It seemed appropriate that, as the OPs were former cadets at a naval college, the event should be held
at a military establishment on VE Day. The fact that it happened to be the Gurkha Museum was
coincidental. In it interesting to note that the Gurkhas were formed by the British East India Company
in 1815 and officially became part of the British Army in 1858, following the Indian Mutiny.
Over 130,000 Gurkhas served in various theatres of war during World War II. While VE Day marked the
end of the war in Europe, many Gurkha units were still actively involved in the Burma Campaign and
other theatres of war in the Far East, particularly against Japan, which continued until Victory over Japan
Day (VJ Day) on August 15, 1945. 

Mark Dumas (1964-68) (OPS President) father had served in the 8th Gurkhas, so the museum’s exhibits
were of special interest to him. Other OPs and guests, who had not visited the museum before, took the
opportunity before drinks to look around the well-laid out and presented exhibits.

When everyone had been seated, Robin Paine (1955-58), who organised the event, proposed the toasts
to the Gurkhas, Absent Friends, Pangbourne College and the King, after which Phillip Plato (1973-77),
past OPS Chairman and now Vice Chairman, a newly created post, gave a brief encouraging report on
how the College was coping in these difficult times.

The curry was self-service with an array of dishes and the opportunity to top up for seconds and even
thirds. Many returned for the former, but the latter was a bridge too far. A very replete group OPs and
their guests departed the museum mid-afternoon with many asking for a repeat event next year.