Cpl Kumar Pun RGR killed in Afghanistan

Corporal Kumar Pun, The 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

Corporal Kumar Pun was born on the 30th November 1977 in the Parbat district of Western Nepal. The son of a British Gurkha, he was always destined to try for selection to join one of the most feared Regiments in the world and, after much effort, in 1996 he passed the gruelling selection and joined the British Army.

Following the successful completion of recruit training he was posted to Church Crookham as a Rifleman in A (Delhi) Company the 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles. In A Company he deployed on overseas exercises in Malaysia, Kenya, Oman, Belize and had deployed on Operations in Kosovo and Bosnia. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. In his last posting before deployment to Afghanistan he was a section commander in the Jungle Warfare Wing in Brunei. He was an excellent jungle soldier with unique skills that he passed on to the course students in his own humorous manner.

As Second-in-Command of a Multiple in Afghanistan he had considerable responsibility, both for the administration of the fifteen man team but also tactically, leading men in a most complex and dangerous operational environment. He was a highly valued member of a team that had the critical task of delivering vital training and mentoring to the Afghan National Police.

He consistently proved himself to be a competent commander and mentor and through his own quiet and reassuring style became very successful at teaching the police. His calm and patient teaching style combined with his expert knowledge left a mark on many of the policemen he mentored. The work he conducted without doubt has enabled the police in Gereshk to become more professional and in time more respected by the Afghan civilians.

Corporal Kumar was a first-class soldier who loved soldiering and embraced the challenges it posed. He was a very intelligent and capable individual who spoke a number of languages including English, Hindi, his native Nepali and tribal languages. He was highly regarded and respected by all, a polite and quiet character who was a pleasure to be around. He was a good athlete and a fierce competitor on the sports field. His service to his Battalion was characterised by the highest level of professionalism, loyalty and dedication.

He leaves behind his parents, Dhanbahadur and Sukmaya Pun, a younger brother Santosh, a younger sister Bindu and his wife Parbati and two daughters, Klaudine and Petrina who live in Dover.