A Very Fond Farewell
It is with more than a tinge of sadness tempered by the knowledge that he will return that we say a fond farewell to Staff Sgt Samir Malla of The Queens Own Logistics Regiment. He is being redeployed to his homeland of Nepal for the next two years which I hope will pass quickly and we meet again. I first met “Sammy” as he likes to be called at an FFF gathering at Avon Springs fishery Eight years ago. He had sought me out as the organiser of the FFF event that day and with a soft greeting of “Namaste” (a gentle respectful greeting used by the people of Nepal) he explained he enjoyed fishing and asked what the rules were and asked if he would be permitted to join the group.
I explained there were no rules and that the charity had been formed specifically for veterans and serving members of HMAF of which he was obviously one and it would be a pleasure to have his company. He was a little surprised and his faced literally beamed as I told him to choose a rod and commence fishing. From that day we formed a bond and friendship that is not easily explained but the following few years saw more and more of his compatriots turning up at numerous FFF events and rapidly passing from novice’s to competent anglers in fly fishing in a very short time.
It was I have to say down to many FFF mentors patiently taking the novices under their wing and teaching them the rudiments of Fly fishing so patiently and their own enthusiasm and determination that turned them into the one’s to watch as they started to enter numerous competitions and consistently winning. Two of them proved so competent they were selected to join a team and represent the Army in numerous competitions winning praise on many occasions.
In 2016 / 17 “Sammy” approached me on the subject of starting a Regimental Fly fishing club and we discussed the basic requirements, a club name, badge / logo and tackle. He set to with great enthusiasm and help from his officers and fellow Gurkhas and in a short space of time he had formed “The Koshi Fly Fishing” club with the regimental badge and kindly insisting they include the FFF badge on each sleeve.
NB. The Koshi is the largest river in Nepal.
As I and FFF had contacts with several great people in the angling fraternity guiding “Sammy” in the right direction was a small part to play and a distinct pleasure and my being made an “Honorary Gurkha and Koshi Club” member filled me with more pride than I can describe and those who know me know I am not often lost for words.
As their club grew (25 at last count) they took a perverse pleasure on turning up and laying in wait quietly at several FFF events over the years. Then creeping up behind me as I was giving the H&S talk to our guests for the day and announcing their presence with a gentle “Namaste Mr Bill how are you today, are then any spaces, can we assist in any way”? This always scared the xxxx out of me as I was in the habit of checking all round after the first time they did it. They still got me much to the amusement of the guests who saw them coming but kindly gave me no inkling they were there.
It was always a genuine pleasure to make them welcome and to be in their company as they are quiet unassuming people except when fishing starts and the fun begins with I assume ribald remarks often in their own language which I suspect were not always complimentary especially when one of them lost a fish. They stoically refused to tell me what “you pratt” is in Nepalese. On numerous occasions they consistently offered to assist in many ways and I personally, and many in FFF will always be grateful for their company and unstinting support. At day’s end they always thanked everybody profusely with whom they had shared the day.
Sammy has handed the Koshi Club reins to a fellow Gurkha and we will no doubt see them regularly at the waterside until he returns.
I have been around long enough and under normal circumstances I usually sense someone observing or coming up behind me but these buggers emanate such a powerful aura of peace on approach it is no wonder they have few equal’s in HMAF to compare with them. Once a party is considered “the enemy” during conflict I think they the enemy, should quickly surrender or face the consequences which I suspect could be quite terminal if you get my drift.
I and all at FFF will miss him and we wish him well, a safe journey and a swift return to join us at the waterside having served this country over many years and through several conflicts. He modestly rarely speaks of his service to our country but on the rare occasion he does he rightly does so with great pride. The least we can do upon his return is, first welcome him with a gentle “Namaste” and then ask when he can join us at the waterside.
Travel safe and Screaming reels with regular tights lines my friend.
Bill and all at FFF.
I explained there were no rules and that the charity had been formed specifically for veterans and serving members of HMAF of which he was obviously one and it would be a pleasure to have his company. He was a little surprised and his faced literally beamed as I told him to choose a rod and commence fishing. From that day we formed a bond and friendship that is not easily explained but the following few years saw more and more of his compatriots turning up at numerous FFF events and rapidly passing from novice’s to competent anglers in fly fishing in a very short time.
It was I have to say down to many FFF mentors patiently taking the novices under their wing and teaching them the rudiments of Fly fishing so patiently and their own enthusiasm and determination that turned them into the one’s to watch as they started to enter numerous competitions and consistently winning. Two of them proved so competent they were selected to join a team and represent the Army in numerous competitions winning praise on many occasions.
In 2016 / 17 “Sammy” approached me on the subject of starting a Regimental Fly fishing club and we discussed the basic requirements, a club name, badge / logo and tackle. He set to with great enthusiasm and help from his officers and fellow Gurkhas and in a short space of time he had formed “The Koshi Fly Fishing” club with the regimental badge and kindly insisting they include the FFF badge on each sleeve.
NB. The Koshi is the largest river in Nepal.
As I and FFF had contacts with several great people in the angling fraternity guiding “Sammy” in the right direction was a small part to play and a distinct pleasure and my being made an “Honorary Gurkha and Koshi Club” member filled me with more pride than I can describe and those who know me know I am not often lost for words.
As their club grew (25 at last count) they took a perverse pleasure on turning up and laying in wait quietly at several FFF events over the years. Then creeping up behind me as I was giving the H&S talk to our guests for the day and announcing their presence with a gentle “Namaste Mr Bill how are you today, are then any spaces, can we assist in any way”? This always scared the xxxx out of me as I was in the habit of checking all round after the first time they did it. They still got me much to the amusement of the guests who saw them coming but kindly gave me no inkling they were there.
It was always a genuine pleasure to make them welcome and to be in their company as they are quiet unassuming people except when fishing starts and the fun begins with I assume ribald remarks often in their own language which I suspect were not always complimentary especially when one of them lost a fish. They stoically refused to tell me what “you pratt” is in Nepalese. On numerous occasions they consistently offered to assist in many ways and I personally, and many in FFF will always be grateful for their company and unstinting support. At day’s end they always thanked everybody profusely with whom they had shared the day.
Sammy has handed the Koshi Club reins to a fellow Gurkha and we will no doubt see them regularly at the waterside until he returns.
I have been around long enough and under normal circumstances I usually sense someone observing or coming up behind me but these buggers emanate such a powerful aura of peace on approach it is no wonder they have few equal’s in HMAF to compare with them. Once a party is considered “the enemy” during conflict I think they the enemy, should quickly surrender or face the consequences which I suspect could be quite terminal if you get my drift.
I and all at FFF will miss him and we wish him well, a safe journey and a swift return to join us at the waterside having served this country over many years and through several conflicts. He modestly rarely speaks of his service to our country but on the rare occasion he does he rightly does so with great pride. The least we can do upon his return is, first welcome him with a gentle “Namaste” and then ask when he can join us at the waterside.
Travel safe and Screaming reels with regular tights lines my friend.
Bill and all at FFF.
