Photo Essay

Gurkhas - The forgotten Soldiers of the Crown 2

Gurkha #6

The Gurkhas. One of the most highly respected infantry soldiers in the world. Men acknowledged as "the bravest of the brave", whose enemies tremble at their motto, "Better to die than be a cowar" and shake at the sight of the Khukri, their famous traditional knife. The Gurkhas have fought exclusively for the British in just about all their military campaigns from the 19th century up to this day. They were involved in both World Wars, during which the number of Gurkhas in British regiments reached a record level of roughly 100,000 men. However these men, who sacrificed their youth and often their health, leaving behind their family and children for years at a time, are nowadays left by the wayside, virtually penniless.

Les Gurkhas. Une des infanteries les plus respectées du monde. Ils font partie de ceux qui sont reconnus comme "les braves parmi les braves", ceux dont la devise "plutôt mourir que d'être lâche" fait frissonner autant que la vue de leur célèbre couteau traditionnel, le Khukuri. Ces Gurkhas ont participé, pour le compte exclusif des britanniques, à presque toutes les campagnes militaires du 19ème siècle à nos jours et notamment aux deux guerres mondiales pendant lesquelles le nombre de Gurkhas dans les régiments britanniques a atteint des niveaux records avec quelques 100 000 hommes. Pourtant aujourd'hui, ces hommes qui ont sacrifié leur jeunesse, souvent leur santé, laissant famille et enfants au pays pendant plusieurs années, sont quasiment laissés-pour-compte et sans ressources...

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thought you might like this submission to JPG Magazine. If you do, vote it up!

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1 response

  • eithne mythen

    eithne mythen   gave props (3 Aug 2009):

    Well written, very thought prevoking..very emotive shots, voted..

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