pc Rn 27%,
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB From: Jonathan Hoyle,
Telephone: (Direct Dialling) 01-218
(Switchboard) 01-218 9000
Sec(0)(C) x81611
Roslind Marsden
Hong Kong Dept
Room WH 302
FCO
King Charles Street
London SW1
Dear Roslind,
OP GRANBY: DEPLOYMENT OF GURKHAS
Your reference
Our reference
Date D/Sec(0)(C)2/24/2
22 November 1990
HKC 062 15
NOV 1990
We spoke earlier today about the planned deployment of Gurkhas to the Gulf. This falls in to two parts.
2.
Firstly, the routine roulement of 30 Signal Regiment will involve the deployment of some 25 Gurkhas from the UK to the Gulf. This roulement will take place progressively over the next few weeks and be complete before Christmas. The availability of signals manpower is already stretched with other deployments and the Gurkhas form part of the roulement plan. Secondly, today's announcement by the Defence Secretary of reinforcements to the Gulf involves a large number of the Royal corps of Transport (RCT). The RCT cannot meet this requirement without recourse to Gurkhas based in Hong Kong. It is intended that a squadron of 200 Gurkhas will act as an ambulance squadron. The squadron would move to the UK for training and equipping in two weeks prior to deployment to the Gulf.
3. I attach the draft of a signal to Khatmandu informing the Nepalese authorities of both moves. That in square brackets should not be included in a signal to Hong Kong (copied to HQBF Hong Kong) informing them of the move. I should be grateful if you could arrange for the signals to be sent flash, as the Gurkhas will shortly be placed on reduced notice to move and the deployment could become public.
4. I am copying this letter to the emergency unit.
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