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Gurkha Ex- Far East Prisoners of War

Background

• The British Government announced in 2002 that the ex gratia scheme for Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW), introduced in 2000, would be extended to include Prisoners of War who were Gurkha soldiers in the old British Indian Army and who were captured and held prisoner by the Japanese during the 2nd World War.
• The FEPOW Ex- Gratia Payment Team (part of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency) based at Norcross has taken over responsibility for Gurkha FEPOW claims.

Gurkha FEPOW Criteria

a. Surviving former members of the Armed Forces of the Crown who were Nepalese citizens in 1951 and who were held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese during the Second World War.

b. Surviving former servicemen who received payment under Article 16 of the 1951 Treaty of Peace with Japan under the auspices of the UK Government.

c. Surviving members of the Merchant Navy (those persons who were imprisoned or engaged on or for service as mariners in a British ship) who were imprisoned by the Japanese in the Far East during the Second World War.

d. The surviving widow or widower of a deceased person who would otherwise have been entitled under categories a, b or c providing they were still married at the time of the entitled persons death.

Claiming

• Potential claimants can register their interest by completing the
  Gurkha FEPOW Registration of Interest proforma (click here) and submitting to the team at the address below.
• Application packs can be obtained from Gurkha Area Welfare Centres located throughout Nepal.
• Claim forms can be obtained from the FEPOW Ex- Gratia Payment Team.

Contact details

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Norcross,Thornton-Cleveleys
Lancashire, England. FY5 3WP
Freeline (UK only): 0800 169 22 77
Tel (Overseas): + 44 1 253 866043
Textphone: 0800 169 34 58
E-mail: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Internet: www.veterans-uk.info

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