On the 9th June 2018 Corporal Tikaraj (Piper) and Lance Corporal(Bugler) of 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) visited the National Arboretum to support the annual Chindit Reunion. 2018 marked the 75th Anniversary of the first Chindit operation, Operation LONGCLOTH, carried out by the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in 1943, under the command of Brig Orde Wingate DSO.
The Third Battalion, Second Gurkha Rifles, an antecedent Regiment of RGR, were part of 77th Brigade throughout LONGCLOTH.
More than 100 Chindit veterans were present and were delighted to see Gurkhas there, having served alongside them in Burma and grown to admire them – indeed, Ian Niven, Lancashire Fusiliers, 77th Brigade, felt 3/6 Gurkha Rifles saved his life at Pin Hmi Bridge as 77th Brigade fought its way into Mogaung in June 1944 .
Both Corporal Tikaraj and Lance Corporal Milan were lauded for their excellent playing throughout the day, and in particular at the Chindit Memorial before the Act of Remembrance.
