On 13 September, a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Major (Retd) Mani Kumar Rai MBE DL, took place at the Royal Memorial Chapel, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
A life well lived filled with love, laughter, and quiet strength Mani touched the hearts of all who knew him and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and grace.
Representatives:
- Colonel (Retd) Charles Ackroyd TD RD DL (HM The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Lieutenant)
- General Sir David Bill KCB President (Gurkha Brigade Association)
- Major General Gerald Strickland DSO MBE (Colonel Commandant the Brigade of Gurkhas)
- Brigadier (Retd) John Anderson OBE (President 6GRRA)
- Colonel David Robinson (Colonel the Brigade of Gurkhas Colonel)
- Colonel Anup Shah – Nepal Army (Military Attaché to the UK for Nepal)
- Major Dammarbahadur Shahi (Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas)
Clergy: Revd Robbie Robinson Assistant Chaplain the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Musicians: Mr. Simon Dinsdale BA, MA, FLCM, LTCL, LLCM, SFFLM, FTCSM, FMCM, FGMS, HonFNCM, FISM Organist and Director of Music Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Choir
Ushers Officers and Members of the Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas
During the service hymns were sung, prayers were read, including the 6 Gurkha Rifles Collect, read by Lieutenant General Sir David Bill KCB.
Lord of all, whose warriors looked to the hills, grant us of 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles, bound together in bonds of service and friendship, your blessings. We have served our Sovereign with loyalty, integrity and cheerfulness; we have been mindful of our traditions, proud of our Regiment and we have upheld our oaths. We have tried to live good and honest lives and if we have failed, we ask forgiveness. We ask your care for all who have served in our Regiment and for their families. And we thank you. Amen
A poem – How long does a man live was read by Major General Gerald Strickland DSO MBE.
So, how long does a man live, finally?
And how much does he live while he lives?
We fret, and ask so many questions –
Then when it comes to us
The answer is so simple.
A man lives for as long as we carry him inside us,
For as long as we carry the harvest of his dreams,
For as long as we can ourselves live,
Holding memories in common, a man lives.
A tribute from Mount Hermon School, written by Monojit Kumar as read by Amreet Rai. The Address was read by Brigadier John Anderson OBE. And a family tribute was read by his wife Sudha, and his children Amreet and Kailash Rai.
The Brigade tribute to Mani Kumar Rai MBE DL was a poem composed and read by Dammarbahadur Shahi:
Tilted headdress, proud Gurkha stride
You marched with purpose, head held high.
A gentleman of the truest kind,
A warrior’s soul, with a humble mind.
Respect flowed from your very core,
You spoke your truth, held back no more.
Still loyal to your mother land,
You gave your best with open hand.
No anger dwelled within your way,
Your smile would soften what you’d say.
You served all ranks without a line,
With selfless heart and strength benign.
Your father’s path you proudly walked,
A royal aide, where few had talked.
You voiced concern where wrong was near,
With wisdom, guidance, calm and clear.
Fifty years in service deep,
To crown and kin, no task too steep.
You bore the Gurkha name with pride,
From Afghan sands to Tigris tide.
You trained the few, you taught the best,
You placed the future on your chest.
A saviour of the name we hold,
Whose story shall in time be told.
And when the pipes and Khukries gleam,
The Gurkhas will dance in honour of your dream.
For in your steps, we find our grace,
A legacy none can replace.
A gentleman of the finest breed,
In you, the Gurkha’s soul is freed.
Last Post and Reveille was performed by a bugler from the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Blessing was given by the Reverend Robbie Robinson, followed by the National Anthem. A piper from The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles performed Highland Cathedral to close the service.
The family would like to thank you for joining us today to honour Mani’s memory. We are also deeply grateful to all the doctors, nurses and staff for their care and kindness.
Donations in Mani’s memory can be made to the following charities:
The memorial service
