British actress Joanna Lumley has paid tribute to a Gurkha she credits with saving her father's life, following the war veteran's death on Wednesday (20Apr11).
The Absolutely Fabulous star's dad, Major James Rutherford Lumley, fought alongside the Nepalese soldiers in the British army.
Lumley has long campaigned for Gurkhas who served to be allowed to live in the U.K. and her drive was backed by Tul Bahadur Pun, who she credits with saving her dad's life in 1944.
Earlier this week (20Apr11), Pun, 88, died in Nepal, where he was viewing a school that had been built in his village, Myagdi.
Lumley has now paid tribute to the late soldier, saying, "Ever since I was a small child this man has been my hero. He was a great man, a humble person who dedicated his life to service and our country and in later life to the cause of justice and education.
“People like this come along once in a lifetime and we should celebrate their lives. Now that he has gone, the world is a little bit sadder.”
A funeral will take place in Nepal, while a memorial service is expected to be held in London.