A WEYMOUTH Gurkha is preparing for an emotional family reunion following yesterday’s landmark decision to grant the Nepalese soldiers British residency.

The Government eventually relented under fierce public pressure to allow soldiers who retired before 1997 to settle in this country.

For Dhan Bahadur Gurung, owner of Weymouth’s Gurkha Restaurant, it means his exiled brother, Yam, and brother-in-law, Sher, will finally be able to reunite with their family.

Having retired before 1997, they have lived in the USA since 2002, patiently awaiting the good news that finally arrived yesterday.

“They are very excited about coming over here,” said Dhan.

“Of course, we will be celebrating.

“It is what the family has been hoping for.

“It will be great to have them around. I never thought it would happen.”

Dhan, now 48, previously lived in the USA himself but moved to Britain in 2004.

He was able to settle as he retired from the Army in 2000 – well beyond the controversial 1997 cut-off – but he has not seen his family since the day he left the States.

Dhan said his relatives, who have been living and working in New York, may well come to Dorset. “They are very keen to come and join the family,” he said.

Dhan’s wife, Sushma, will be reunited with her brother, while his son Subin and daughter Sushmita will welcome back their uncles.

Subin, 19, is currently finishing at Blandford School, ready to head off to university in September, while Sushmita, 10, will shortly be starting at Wey Valley School.

Yesterday’s announcement prompted celebration among the Gurkha community. The Nepalese soldiers, honoured for their bravery and strength, have been pursuing their right to settle in Britain for many years.

Campaign figurehead Joanna Lumley, whose father served in a Gurkha regiment, declared ‘a great injustice’ had been righted.

A turning point came when the Government embarrassingly lost a House of Commons vote on the matter earlier this month, prompting a ministerial rethink.

All Gurkha veterans with four years’ service will now be allowed to move to the UK.

Dhan loyally served the British Army for 21 years, joining in 1979, and completed tours of Kosovo, Bosnia and the Falklands during his service.

On retirement, he initially moved to New York, where he ran the Tasty Curry restaurant, close to the Empire State Building.

But he chose to move back to Britain in 2004 as his children were born and bred in England.

The new rules allow Gurkhas who retired before 1997 with four years’ service to settle here with their immediate families.

It is expected that up to 15,000 former soldiers may settle in Britain over the next two years.

They will be allowed to bring their partners and children under 18.

But they will not be given the same pension rights as those who retired after 1997, another controversial decision likely to remain a matter of some debate.

Campaigners point out that some 50,000 Gurkhas have been killed in service and have won 13 Victoria Crosses defending their adopted country.