TNAG-2122-FCO40-3028-Future-of-the-Brigade-of-Gurkhas-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 8

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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.

Чата

الله

CONFIDENTIAL

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