Veterans Stories

My father 21137766 Rifleman Rajman Limbu was born in 1932 in a small village called Kankeybong Busty situated near Darjeeling District. He was just 17 when decided to join the Army because of the poverty at home and his intention was to serve the nation. There he was selected in the British Army in 1949 and the journey of a Soldier began.

He served in Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong, although he spent most of his army career in the Motor Transport Platoon of the 2/10 Gurkha Battalion, during the service he was involved in the far east campaign and was selected to drive ¼ ton and 3 ton vehicles, he used to say that it was a tough time and during this time he saved many lives. He served in the British Army for twelve years and then voluntarily resigned in 1962 due to problems at home. After coming back to his village, he started farming and did a labor job to raise the family, he did not have any service pension from his service in the Army.

It was after a long time in 1992 he was assessed to receive a welfare pension through the Gurkha Welfare Scheme. After prolong illness he died in 2015, after his death a welfare staff from Darjeeling Welfare visited our home and assessed the welfare needs and transferred the welfare pension to my mother. The Trust has helped us further to live with dignity

Miss Rejina Limbu Daughter of

Rifleman Rajman Limbu 2/10 GR

I joined the British Army in 1942 as a Boy soldier, after I finished my training in 1943 I joined B Coy 7 Gurkha Rifles, I was soon sent to Far East Campaign, which was incredibly hard times, we saw Japanese soldier surrendered and with that the British Army started to draw dawn from Borneo, this ultimately had many of us redundant and were sent home. I was lucky to be called forward to rejoin and in 1946 I reenlisted from a place called Madhya Pradesh Dews.

It was 1947 when India got independence, I further served with the Battalion in Malaya a placed called Seremban and had the opportunity to teach the children inside the army camp. I had a colorful service in the British Army and retired at the rank of Sargeant in Sept 1968

In July 2011 I was in Kathmandu to begin work in a private company. Two days after my arrival a misfortune took place that brought my life to a screeching halt. I had to be rushed to ICU unit in Norvic hospital at Thapathali.

 

When the dust settled Kavita, my wife,  who had rushed all the way from Siliguri WB India, was informed that I had a brain stroke and that it be would be slow and  arduous path to recovery.  I was partially incapacitated - the right side of my body was slightly paralyzed  and I had developed impaired speech. After I was discharged from the hospital my wife and I stayed on in Lalitpur with my cousin sister to undergo   therapy recommended by the Norvic hospital. 

 

We headed back to Siliguri after a month. Life fell into a monotonous routine thereafter. In mid 2015 we relocated to a new address. Our daughter had bought a flat in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Siliguri. 

 

Then in 2019 there was Covid pandamic when life  was in absolute turmoil and to turn things into something even more complicated I was diagnosed with an ailment related to kidney in eàrly 2020. Our daughter also lost her job thus leaving us staring at bleak future prospects.

 

At this juncture when I had run out of all options, a well-wisher suggested me to approach Darjeeling Welfare Trust (DWT)  in Darjeeling.  DWT team soon visited us and after due process I was relieved to learn that my appeal for help was heard sympathetically and a welfare pension was sanctioned initially for one year effectively from October 2020. Review of periods 2020-21 and 2021-22 have been carried out by DWT represented. All the DWT Darjeeling  staff demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and are politely friendly in their dealing with us - the 'odd balls' whose trajectory of life went awry!