Warriors from the Himalayas: GURKHAS by Gordon Elsden

£25.00

Warriors from the Himalayas: Gurkhas by Gordon Elsden (Author) 

Gordon Elsden – Bio and connection with the Gurkhas  

Gordon served in the Royal Hong Kong Police from 1980 to 1987 with various operational roles that included working as a Sub-Unit Inspector in Yaumati in Kowloon, a Platoon Commander of an Internal Security Platoon in the New Territories and a Detective Inspector in Tsim Sha Tsui. On his second tour he worked for a headquarter unit on Hong Kong Island 

Gordon’s first encounter with Gurkha veterans was in 1983 when on completion of his first 3-year contract he completed the 20-day Annapurna circuit. In the hillside villages along the Jomsom trail he had the opportunity to chat with Gurkha veterans who had fought in Burma, Malaya and Borneo.  

In 1985, his then wife, Sue, working as a civilian teacher in the Brigade of Gurkhas in Hong Kong, headed a pilot programme to raise the standard of English of a class of Gurkhas from 10th Gurkhas at Burma Lines. After an invitation to the Sergeants mess by Sergeant Hari Bahadur Limbu and an initiation with fiery Gurkha chilis and San Miguel beer, a friendship began that has endured over forty years. During this time Sergeant Hari was steadily promoted through the ranks to Captain (QGO). 

Six years ago, while sitting with Hari Saheb in a tea house in Danda Bajar near Dharan, an idea was floated to start recording the spoken stories of Hari and other Gurkha family members, friends and colleagues before their stories disappeared forever. So began a project that has taken Gordon on a journey of many miles from the east of Nepal to the west and around the UK, meeting with Gurkha veterans from all the historic (pre 1994) Gurkha regiments. 

From the assembly and shaping of those incredible stories accompanied with numerous pictures provided by the Gurkha veterans and the two museums in Winchesters and Pokhara, two solid hardbound volumes of stories titled ‘Warriors from the Himalayas’ have emerged. 

Quotes:  

Lt Colonel J P Cross OBE 

Magisterial and encyclopedic, essential reading for a full knowledge of all aspects of the life of Gurkhas serving the Crown. So much care has been taken in writing every story. My knowledge of the hills and people found favour with all that is written here, and I have revelled in meeting old friends again. Such a work is long overdue.’ 

Colonel Dan Rex MVO, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal 

I have had the pleasure of reading the draft of the book and I think it is the best I have read on Gurkhas, capturing the stories of some of our most famous forebears in their own voice. To anyone who loves Nepal, our Regiment or Brigade, I could not recommend it more highly.