A moving service of remembrance has been conducted in Kosovo commemorating the first British soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the conflict. Among the many reflecting on the solemn occasion organized to mark the 25th anniversary of their deaths was Corporal Bishwraj Rai, The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR), whose personal connection to the tragedy rekindled childhood memories of the loss of his uncle, Staff Sergeant Balaram Rai.
In honour and gratitude for your sacrifice,
we remember your courage and dedication.
From all ranks of The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles.
These were the words that were written upon the wreath laid by Corporal Bishawraj during a ceremony held in the Negrovce region of Kosovo commemorating the death of his uncle, Staff Sergeant Balaram Rai. His uncle, along with Lieutenant Gareth Evans, were the first British soldiers to pay with their lives at the onset of British peacekeeping operations during the Kosovo crisis back in 1999.
In June of 1999, Staff Sergeant Balaram Rai and Lieutenant Gareth Evans members of 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, Queen’s Gurkha Engineers were killed as they attempted to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the village school at Orlate in Kosovo’s Negrovce region about 22 kilometres west of the Pristina. It was a tragedy that deeply affected Balaram Rai’s family as his nephew, then only 9-years-old, reflected: “At the time we were all living together as one family, my auntie, uncle, and whole family. Then we heard the news of the incident – my uncle and one of the troop commanders both lost their lives while clearing the UXO. They were trying to help the school by getting rid of all the explosive devices when one detonated. It was a very sad moment for me as he was the reason I wanted to join the British Army Gurkhas. From that moment I have heard about this country a lot and ever since I joined the Army my wishes have been to come here and finally, I have got here with my regiment, 2 RGR. It was very emotional when I landed in this country as this is where my uncle lost his life. I feel proud as well, and I can remember him by bringing a flower and laying a wreath at the place where he died.”
Today, the legacy of the Kosovo conflict lives on through the NATO mission, KFOR (Kosovo Force), which was established to maintain a safe and secure environment for the region and to ensure freedom of movement. This mission is a reminder of the sacrifices made 25 years ago and the ongoing peacekeeping efforts.
