Continuing from the VIP Day media coverage here are additional photos from the second day when doors were open to the general public. I hadn’t planned on a second visit but an email I received from Dorothy of BFBS Radio suggested otherwise. I reached the sports field with about 20 minutes to spare before the next Arena Show was due to start and already throngs of excited visitors were quickly filling up the grandstand seats. For more information, catch The Brunei Times coverage of the Open Day featuring four photographs from this set.
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lBy far the most popular attraction was the 7 Flight Army's Bell 212 helicopter especially with the kids.There were no shortage of visitors armed with digital compacts and SLR camera snapping away their kids having a good time and all things interesting.Clearly, the Garrison Open Day attracted more toddlers to the show than you can down the number of strollers.
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas delighting crowds with their slick marching displays and lively music
Gurkha soldiers performing their famed kukri knives routine before a packed field of spectators.
Straight off the press kit, the aim of the Garrison Open Day is an opportunity for British Forces to engage with the local community, demonstrate its military capabilities, equipment and supporting services as well as providing an insight into the Gurkhas, their history and traditions. The Association of the Brigade of Gurkhas with Brunei was established 48 years ago in 1962 and being a Kuala Belait then later a Seria resident, I practically grew up with the British Forces in our community along with various other nationals that as a whole makes the oil town so culturally diverse and interesting. [see also Prince Charles & Duchess Camilla visit at the same venue—the British Forces Sports Field]
The Gurkhas are recruited from in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal into the British Army and are a unique unit with a reputation of being amongst the finest and most feared soldiers in the world. The Royal Gurkha Rifles currently have a jungle role Battalion permanently based in Brunei and a Light Role Battalion in the U.K. For many Gurkhas, service in the British Army is a strong family tradition and they come from tight knit communities where mutual respect and trust are instilled from an early age. One of the strengths of a Gurkha Battalion on operations today is the ability of the soldiers to understand cultural nuances, and to empathise with people in conflict zones. Unforgiving in battle, the soldiers are equally generous and warm hearted to those who are affected by conflict.
Gurkha soldiers hold up kukri knives while Director of Music holds up his baton,
symbolizing the back to back dignity and significance of military might and musical prowess!
The Garrison Open Day is held at the Sports Field. On arrival, we were greeted by Gurkha soldiers manning the entrance. Some VIPs had arrived before Major Toby Jackman led us inside.What initially looked like candies are ear plugs to drown out extremely loud noises from sniper fire during the mock "Platoon Attack" arena show.Gurkha Soldiers dressed in their traditional attire, dancing in their traditional Nepali style to add gaiety to the auspicious occasion
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.The band was raised in November 1859 as part of an Indian Army Gurkha Regiment called the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment. It had 16 Bandsmen and one Naik (a leader) and soon became a part of Regimental life, playing for parades, polo matches, dinners and troop entertainment at the Regimental base at Dehra Dun, North East of Delhi. The band has traveled extensively throughout the world and musicians are recruited into the band after their basic military training. Initial musical instruction then commences, first under the supervision of the Director of Music then after approximately four years, at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall in London.
A Gurkha soldier performs a kukri routine before the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas featuring the Pipes and Drums Platoon of 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles.The kukri is national weapon of Nepal and is carried by Gurkhas. It's also used as an every day work tool in hill communities. Every Gurkha carries at least two kukris; one for ceremonial purposes and another for general use. Keeping the knives clean and sharp is a key part of their daily routine.Director of Music: Major Wayne Hopla BA (Hons)
VIP guests from the diplomatic corps, secretariat office and Royal Brunei Armed Forces
His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, is Colonel in Chief of both the Gurkhas and 7 Flight Army Air Corps. On October 31, 2008 Lieutenant Colonel AJP Bourne OBE, the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and British Forces Brunei welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to the British Forces in Seria.
A photo tells a thousand words, eighty-five more surely put me at the risk of being overly long- winded. There are times when you just cannot sum up an event with a couple of photos especially one that may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (or more precisely, once in my lifetime). Rather than echo what’s been reported in the papers I am delighted and honoured to present a photo documentary of the event as a personal tribute the British Forces community.
Their Royal Highnesses arrived at the helicopter base of Seven Flight yesterday afternoon where they were met by the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and the British Forces Brunei Lieutenant Colonel AJP Bourne Obe.
Upon arrival at the helicopter base, the Commanding Officer Major Mike Whelan gave Their Royal Highnesses a private briefing regarding the recent deployment of support troops to Afghanistan.
Their Royal Highnesses were then escorted to the Garrison’s sports pitch where the Prince of Wales consented to inspect the 60-man strong royal guard of honour and take the royal salute which was presented to the prince by the guard of honour commander Major Surendra Gurung.
Hundreds had gathered on the field to greet Their Royal Highnesses, who after the guard of honour ceremony had consented to meet and greet the congregation which consisted of military and civilian personnel along with their families and friends as well as some of the children from the local service Hornbill School and families from the British Forces in Brunei.
— The Brunei Times
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Gurkha soldiers hold up kukri knives while Director of Music holds up his baton,
SHIMWORLD 