After service in the Merchant Service I served two years mostly in Egypt with The 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry ( 0f 73rd and 74th) 1953-5. My Stepfather served 18 years same Regt, and so did his father serve likewise. I attended annual re-unions at Duke of Yorks etc., as a boy up to 2 days before i joined the Regt.
Then in the 1970's I visited my Bn at Gordon Barracks Bulford with my 5 children. My adjt was now Commanding Officer (Lt Col) and my old training lance-corporal was RSM. I was invited to the next annual re-union, and had a great evening with old comrades.
Incidently, my wife was a daughter of the Wilts regt, and spent her early years in India, until the outbreak of WW11. Her father served 28 years, onme spell of 10 years in India and went back for a second spell. He also served in China and Palestine. His brother seved with him, and so did his brother-in-law Reg Whitmarsh, who became RSM and after his European campaign in Europe, Monte Casino etc., was with the Glorious Gloucesters famous stand in Korea. All these men were big fans of the Ghurkas, who, as it happens, are now being sent to the Middle East; yes, we still have a few of our great Ghurkas.
The Highland Light Infantry have been in the current Iraq campaign as The Royal Highland Fusiliers or the latest Highland figuration, and have lost men.
There are immense ties between Britain and India.