Correction of Quotes from Huxford by Spiral

[sirupate]

THE MYTH OF GURKHA RIFLEMAN CARRYING PRIVATE Spiral; 21st June 2010, 02:28 PM post 30 But just to add to Simons confusion. I always liked this bit published in 1952 in Leutenant-Colonel H.J. Huxfords Official history of the originaly Assam based 8th Gurkha Rifles. {I Think one battalion went to NWF about 1914 the other to France.} "The men had to pay for there own kukris,though the leather frogs were an ordanance supply."

One has to wonder why you used this quote in reference to WW1?

1. There were actually three battalions in the 8th Gurkha Rifles in WW1 Jonathan
2. Full quote from Pg.316-317; “From old photographs it appears that kukris were invariably carried by Gurkha soldiers, but it was not until 1881 that these were officially authorised. In the Assam regiments the men had to pay for their kukris, though the leather frogs were ordinance supply.”

As good and as interesting as the book by Huxford is, he has clearly missed this;
“GENERAL ORDERS BY THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF to Ochterlony Head-quarters, Futty Ghur, 27th July 1815.
A. The Nusseree and Sirmoor Battalions are to be armed with Musquets until a sufficient number of Fuzils (or Fusil; a muzzle loading musket) can be obtained. Each man to retain and wear his kookrey in a leather waistbelt of the pattern which has been approved.”

In other words kukri were made to an approved pattern and supplied to what were considered actual Gurkha units from the very beginning, which brings us onto Assam regiments!

The date of 1881 year quoted by Huxford is very important, as the Official description below shows; unless the regiment was truly Goorkha/Gurkha, kukri would not be issued, as was the case in the Assam Regiments, information you had to hand, but did not supply, why?

In 1880 an official description of the 42nd Assam LI, 43rd Assam LI and the 44th Sylhet LI says; “the first named has a strong Sikh element and the *43rd is mostly composed of Assamese, but both contain a good many men from Hindustan; the last named is now practically a Gurkha Corps.”
A. The 44th Sylhet only became a Goorkha Regiment in 1886, the title being 44th Regiment, Goorkha (Light) Infantry, and becoming the 8th Gurkhas in 1903.
B. The 42nd (Assam) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry only became a Goorkha Regiment in 1886, the 42nd Regiment Goorkha Light Infantry, and becoming the 6th Gurkha Rifles in 1903.
C. The 43rd (Assam) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry only became a Goorkha Regiment in 1886, the 43rd Regiment Goorkha Light Infantry, and becoming the 7th Gurkhas in 1903, and eventually the 2/8th Gurkhas in 1907, so they could retain the Magar and Gurung make up, as under Lord Kitchener’s reforms the 7th was to be designated a Rai and Limbu regiment.

Spiral 'military' KUKRI for comment Spiral; 7th January 2012, 01:06 AM post 6 Despite Simons statement ,Some battalions still made or bought thier own kukri during ww2 due to supply difficulities during ww2 with the main pattern kukri.This is well documented.
Sirupate; 7th January 2012, 12:39 PM post 9 Proof of documentation please Jonathan.
Spiral 9th January 2012, 11:46 AM post 12 Generaly I ignore Simon Hengle of Tora Replica kukri supplies, as life is to short to waste on such things ,but a request for documentry evidence I do view as legitamate on this occasion. A legitamate request... quite a reliable source realy. The Official Regimental history of the 8th Gurkha Rifles. By Leutenant-Colonel H.J. Huxford. Published in 1952 ,

Quotes and information are only any good if the person quoting them gets them right!
Again you incorrect Jonathan; this is the actual written piece in the book by Huxford, and confirms what I thought, that the REGIMENT dealt with kukri, although not quite the way I thought with the 8th.
“As Government kukri were unobtainable, the Centre (Regimental Centre at Quetta) developed its own kukri industry. A large number of kukri manufacturers and other skilled artisans were imported, and within a few months it was possible to equip all drafts with weapons of the finest design and make. Considering that only available material was scrap, such as springs from derelict motor cars and odds and ends of old metal parts, and that the workshops were covered huts with no facilities for manufacturer, these craftsmen put up a fine effort which astonished visitors.”

In future Jonathan please get your quotes correct, and supply the full information so that people have the full story, and are not misleading.