Honour a Gurkha hero - Preserve a shared history - Inspire future generations.

The British Gurkhas Nepalese Community Dartford are raising £100,000 to build a permanent memorial statue of Havildar Gaje Ghale VC, one of the bravest Gurkha soldiers to serve alongside British forces during the Second World War.

This memorial will be installed in Central Park, Dartford creating a place of remembrance that honours not only Gaje Ghale’s extraordinary courage, but also the over 250,000 Gurkha soldiers who served with the British Armed Forces in the World Wars.

Your support will help ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten.

The Story of Extraordinary Courage

In May 1943, during the fierce fighting of the Burma Campaign, Havildar Gaje Ghale led his platoon in an attack against heavily defended Japanese positions in the Chin Hills. During the battle he was severely wounded by a grenade, but instead of retreating, he continued to lead his men forward.

Shouting the Gurkha battle cry “Ayo Gurkhali!”, he inspired his soldiers to charge the enemy position in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Despite heavy casualties, Ghale led his men to capture the hill and secure victory.

For his “dauntless courage and superb leadership”, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

Why This Memorial Matters

This project is about more than a statue. It is about honouring history, recognising sacrifice, and celebrating community. For over 200 years, Gurkha soldiers have fought alongside British forces around the world. Their bravery has become legendary, earning them global respect. Yet their story is still not widely known. The Gaje Ghale VC Memorial will:

• Honour the bravery of Gurkha soldiers

• Recognise the historic partnership between Britain and Nepal

• Educate future generations about the Burma Campaign

• Celebrate the Nepalese communities in Dartford

• Create a lasting historical landmark in Dartford Central Park

Why Dartford?

Dartford has a growing Nepalese and Gurkha community, many of whom have strong connections to British military service. This memorial will provide a visible recognition of their contribution to Britain’s history while strengthening the cultural connection between the community and the town.

It will also create a place of reflection, education, and pride for future generations.

Our Fundraising Goal 🎯 Target: £100,000

Funds will support:

• Statue design and sculpting

• Bronze casting and materials

• Memorial stone and donor inscriptions

• Installation and landscaping in Dartford Park

• Educational plaque and memorial book

• Project coordination and administration

The project aims to be completed within three years of the official launch date of 15 Apr 26 with Dartford Borough Council.

Donor Recognition

We want to recognise those who help make this memorial possible. The rock inscription. A maximum of 30 characters per line is allowed for donations of £500 and above. Donors contributing between £500 and £1,000 may, if required, pay £5 per additional character to use another line.

For donations over £1,000, some consideration will be made and the above rules may be relaxed. Within the 30 character limit, the names up to two people, possibly husband and wife, or The name of a business or community ,society and a person based on it can be written.

£20+ Your name listed in the Memorial Book

£500+ Your name will be engraved on the Memorial Rock

Donors who donated more than £500 you may verify contacting Kul Ghale :07554940096 and Tilak Rai at the number 07818703581 just to ensure their names are not missed for engraved on the Memorial Rock.

£1,000+ Priority recognition and additional inscription consideration

Anonymous donations are also welcome. After receiving the Ashes Vaults from the Council’s donation to another society related to this project, certain concessions will be made to donors, of the BGNC Dartford members and also to the local Nepali society supporting the G. G. Project.

Community-Led Project

The project is coordinated by Kul Bahadur Ghale on behalf of the British Gurkha Nepalese community in Dartford working closely with Dartford Borough Council and Headquarter Brigade of Gurkhas to bring this memorial to life. The project team is committed to full transparency.

• All donations will be recorded and publicly accounted for

• Funds will be managed through the official G. G. Memorial Project account

• If the project cannot proceed, all donations will be returned to donors

How You Can Help

Every donation — large or small — helps us build this historic memorial. By supporting this campaign, you are helping to preserve the legacy of one of the most courageous soldiers in Gurkha history.

Together we can ensure that the bravery of Havildar Gaje Ghale VC and the sacrifices of Gurkha soldiers are remembered for generations.

Please help by sharing this campaign with your friends, family, community and wider public specially local public of Dartford and surrounding areas peoples. Your support will help turn this vision into a lasting tribute.