I lived in North Camp, next door to Aldershot. When I was living there, there were no Ghurkas based there, either in North Camp or in Aldershot.
The problem that the celebrity got us into, when she led the campaign to bully the last government, is that now each individual Ghurka soldier costs the MoD a lot more money to maintain, than the British soldier does, because the State has to get every one of their family members over, settle them here, and provide everything for them and their children.
In Aldershot, when I was in that area, the local people had to share the building estates with retired soldiers, as many would want to settle in Aldershot and the surrounding areas, such as Farnborough.
There was already then some tension because of it, quite understandably.
Soldiers based in Aldershot or North Camp usually live with their families in estates belonging to the Army, as we did, but on leaving the Army, which is usualy before retirement, very many sought to remain in the area, and find work there, but had to go to the civilian housing estates.
So by adding about 10,000 Ghurka civilians to the population of Aldershot, the government has shown clear signs of civil disruption within their range of common sense.
When the Ghurka soldiers joined the Army, they had a contract, and they agreed to it: they wouldn't settle in Britain.
Now we can all foot the bill to accomodate their families and grandchildren, who are not even in the Army!!!
Good God!
