Crown Prince Visits Brunei, Gurkha Soldiers

Seria – His Royal Highness Crown Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman visited the Brunei Garrison Headquarters and the Second Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles in Seria yesterday.

On arrival at the Garrison Sports Pitch in Seria, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri were welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Ian Rigden, Garrison Commander, and Mrs Zoe Rigden; Andrew Caie, British High Commissioner; Captain Paddy Watson, British Defence Adviser; Pehin Colonel Dato Haji Abdu'r Rahmani, Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces; and, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yussop bin Bakar, Belait District Officer.

Shortly after their arrival at the Tuker Lines, the Crown Prince received the royal salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by personnel of the Second Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

This was followed by the signing of the souvenir book by Their Royal Highnesses.

For local civilians employed in various departments of the Second Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, this was an unforgettable moment for them when they had the opportunity to mingle with the royal couple.

Nearly 300 local civilians work at the Tuker Lines.

Before attending to their separate itineraries, Their Royal Highnesses heard a briefing on the operations and backgrounds of the Tuker Lines.

The briefing was given by Lieutenant Colonel Ian Rigden.

The Association of the Brigade of Gurkhas with Brunei dates back to 1962. In addition to the resident Gurkha Infantry Battalion, specialist organisations were formed to augment the Battalion's capability.

For example, the Battalion originally possessed an air platoon, which operated Sioux helicopters for casevac, reconnaissance and limited troop movement duties.

From the Tuker Lines, His Royal Highness Crown Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah went on separate programmes.

The Crown Prince took off to the Bukit Puan Bridge to observe jungle training activities and garrison capabilities.

His Royal Highness was accompanied at the training ground by the Garrison Commander.

Here, the Crown Prince was welcomed by Captain J. Murray and proceeded to view a military demonstration called 'tracking', followed by manoeuvres called ‘quick attack’.

The Crown Prince also viewed a Static Exhibition of the 7th Flight Army Air Corps called 'Op Garron'.

The operation involved units in the Humanitarian Aid Mission for the tsunami victims in Aceh.

The Crown Prince also boarded a hard hull riverine craft used for river patrol.

While His Royal Highness watched jungle military training, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri toured the Hornbill School nearby.

On arrival, the royal visitor was greeted by Mrs Kathy Wood, the School Headmistress.

In honour of the royal visit, school children performed a variety of stage shows comprising of dances, music and art at the assembly hall.

The school caters to children of the Gurkha and British army.

Currently, some 270 children aged between three and eleven years old attend the school.

For these children, the interest shown by Her Royal Highness would be remembered especially when Her Royal Highness spent time to view and appreciate their artisan creativity.

Later, Her Royal Highness received a souvenir and unveiled a new plaque for the school.

From the Hornbill school, Her Royal Highness paid a visit to the Families Community Centre of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Welcoming Her Royal Highness was the Gurkha Major Harkaraj Rai and his wife Mrs Shreelaxmi Rai.

At the centre, Her Royal Highness mingled with the wives of the Gurkha army personnel, and had the opportunity to view handicrafts by families at the Brunei Garrison.

Before luncheon at the British Officers Mess in Jalan Maulana in Kuala Belait, both Their Royal Highnesses signed the souvenir book to commemorate their visit.

They also mingled informally with officers of the Brunei Garrison and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The luncheon ended with a presentation of pasambah from members of the British Officers Mess. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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