The South's Gurkhas have lost their appeal for equal pension rights. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled the Government acted within its rights by denying a full British Army pension to those who served before 1997.
They have the reputation of being the most determined of fighters.
But today former Gurkha soldiers based in the South have been forced to accept defeat - over their pension rights.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Government acted within its rights by denying Gurkhas who served before 1997 a full British Army pension.
At the moment, only Gurkha soldiers who retired AFTER July 1997 are eligible for the same pension as other former Army personnel.
Those who left the service before, receive around a third of the pension which can leave many - including those living in places like Aldershot in Hampshire - on the poverty line. Mel Bloor reports.
Mel spoke to Gurkha veteran Gyanraj Rai from Reading and campaigner Peter Carroll.
VIDEO: Our report with former Gurkhas in the south east, devastated at today's defeat over pension rights
Former Gurkhas across the south say they're devastated that their last attempt to secure equal pension rights has failed.