28 June 2025 | The Gurkha Centre | Hayes | By Hari Bhandari
At The Gurkha Centre, we are privileged to witness daily acts of kindness and courage that rarely make headlines but deeply impact lives. On this Armed Forces Day, we shine a light on one such unsung hero from the 2nd/2nd Gurkha Rifles — Retired Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Hari Bahadur Pun, a proud Gurkha veteran from Hounslow, whose quiet dedication exemplifies the true spirit of service.
On Monday, 23 June 2025, The Gurkha Centre was contacted by the niece of Mrs Rup Maya Pun, an elderly Gurkha widow, who had been experiencing worsening health symptoms over the previous two months—shortness of breath, leg oedema, cellulitis, and pain. Unfortunately, complications with her passport renewal had resulted in incorrect date-of-birth records, making it difficult to secure a GP appointment. The situation was made more stressful by the GP surgery informing the family that Mrs Pun was not registered at all.
Our Welfare Staff and Trainee Social Worker quickly intervened—liaising with the surgery, rectifying the records, and securing an urgent appointment. The very next day, Mrs Pun was assessed by a Physician Associate (PA), prescribed antibiotics and diuretics, and underwent blood tests and ECG screening. Although hospitalisation was considered, the GP team opted for close monitoring and booked a follow-up for Friday, 27 June 2025.
On the day of her follow-up appointment, we once again supported Mrs Pun by providing language assistance and coordination. The review indicated slight improvement in cellulitis, but persistent shortness of breath and swelling prompted a referral to Ambulatory Care Unit at West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH) for further investigations—specifically a D-Dimer test and chest X-ray to rule out the risk of blood clots.
This is where Retired WO2 Hari Bahadur Pun quietly stepped in.
Knowing that our small team was overwhelmed with scheduled commitments—including a busy clinic and our monthly Veterans Café—Mr Pun calmly offered to escort Mrs Pun to the hospital himself. Despite being an older veteran managing his own complex health conditions, he assured us: “I will eat something quickly, take my medicines later, and ensure she is seen today. You go back and help others who are waiting for you.”
His English skills enabled him to communicate clearly at the hospital reception, answer queries on behalf of Mrs Pun, and ensure her blood tests and X-rays were completed on the same day. When we checked on him later, he humbly reported he had returned home, taken his medications, and was resting—grateful he could help.
This is the spirit of service we honour today.
WO2 Hari Bahadur Pun may be retired, but his dedication to duty, community, and compassion remains active and unwavering. He is a reminder that leadership does not retire with uniform—and that real heroism lies in ordinary acts done with extraordinary empathy.
On this Armed Forces Day, we salute Retired WO2 Hari Bahadur Pun and many others like him—veterans who continue to serve their communities with humility and strength. We also wish Mrs Pun a speedy recovery and assure her of our continued support.
Let us remember: Service is not always about medals or parades. Sometimes, it’s about showing up when no one else can.
