Clarification on these Gurkha Mess Orderly pictures

[sirupate]

Mess Orderlies and their Kukri, there has been a great deal of debate/argument over the last few years of the 10 GR picture in 1948 in particular, with respect of Gurkhas wearing private Kukri, and also of the 3 GR WW2 picture of a mess orderly with a kukri.
My viewpoint is that they were supplied by the regiment, therefore issue.

I hope this thread puts to bed the mistaken conclusions that have arisen from these photo's by some collectors.

I decided to do some further re-search, and I have put the questions to those in the know, initially I contacted the esteemed Lt. Col. J.P. Cross and he had this to say:

Dear Simon,

I seem to remember having them under me in '46 and part of '47 when I was OC Adm Coy. There was a Mess Sgt and a Mess Naik and, therefore I presume a couple of Mess L/Nk. The mess staff, i.e. mess NCOs and mess orderlies, were sent from rifle companies for a spell - quite how long I can't remember. Cooks, I believe, come from QOGLR.
Pipes & Drums Pl who were trained in being First Aid Stretcher Bearers as well. In wartime, being part of the battalion, the mess staff went wherever the bn went.

I also decided to contact the current Curator of the Gurkha Museum in Winchester;

Me; "I have started to re-read ‘Even the Brave Falter’ by E.D. Smith, and I came across this on pg.67; “Lance Naik Jitbahadur Rai, an ex-mess orderly, undergoing his first experience of battle, was in command of the right hand section.”

Am I right in thinking that Mess Orderlies are rifleman, Naik’s etc. that when required in war time were transferred (or applied) to be part of a fighting unit?

Also in a much used photograph from the 10 GR History Book (photo attached) of Mess Orderlies in 1948, they are wearing Kothimora kukri, would these have been supplied by the Regiment as part of their Mess wear?

Kind regards Simon

Curator;
"Dear Simon,

Orderlies are trained Riflemen/Naiks-Cpls etc who are detailed to that role. If required, they fulfil a fighting role as and when required.. The picture shows Mess Orderlies with Regimental kit including the Kukris.

I then did a follow up on the 3 GR WW2 Mess Orderly picture;
Me; "So would it be fairly safe to say that the 3 GR Orderly (WW2) in the attached picture is also wearing an issued kukri?

Kind regards Simon"

Curator; "Probably"

Also keep in mind what Lt. Col. Cross said; "mess NCOs and mess orderlies, were sent from rifle companies for a spell - quite how long I can't remember"

Top picture 10 GR 1948
Bottom two pictures 3 GR WW2