who can come along to join us and show their support for the Gurkhas campaign in person on that day will be most welcome.
With warmest good wishes,
Joanna
www.gurkhajustice.org.uk
PS. We’ve sold hundreds of Gurkha Justice t-shirts and sweatshirts at our online shop http://gurkhajustice.spreadshirt.net
Thank you to all those who have bought them - I hope you are wearing them with as much pride as I do mine, and helping spread the message about the campaign.
With warmest good wishes,
Joanna
Copyright ©2006