Keith Payne VC Room honours friendship with Nepal
A message from the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group
More than 50 years ago 2 brave soldiers met in London – Keith Payne VC AM from Australia and Captain Rambahadur Limbu VC MVO from Nepal. Though they came from different countries, cultures and languages, they were united by courage, sacrifice, and friendship.
The loss of Captain Limbu, the last living Gurkha Victoria Cross recipient, in 2023 brought the end of an enduring friendship between the 2 Victoria Cross recipients.
This relationship fostered a strong bond between the people of Nepal and Australia. The Nepalese have always celebrated this great friendship and to commemorate it a meeting room named the ‘Keith Payne VC Room’ was established at the Rambahadur Limbu VC Memorial site in his hometown of Damak, Nepal, in October 2025.
The meeting room was officially opened by Mark Donaldson VC; Chairman of the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group (KPVCVBG) Rick Meehan OAM and Vice Chairman Fred Cambell OAM. Unfortunately, Keith Payne VC was unable to attend this auspicious occasion honouring his great friend and requested that Rick and Fred attend to represent him.
To honour Keith and his lifelong friendship with my father, we’ve named the room the Keith Payne VC Room. Foremost, we were extremely honoured to have Mark Donaldson VC, Rick Meehan OAM, and Fred Campbell OAM representing Keith and Australia as they unveil the plaque. May it inspire future generations to serve with pride, live with honour, and value the connections that bring us all together.
- Bhanu Bhakta Limbu, son of Rambahadur Limbu VC
Rambahadur Limbu VC was with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles when he was awarded his VC during the Indonesian Confrontation in 1965. Keith Payne VC was with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam when he received his VC in 1969. For the next 50 years, both men attended the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association reunions every 2 years in London, developing a bond worthy of this recognition.
The room was renovated at the private property and burial place of Limbu VC and a pergola was built outside over his resting place thanks to the kind support of the KPVCVBG. It’s a symbol of friendship, respect, and shared history between these 2 great men and 2 great nations, enabling all veterans and members of the public to come together in the new space.
