Gurkha legend Lieutenant Colonel J P Cross OBE marks centenary

Kathmandu: One of the most renowned British Officers in the history of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Lieutenant Colonel J P Cross OBE, has reached 100 years of age, and the extraordinary occasion was marked with a fervent celebration at the British Gurkhas Nepal camp in Pokhara.

Lieutenant Colonel John Philip Cross OBE, popularly known as JP Cross, served together with the
Gurkhas in the British Army for nearly 40 years, when he earned legendary respect because of his
experience, leadership, and devotion to his units.

Following retirement from a very rich service accounting numerous deployments, he has been living in Nepal for the last 49 years, the latter years as an official Nepali citizen. Now fond of being called a ‘Nepali born in Britain’, the retired Officer recalls his first arrival in Nepal with the British Army 80 years ago at the age of 21.

He has authored 19 books on his lifelong military service and knowledge and in his remarks and
recollections, has always held the Gurkhas in high esteem. His passion for Nepal, its people and the
Gurkhas has cemented his name in Nepal and the Gurkha community, while his knowledge
expressed in his writing has gained good recognition in the wider military world.

Addressing the event attended by Julia Fenn, wife of the British Ambassador to Nepal, Gurkha
veterans and serving officers and staff, Colonel Dan Rex MVO, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal
urged all to reflect how the milestone celebration resonated beyond the camp in Pokhara to all of the Brigade of Gurkhas and British Army.

‘It is also a moment being closely watched and related by many Nepalis who are proud of their association with JP Saheb,’ he said.

In addition to his distinguished career as an officer and author, Lt Col (Retd) J P Cross OBE is
recognised as an expert in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency, with experience as a police officer, defence attaché, and Gurkha recruitment officer. He is also a highly skilled linguist, fluent in Nepali and its dialects.

His military service spans Burma, Indo-China, Malaya, Borneo, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, and Nepal, among other regions. He now lives a settled life in Pokhara, Nepal—the home of Gurkha recruitment—with his godson and family.

Back when 93 years, with his sharp sense of humour, he had quipped: “Call me old when I am 100.”
Maybe it’s time to dig more humour out of J P Saheb.