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Gurkhas set to take on railways
Ed Harris23.01.09
The gurkhas are preparing to use their military skills to take on Britain's railways as up to 400 of them could be hired by Network Rail.
A recruitment and rail maintenance company plans to hire former combat engineers from the Nepalese fighters whose motto is: “It is better to die than to be a coward.”
The drive is being led by Ganymede Solutions, whose managing director, Gary Hewett, is a retired wing commander who served alongside the gurkhas in the Falklands.
It is being launched in Wandsworth, with the first team being trained at Clapham.
A Ganymede spokesman said: “The company is only too aware of the skill base they offer. And with employment after leaving the Army being of key importance, Ganymede is paying to retrain the former combat engineers to become railway engineers.”
The company plans to supply Network Rail with up to 400 temporary engineers by the end of the year and is “actively recruiting” gurkhas around Aldershot and other bases in Hampshire, it was reported today.
Britain's links to gurkhas date back to 1814 when their bravery was noted in a fierce war with Nepal.
Gurkhas have won 26 Victoria Crosses and have fought in both world wars, the Falklands, Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year they won a High Court battle to settle in Britain.
Reader views (7)
Efficient, polite, cheerful, courageous, positive: why don't we just ask them to run the whole country? But would they want to? This is the country where an ASBO was recently given to a shepherd because he drove them through a village where people found his sheep intimidating.
- mdj, e10, London uk
They must be encouraged to join Police force, security firms too, in long term UK will benefit, as UK has in the past.
- surj, london
As a Gurkha, it is refreshing to hear that Gary Hewitt and Ganymede Solutions have recongnised the fact that we have skills other than that which have made us famous - fierce warriors!I welcome Ganymede's initiative and whole heartedly support this venture, which I am confident will be successful. I would be happy to help Gary to set up his Team of "Gurkha Railway Engineers".
- Mani Rai, Camberley
At last - some good news I wish they would also take over Whitehall and rid us of the mickey mouse government and the unelected prime minister
- R.F., Yorks, UK
..So much for NuLaber's 'Jobs for Brit's First' mantra. Once again, the indiginous British Worker is marginalised. No doubt these 'Gurkers' will be paid much less than their British counterparts. Would it be racist to put the interests of British Workers above overseas wannabees or just plain common sense?
- Joannie, London, England
Well that is good news, hopefully that can get the railways back in shape, be a good idea to have them on the late night trains as security guards as well with their fighting reputation. Wonder why they are not employing the Brits? Sorry silly question, workers not shirkers needed.
- David, Totland Bay
We done Wing Commander. Delays due to engineering works will become a thing of the past.
- Andrews, Malaysia
