What role did Gurkha soldiers play in the Falklands conflict?

On the 12th April 1982 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles set sail from Southampton to join the British Task Force deploying to the South Atlantic to take back the Falkland Islands from Argentina.

These Gurkhas from 7GR pre-dominantly come from the east of Nepal which is 16 thousand kilometres away from the Falkland Islands.

When the conflict began, like many British servicemen, these Gurkhas didn’t even know where the islands were.

So what was it like to travel to a warzone, the other side of the world?

Listen as Gurkha veterans tell their stories, 40 years on.

Presented by Binoddhoj Kadkha (with an introduction from Ben Coley)

Written and produced by Binoddhoj Kadkha and Bhim Atreya from BFBS Gurkha Network.

This is a BFBS original podcast.

14th June 1982, Liberation Day. British troops reach their objective and white flags fly over Port Stanley.

Argentinian forces sign the declaration of surrender at Government House and history is made as the British reclaim the Falkland Islands.

The resilience of the taskforce is met with respite as they lay down their weapons and begin the long journey back home.

It was a conflict that came with consequences; more than 900 people lost their lives. But the lasting legacy of peace and prosperity continues for those who live there now.

This is an original podcast from BFBS.

Presented by Ben Coley

Produced by Ben Coley, Jess Bracey, Jade Callaway, Gini Carlin, Tim Humphries and Hal Stewart

Sound Design by Joe Carden

Edited by Josella Waldron

With thanks to Paul Condon and Jane Franklin at Forces News.

For more about the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict: https://www.forces.net/falklands40

If you have been affected by anything you have heard in this series, please look at our website where you can find many organisations who can help. www.bfbs.com/audience-support

While British and Argentinian Forces were fighting it out, the islanders were engaged in their own battles.

From being bombed by the RAF, held hostage by enemy soldiers to working undercover with the British Army, these islanders have their own stories about the conflict.

Gini Carlin tells Ben Coley all about her recent visit to the islands where she spoke to Tim Miller, Trudi McPhee, John Pole-Evans, Patrick Watts and Lisa Pole-Evans.

This is an original podcast from BFBS.

Presented by Ben Coley

Produced by Ben Coley, Jess Bracey, Jade Callaway, Gini Carlin and Tim Humphries

Sound Design by Sean Harper

Edited by Josella Waldron

With thanks to Paul Condon and Jane Franklin at Force News.

For more about the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict: https://www.forces.net/falklands40