Gurkha memorial campaign launch

The 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles are based in Folkestone

A campaign to raise funds for a national memorial to fallen Gurkha soldiers has been launched.

Supporters want a statue to be erected on the cliffs above Folkestone, Kent, where the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles are based.

Folkestone town councillor Dhan Gurung who is leading the campaign said "some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain" over the years.

The memorial is likely to be a statue of a Gurkha in full battle dress.

'Lost brave Gurkhas'

Mr Gurung, who is thought to be the first retired Gurkha elected to a public office, said: "Over the generations, some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain.

"They are still doing it today."

He added: "Within the last few months alone, we have lost two brave Gurkhas.

"I am calling on the whole country, and on everyone from across the world who holds the Gurkhas in high regard, to help support this memorial.

"We are asking individuals, groups and communities to support us by donating to our memorial fund."

Various designs for the memorial, which will probably be designed and made by a local artist, are being considered.

Scores of people attended the campaign launch at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Hawkinge on Saturday.

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.

They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.

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