Gurkha soldiers win British retirement

01/10/2008 01:51:04

About 2,000 former Gurkha soldiers from Nepal have won the right to retire in Britain as foreign soldiers in the British Army.

The soldiers began a High Court challenge earlier this month against a ruling that meant retirees before 1997 had no automatic right to live in Britain.

All other foreign soldiers in the British Army can settle in Britain after four years service anywhere in the world.

Gurkhas were first recruited by colonial rulers in India in the 19th century as a "martial race", known for their bravery.

They have fought for Britain since 1815, most recently in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia.

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