Remember Gurkha pensioners and widows at their time of need

As Remembrance Sunday approaches, you may wish to consider donating to the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT).  A donation to the Trust will help to support retired Gurkha soldiers and their families.

The Nepal Earthquake may have disappeared from the news headlines, but the realities of the aftermath are still very much a part of the lives of many people there. The two earthquakes that devastated Nepal during April and May were of a scale not seen seen since the 1930s.  8,800 lives were lost, including 13 Gurkha pensioners.  Infrastructure was shattered and communities and homes left in rubble.

To date the GWT has received 2,121 applications for help in rebuilding and repairing homes.  Of these the homes of 1,200 veterans and widows have been completely destroyed and will require a total rebuild.

Can you help with a small donation?  If so click here.

KOSB Malaya Veterans

The First Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers (1 KOSB) served in Malaya from 1955 to 1958, a tour of duty that spanned independence (Merdeka) day on 31st August 1957.

On Thursday 17th September 2015 the KOSB Malaya Veterans' Annual All Ranks Reunion Dinner was held in Peebles in the Scottish Borders, with a special focus on the 60th Anniversary of the Regiments' arrival in Malaya in September 1955.  Over 130 people attended and it was a truly memorable occasion.

Summer promotion - 'Merdeka' free on Kindle for 5 days

'Merdeka' will be free for download on Kindle from 31st July to 4th August 2015 inclusive (there may be variations due to time zones).  Keep checking your local Amazon store.

Check out the book's reviews.  The eBook was first published in November 2011 and the print book in January 2012.  Since then thousands of copies have been sold or downloaded (many thanks to all readers!)

How to get the book

Work on the next book,  is progressing, although it is not yet possible to give a publication date - it is set in Malaya during the Second World War.

Two more 5 Star reviews for 'Merdeka'

Many thanks to another two readers for their kind reviews posted on Amazon's UK site.  All reviews are really appreciated and extracts can be seen on the Review Page of this blog.

This is an excellent book I served in Malaya during the emergency and reading this book made me relive it all again ,including the wonderful love affair. I recommend this book to all who are interested in the emergency years.(the so called forgotten war)
H. Whitehead

It was a captivating read, I had no idea what the book was going to be like but found the plot gripping.
D. McBride

How to get the book.

Support the Gurkha Welfare Trust to help the people of Nepal

Soldiers from Nepal have fought for Britain since 1815, and several of the characters in 'Merdeka' are Gurkha soldiers.  The 200th Anniversary of British Army Gurkhas (G200) has sadly been over-shadowed by the Nepal earthquake.  While it may fade from global headlines, the people of Nepal will be suffering its after-effects for years to come.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) is the leading Gurkha charity, providing financial, medical and development aid to Gurkha veterans, their families and communities.

Another five star customer review for 'Merdeka' on Amazon's UK site.  All reviews are really appreciated and extracts can be seen on the Review Page of this blog. Many thanks to "Al" for the following:

A book of three parts: first, preparation for action by both sides (with just a bit too much detail in places for my taste, eg: every item of kit detailed, what order people get into and out of the helicopters, etc); second, the action itself and the immediate aftermath; third, a love story.
Put like that, it does not sound like my cup of tea but they all hang together well and I really enjoyed it.
Well written; good pace; good character development; good background on the communist insurgency and how it was dealt with; good descriptions of the country and weather.
Looking forward to more from this author.

How to get the book.