THEY have battled courageously in some of the fiercest conflicts in living memory. But this week they faced one of their toughest challenges – gaining recognition for their sacrifices to Britain over the last two centuries.

The Gurkhas have been battling to allow 36,000 former serviceman the right to settle in the UK.

Gordon Brown’s policy towards them was undermined on Thursday when MPs voted to give the former soldiers an equal right of residence in the UK.

However, the vote does not impel the Government to soften its stance, which means the Gurkhas still have an uphill battle on their hands. One glance at their history suggests they are unlikely to be intimidated by such a challenge.

The Gurkhas’ bravery and courage was on display as far back as 1857 during the Indian Mutiny, where in Delhi they fought alongside the British Regiment, 60th Rifles, which became part of the Royal Green Jackets.

In one battle they held Hindu Rao’s house, a key British position, while under continuous fire for more than three months, defeating 26 separate attacks along the way. Of their 490 men, 327 were either killed or injured.

Their reputation for fearlessness was further bolstered in Gallipoli during the First World War. In what was ultimately an unsuccessful operation for the Allies, the 6th Gurkha Rifles excelled. Attempts by Allied forces to take out a Turkish high point had twice failed before the Nepalese scaled the 300ft near-vertical slope and put the enemy to the sword.

So what makes the Nepalese so brave?

Major Gerald Davies, curator of The Gurkha Museum, in Winchester, said one reason was their religion and a belief in the afterlife.

“When you take the oath and give your life to fight for queen or king, the Gurkhas mean it. It’s not just words to them. It’s about not wanting to let the side down,” he said.

“They have given their lives for our causes since 1815 and they have a very different philosophy on life, because they are often Buddhist or Hindu and they join the Army to get a better lifestyle.

“Gurkha people are tough, most of them are farmers.

In Nepal there’s no welfare state – if you don’t grow enough food, then you don’t survive.”

The Gurkhas again came to Britain’s aid in the Second World War, with 112,000 men committed to helping the Allied cause in locations such as Syria, Italy, Greece, Singapore and Burma.

It was in the last country that three Gurkhas earned Victoria Crosses for bravery. One of them, Havildar Gaje Ghale, was leading his platoon against the wellequipped Japanese when he was wounded in the arm, chest and leg by a hand grenade. Instead of retreating, he led his soldiers into a fist fight with the enemy.

An extract from The Story of Gurkha VCs continues the story: “Havildar Gaje Ghale dominated the fight by his outstanding example of dauntless courage and superb leadership.

“Hurling hand grenades, covered in blood from his own neglected wounds, he led assault after assault encouraging his platoon by shouting the Gurkha’s battle cry.

“Spurred on by the irresistible will of their leader to win, the platoon stormed the hill and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese.”

In all, 43,000 members of the Gurkha Brigade died in the world wars. It earned 26 Victoria Crosses, 13 by Gurkhas and 13 by British officers.

In May 1982 Gurkhas were among soldiers who left Southampton on the QE2 to fight in the Falklands War. More recently, Gurkhas have been involved in operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. They have been particularly active in the latter with the Royal Gurkha Rifles seeing action in Helmand Province and also training the Afghan army.

They have strong links with Hampshire. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who later became The Royal Green Jackets, fought with the Gurkhas in The Indian Mutiny of 1857.

In addition, a Gurkha battalion was stationed at Church Crookham, near Fleet, in 1971.

Twelve years later they were given the freedom of the town and today there is a display of Gurkha photographs and memorabilia at The Harlington Centre.