This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-14753942
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Some Gurkhas in Brecon to lose jobs in defence cuts | Some Gurkhas in Brecon to lose jobs in defence cuts |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Gurkhas based in Wales are to lose their jobs under defence cuts, it has been confirmed. | Gurkhas based in Wales are to lose their jobs under defence cuts, it has been confirmed. |
| Up to 130 of The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) have been based in Brecon, Powys, since 1974. | Up to 130 of The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) have been based in Brecon, Powys, since 1974. |
| Ministers have announced that a total of 150 Gurkhas will be made redundant, but the Army will not say how many in Wales will be affected. | Ministers have announced that a total of 150 Gurkhas will be made redundant, but the Army will not say how many in Wales will be affected. |
| Some 930 RAF and 920 Army members were on Thursday being told they were being made redundant, 750 compulsorily. | Some 930 RAF and 920 Army members were on Thursday being told they were being made redundant, 750 compulsorily. |
| The job losses are part of 22,000 post closures by 2015. | The job losses are part of 22,000 post closures by 2015. |
| A spokesman for the Army in Wales said: "Some Gurkhas will be affected, but specific numbers are not being released due to data protection issues. | A spokesman for the Army in Wales said: "Some Gurkhas will be affected, but specific numbers are not being released due to data protection issues. |
| "However, those affected will have the right of appeal and will have the option to switch regiments." | "However, those affected will have the right of appeal and will have the option to switch regiments." |
| The Brecon Gurkhas are based at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon and also use the Sennybridge training area nearby, the UK's fourth largest military training area. | The Brecon Gurkhas are based at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon and also use the Sennybridge training area nearby, the UK's fourth largest military training area. |
| The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) were made honorary citizens of Brecon in 1985. | The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) were made honorary citizens of Brecon in 1985. |
| Brecon mayor Paul Ashton said it would be a "very sad day" if some of the Gurkhas had to leave the town. | Brecon mayor Paul Ashton said it would be a "very sad day" if some of the Gurkhas had to leave the town. |
| "The Gurkhas and their families are held in very high regard by the community in Brecon," he said. | "The Gurkhas and their families are held in very high regard by the community in Brecon," he said. |
| "There is a very close relationship between the Gurkhas and the town. | "There is a very close relationship between the Gurkhas and the town. |
| "There are former Gurkha soldiers living in Brecon and Nepalese businesses. | "There are former Gurkha soldiers living in Brecon and Nepalese businesses. |
| "I'm a governor at two schools in Brecon and a third of the children at both schools are from Gurkha families." | "I'm a governor at two schools in Brecon and a third of the children at both schools are from Gurkha families." |
| Hazards and dangers | Hazards and dangers |
| Professor Alan Hawley, a former general and a military expert from the University of Glamorgan, said: "I think the loss of the Gurkhas will be felt both culturally and militarily in the Brecon area. | Professor Alan Hawley, a former general and a military expert from the University of Glamorgan, said: "I think the loss of the Gurkhas will be felt both culturally and militarily in the Brecon area. |
| "There is affection for the Gurkhas... [they] have been uncomplaining servants of the British crown for 170 years. | "There is affection for the Gurkhas... [they] have been uncomplaining servants of the British crown for 170 years. |
| "They have shared all sorts of hazards and dangers on battlefields across the globe fighting alongside British soldiers." | "They have shared all sorts of hazards and dangers on battlefields across the globe fighting alongside British soldiers." |
| On Saturday there is an annual fundraising event in Brecon in aid of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, while Sunday sees the town's annual parade by the Mandalay company. | On Saturday there is an annual fundraising event in Brecon in aid of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, while Sunday sees the town's annual parade by the Mandalay company. |
| Meanwhile, the former head of the Army, Sir Mike Jackson, said the Gurkhas were being hit by defence cuts because of their success in boosting their pay and conditions. |