Tul Bahadur Pun VC won the Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in the 3rd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles. He is 1 of only 12 living recipients of this country’s highest award for valour. However, the British Government refused 84 year-old Mr Pun VC’s application to settle in the UK, to seek urgently needed medical treatment, on the grounds that Mr Pun VC “failed to demonstrate strong ties with the UK”.
After a massive campaign by the British public and supporters from all around the world, the UK Government eventually bowed to the weight of public pressure and on 1 June 2007 finally allowed the Gurkha war hero the right to live in Britain. The decision was made on the same facts that were before the officials at the British Embassy in Nepal, who had banned Mr Pun VC from Britain. Nothing had changed, save for the overwhelming and heartfelt statements for Mr Pun VC and his fellow Gurkhas made by ordinary members of the public.
Shortly after the Government announcement, Mr Pun VC was woken from his sleep at his home in Pokhara, Nepal, to be told the news that the British public had won him back his right to stay in Britain. Mr Pun VC said “I am as happy as the day I won the Victoria Cross. I would like to thank the British public, particularly my brothers and sisters in the British Armed Forces, for supporting the Gurkhas and me. I am deeply touched”. Mr Pun VC’s full Press Statement
This is Mr Pun’s full citation, which was formally published in the London Gazette, on 1944-11-07 reads as follows:-
“The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to :- No. 10119 Rifleman Tullbahadur (sic) Pun, 6th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. In Burma on June 23rd, 1944, a Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles was ordered to attack the Railway Bridge at Mogaung. Immediately the attack developed the enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from a position known as the Red House and from a strong bunker position two hundred yards to the left of it. So intense was this cross fire that both the leading platoons of ‘B’ Company, one of which was Rifleman Tulbahadur (sic) Pun’s, were pinned to the ground and the whole of his Section was wiped out with the exception of himself, the Section commander and one other man. The Section commander immediately led the remaining two men in a charge on the Red House but was at once badly wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur (sic) Pun and his remaining companion continued the charge, but the latter too was immediately wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur (sic) Pun then seized the Bren Gun, and firing from the hip as he went, continued the charge on this heavily bunkered position alone, in the face of the most shattering concentration of automatic fire, directed straight at him. With the dawn coming up behind him, he presented a perfect target to the Japanese. He had to move for thirty yards over open ground, ankle deep in mud, through shell holes and over fallen trees. Despite these overwhelming odds, he reached the Red House and closed with the Japanese occupants. He killed three and put five more to flight and captured two light machine guns and much ammunition. He then gave accurate supporting fire from the bunker to the remainder of his platoon which enabled them to reach their objective. His outstanding courage and superb gallantry in the face of odds which meant almost certain death were most inspiring to all ranks and beyond praise.”
This citation was read out in full on the BBC Radio 4 PM program with Eddie Mare on Thurday 31st May at about 17.30. The message board of the program was rammed. The BBC received more calls in a short space of time than for quite a while. Some of the messages read out on air the following day simply pointed out that such sacrifice, excepted him from “demonstrate strong ties with the UK”. Many admitted to crying at home or in thier cars on the way home from work.
I was one of them.
In common with 22,000 others, I signed the 10 Downing Street online petition expressing my disgust at such a crass decision.
Just how unfeeling is it possible for a government to be. He is 84 for god sake and simply asking for a little consideration.
One listener wrote in to ask if the Gurka had paid enough National Insurance Contributions for NHS treatment. He, of course, was a TWAT! The man has paid so much more.
