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Gurkha war hero in struggle to survive

Tul Bahadur Pun, the Gurkha war hero

London: A Gurkha war hero may be forced to leave Britain because he cannot survive on his “meagre” army pension, despite recently winning a legal battle for the right to stay.

Tul Bahadur Pun (84), was awarded U.K. residency in July following a public outcry over the Government’s attempt to prevent him from settling in Britain. He arrived at the beginning of July.

Now, the Victoria Cross recipient fears he will be forced to return to Nepal because he and his family are struggling on his annual army pension of £1,584. His lawyer Martin Howe believes he will certainly die if forced to return to Nepal because of the standard of Nepalese medical care. Mr. Pun suffered a mild stroke recently and is recovering in hospital.

Mr. Pun was awarded the Victoria Cross — the highest honour for military bravery — after single-handedly storming Japanese machine-gun positions during the Second World War. Despite his valour, Mr. Pun was barred from Britain because officials concluded that he did not have “strong ties with the U.K.”

The elderly Gurkha has heart problems, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and requires daily medication which is not always available in Nepal.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was made aware of Mr. Pun’s plight when they met three weeks ago. The Gurkha told him he was struggling to support his wife and son at their home in Hounslow, west London. His lawyer, Martin Howe, has contacted Treasury solicitors, but no increase has been forthcoming. Mr. Pun receives £132 a month, around a quarter of the average British army pension. In addition, he receives £1,500 a year as a Victoria Cross winner, a bonus that still leaves him short of what the average single-mother household receives — £3,546 a year in benefits.

Concern over the Government’s treatment of Gurkhas will resurface when 44 veterans appeal against a decision by immigration officials to stop them living in Britain. Despite many having seen action and all holding “exemplary conduct” records, officials claim that their U.K. links are not strong enough.

“These people spilt their blood and guts for Britain,” said Mr. Howe.

“They were willing to die for us, but they are now not good enough for us to offer them a place to live.” —

Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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