The Brigade of Gurkhas 1815-2015

The Brigade of Gurkhas 1815-2015

200th Anniversary Brochure

Contents Introduction Page 1 Foreword by the President, Gurkha Brigade Association

Page 2

Foreword by the Chairman, Gurkha Brigade Association

Page 4

The Brigade of Gurkhas – 200 years in pictures

Page 6

1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)

Page 32

2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

Page 34

3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Page 38

4th Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Page 40

5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)

Page 42

6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Page 44

7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Page 48

8th Gurkha Rifles Page 52 9th Gurkha Rifles Page 54 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Page 56

11th Gurkha Rifles Page 60 Gurkha Military Police Page 61 Airborne Gurkhas Page 62 The Royal Gurkha Rifles Page 64 The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers Page 70 Queens’ Gurkha Signals Page 74 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

Page 78

The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas

Page 82

Gurkha Staff & Personnel Support Company

Page 84

Gurkha Roll of Honour Page 86

Introduction This anniversary brochure has been produced by the Gurkha Brigade Association.

The Gurkha Brigade Association is the representative body of all the individual Regimental Associations, past and present, of the Brigade of Gurkhas. All serving and retired officers and soldiers of the Brigade are members.

The Association is responsible for ensuring the customs and traditions of the Brigade, hard won over 200 years of service to the Crown, are upheld and represented in a proper manner to a wider public. In support of this, the Association raises funds to establish and maintain key Brigade memorials such as the Gurkha Statue in Whitehall and the Brigade “Chautara” at the National Arboretum. In addition the Association represents retired members of the Brigade at key national events, including the annual Field of Remembrance Service at Westminster Abbey and the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph Parade.

The Association has a wider remit. It funds events to help serving and retired personnel to come together in a social environment and reinforce the Brigade’s esprit de corps as well as working closely with the Gurkha Welfare Trust to assist in the provision of welfare support.

The Association also has the important role of advising the Brigade and, where appropriate the Ministry of Defence, on the development of Brigade policy as well as ensuring the interests of the Brigade’s retired community are not forgotten.

1

Foreword 2015 marks 200 years of exceptional service by Gurkhas to the British Crown. This bi-centenary provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and to commemorate the extraordinary martial qualities of the Gurkha Soldier: his temperament; his loyal and selfless service; and his supreme courage in battle. Our Gurkhas have served and continue to serve all around the world with great distinction and commitment carrying on what is in many cases a multi-generational tradition, while maintaining the highest professional standards required of them today on the contemporary battlefield.

By Lieutenant General (Retd) Sir David Bill KCB President, Gurkha Brigade Association

2

In concert with the Gurkha Welfare Trust, the Brigade plans to hold a number of high profile events to mark Gurkha 200 in Nepal and in the UK with the aim of bringing together all those with an interest in this remarkable achievement and to enhance support for the continuing work of the Gurkha Welfare Trust. In Nepal we have planned a large bhela for 1500 retired Gurkhas and their families to be attended by our Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton and the Chief of the Army Staff of Nepal, General Gaurav SJB Rana as well as a number of other senior officers from both the British and Nepalese Armies.

It is also intended to mount an expedition to Everest in May 2015. Meanwhile the Indian Army, which has more than 30,000 Gurkhas in its ranks today, is also planning a number of regimental events.

In the UK a whole series of events are planned around the country throughout 2015. The serving Brigade will conduct London public duties in May and this will include a presentation of the Queen’s Truncheon to Her Majesty. There is also to be a memorial service centred around the Gurkha Statue in Whitehall on 30th April. The major event of the year in UK is to be a Gurkha 200 pageant to be held at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea with twin aims of providing an appropriate showcase event and in raising funds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust as it attends to the growing challenge of providing care in the community for our increasingly aged population of welfare pensioners.

So I hope that you will find the time to attend some of these events and to celebrate with us this bicentenary. We should also be most grateful for your continuing support to the Gurkha Welfare Trust campaign to sustain our duty of care to our welfare pensioners. Any donation however small is most gratefully received.

With all good wishes

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3

Foreword We owe the people of Nepal a great deal: as part of both the Indian and British Armies, Gurkhas have now served the British Crown for 200 years, and Nepal has always been a close ally throughout many major conflicts. We have been honoured to count these proud and resolute warriors as our comrades and none of us is in any doubt as to the huge debt of honour that we, as a nation, owe these magnificent warriors from Nepal – fearless in war, strong in adversity, and the staunchest and most loyal of friends.

By Brigadier (Retd) John Anderson

Chairman, Gurkha Brigade Association

4

In the last century alone 270,000 men from the hills have served in the Brigade. Our soldiers have earned a world-wide reputation for their courage, their toughness and their professionalism, and are admired by our allies and feared by our enemies, with a reputation second to none. We have won 26 Victoria Crosses. But this reputation has been earned at a high cost: since 1914, 15,000 of our men have been killed and 45,000 wounded on battlefields around the world: in the recent Afghanistan campaign alone there have been 15 fatalities and 51 wounded. We remember these men with sadness but also with pride.

We try to repay this Debt of Honour as best we can. Those of us who served in the Brigade made a compact with our soldiers that we would support eachother to the best of our abilities, and this commitment does not cease on retirement: we remain determined to help any of our retired soldiers who need support,

anywhere and at anytime. Our Gurkha Welfare Trust leads the way here, and makes a huge difference to the lives of our old soldiers and to their communities, ensuring that they live out their lives in safety, good health, and with their pride undiminished: it is the very least that we can do.

At the unveiling of the Gurkha War memorial in the Gorakhpur Cemetery in 1928 Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood said: “World peace has not yet dawned.

The last war has yet to be fought and whilst we are earnestly desirous of peace, we must prepare for war. When or where the next war will be fought none can tell. But this I confidently say, that it will find you Gurkhas ready to take up arms again as our Allies, to do battle for the right, true as ever to your old saying “Kafar hunnu bhanda marnu ramro chha”.

Let us all celebrate our 200th Anniversary together with pride and in friendship.

With best wishes,

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5

The Brigade Of Gurkhas 200 Years in Pictures

6

Above: An illustration of Gurkha warriors c. 1814-16 Right (top): An illustration of the 2nd Gurkhas action at Koonja fort, 1824 Right (bottom): An early photograph of Gurkhas, 8th Gurkhas officers and men, c. 1860’s

Left (top): Indian Mutiny veteran Gurkhas, c. 1911 Left (bottom): 4th Gurkhas in China, c. 1900 Below: 3rd Gurkhas Machine Gun Section, c. 1910

7

8

Above: Mounted Gurkha scout, possibly 5GR, North West Frontier, c. 1911 Right (top): 2nd Gurkhas, North East Frontier c. 1911 Right (bottom): 2nd Gurkhas training, France, c. 1915

Left (top): Sharpening kukris, France, c 1915 Left (bottom): Mesopotamia, 1917 Below: 7th Gurkha with a Royal Highlander, c. 1917

9

10

Above: 4th Gurkhas training, c. 1943 Right (top): Burma campaign Right (bottom): Helping a wounded comrade, Burma

Left (top): Soldiers from 2/7th Gurkhas, having evaded capture at Tobruk, arrive at Allied lines, 1942 Left (bottom): Digging in, Burma Campaign Below: The indomitable Gurkha, river crossing, Burma Campaign

11

12

Above: Bath time, Italy 1944 Right (top): Naik Agansing Rai VC, 5GR and team with captured Japanese medium machine gun, Burma, 1944 Right (bottom): Action at Wadi Akarit, North Africa, 1943

Left (top): Anti-tank action, North Africa, 1942/43 Left (bottom): Kohima, Burma, 1944 Below: House to house fighting, Italy, 1944Above: Mule train, Chindit operations, Burma, 1944 Right (top): The approach to Monte Cassino, 1944Right (bottom):Men of the 3/10th Gurkhas on Scraggy, near Imphal, July 1944

13

14

Above: Mule train, Chindit operations, Burma, 1944 Right (top): The approach to Monte Cassino, 1944 Right (bottom): Men of the 3/10th Gurkhas on Scraggy, near Imphal, July 1944

Left (top): With US soldiers in Tunisia, 1943 Left (bottom): Gurkhas of the 4th Indian Division, Italy, c.1945 Below: Happiness is a cigar‌ Italy, c. 1945

15

16

Above: General (later Field Marshal) Sir Gerald Templer, High Commissioner for Malaya meeting 6th Gurkha soldiers, Malaya, c. early 1950’s Right (top): Bren gunner, Borneo, c. 1960’s Right (bottom): Driver training c. 1960’s

Left (top): Company commander briefs patrol leader, Borneo, c. mid 1960’s Left (bottom): Riot training, Hong Kong, c. late 1960’s Below: Patrol training, Borneo, c. late 1960’s

17

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Above: 10th Gurkhas, deplaning, Cyprus, 1972 Right (top): 6th Gurkhas, fire service duties, UK, 1977 Right (bottom): 7th Gurkha soldiers with a captured Argentine anti-aircraft weapon, Falkland Islands, 1982

Left (top): Lok Ma Chau ops room, Sino – Hong Kong border, c. 1980’s Left (bottom): A ‘brick’ on the Sino – Hong Kong Border, c. 1990’s Below: Corporal Pimbahadur Gurung 6GR the first Gurkha pilot to fly with the Army Air Corps, 1993

19

20

Above: Prince Harry with soldiers of 2nd Gurkhas on Salisbury Plain, 1991 Right (top): Her Majesty the Queen visiting 6GR, 1989 Right (bottom): 2RGR patrolling in Kosovo, 1996

Left (top): The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Dover Castle, 2005 Left (bottom): The Sultan of Brunei visiting, Brunei, 2006 Below: Public Duties, London

21

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Above: A close shave Right (top): 1RGR, Afghanistan 2007 Right (bottom): WMIK Land Rover driven by 1RGR, Afghanistan 2007

Left (top): Bhat! Afghanistan, 2007 Left (bottom): Training the Afghan National Army, 2RGR, Afghanistan, 2004 Below: 2RGR, Afghanistan, 2009

23

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Above: 2RGR in contact, Afghanistan, 2009 Right (top): Sniper, 1RGR, Afghanistan, 2008 Right (bottom): Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant, Afghanistan, 2007

Left (top): Captain Harry Wales and Captain Chandra Pun on an Apache, Afghanistan, 2013 Left (bottom): Jungle river crossing, Brunei 2014 Below: Homecoming parade from Afghanistan, 1RGR, Folkestone, 2008

25

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Above: QGS team on the finish podium, Trailwalker, 2010 Right (top): QGE assisting with the London 2012 Olympic Games Right (bottom): Nepal Cup football, Aldershot, 2013

Left (top): The Princess Royal at the opening of the Gurkha Chautara, National Memorial Arboretum, 2014 Left (bottom): Sergeant Sanjib Rai, 2RGR, winner of the Queens Medal, Bisley, 2014 Below: General Sir Peter Wall, Brigade Week, 2014

27

Recruitment and Training

28

Above: Doko Race, Central Recruit Selection, Nepal, 2013 Right (top): Getting the measure of the man, recruit selection, c. 1900 Right (bottom): Kasam Khane parade, Dharan, Nepal c. 1960’s

Left (top): Recruit Training, Hong Kong, c. 1980’s Left (bottom): Recruit training, Catterick, 2013 Below: Recruit passing out parade, Catterick, 2010

29

Lineages Of Gurkha Infantry Regiments 1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) 1815 • 1st Nusseree Battalion

1823 • 6th, 1st Nusseri (Gorka) Battalion

1824 • 6 , 1 Nusseri Battalion th

st

1826 • 4 , 1 Nusseri Battalion th

st

1830 • 4th Nusseree Battalion

1845 • 4th Nusseree (Rifle) Battalion

1850 • 66 , or Goorka, Regiment, of Native Infantry th

1851 • 66 Regiment of Native Infantry (Goorkas) th

1857 • 66th or Goorka Regiment

1858 • 66 or Goorka Light Infantry th

1861 • 11 Regiment, Native Infantry th

1861 • 1 Goorkha Regiment st

1886 • 1st Goorkha Light Infantry

1891 • 1st Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment 1901 • 1st Gurkha Rifles

1903 • 1st Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) 1906 • 1st Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha (Malaun Regiment)

1910 • 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)

1937 • 1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)

2 King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) nd

1815 • Sirmoor Battalion

1823 • 8th Sirmoor (Gorkha) Battalion

1824 • 8th Sirmoor Battalion 1826 • 6th Sirmoor Battalion

30

1845 • 6th Sirmoor (Rifle) Battalion 1850 • Sirmoor (Rifle) Battalion 1852 • Sirmoor Battalion

1858 • Sirmoor Rifle Regiment

1861 • 17th Regiment, Native Infantry

1861 • 2nd Goorkha (The Sirmoor Rifles)

1876 • 2nd (Prince of Wales’ Own) Goorkha Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles)

1886 • 2nd (Prince of Wales’s Own) Goorkha Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1891 • 2nd (Prince of Wales’ Own) Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1901 • 2nd (Prince of Wales’ Own) Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1901 • 2nd Gurkha Rifles (Prince of Wales’ Own) (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1903 • 2nd Prince of Wales’ Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1906 • 2 King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) nd

1936 • 2 King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) nd

1948 • 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) The Gurkha Regiment

1948 • 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) The Brigade of Gurkhas 1950 • 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) 1994 • Amalgamated to form part of The Royal Gurkha Rifles

3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles 1815 • Kemaoon Battalion

1816 • Kemaoon Provincial Battalion 1823 • 9th Kemaoon Battalion

1826 • 7th Kemaoon Battalion 1850 • Kemaoon Battalion

1861 • 3rd Goorkha (The Kemaoon Regiment) 1864 • 3rd (The Kumaon) Goorkha Regiment 1887 • 3rd Goorkha Regiment

1891 • 3rd Gurkha (Rifle Regiment) 1901 • 3rd Gurkha Rifles

1907 • 3rd The Queen’s Own Gurkha Rifles

1908 • 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles

4th Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha Rifles 1857 • Extra Goorkha Regiment

1861 • 19th Regiment, Native Infantry

1861 • 4th Goorkha Regiment

1891 • 4th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment 1901 • 4th Gurkha Rifles

1924 • 4th Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha Rifles

5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) 1858 • 25th Punjab Infantry or Hazara Goorkha Battalion

1861 • 7th Regiment of Infantry (or Hazara Goorkha Battalion), Punjaub Irregular Force

1861 • 5th Goorkha Regiment (The Hazara Goorkha Battalion) Attached To The Punjaub Irregular Force 1886 • 5th Goorkha Regiment, The Hazara Goorkha Battalion

Lineages Of Gurkha Infantry Regiments 1887 • 5th Goorkha Regiment

1891 • 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment 1901 • 5th Gurkha Rifles

1903 • 5 Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) th

1921 • 5 Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) th

6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles 1817 • The Cuttack Legion

7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles 1902 • 8th Gurkha Rifles

1907 • 7th Gurkha Rifles

1948 • 7th Gurkha Rifles, The Gurkha Regiment

1767 • The Amboor Battalion Madras Native Infantry

8th Gurkha Rifles

1828 • 8th Assam Light Infantry

1844 • 8th 1st Assam Light Infantry Battalion 1850 • 1st Assam Light Infantry Battalion 1861 • 46th (1st Assam) Light Infantry

1864 • 42nd (Assam) Regiment of Bengal Native (Light) Infantry

1885 • 42nd (Assam) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry

1886 • 42nd Regiment, Goorkha (Light) Infantry

1889 • 42nd (Goorkha) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry 1891 • 42 Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment of Bengal Infantry nd

1901 • 42nd Gurkha Rifles

1824 • 16 or Sylhet Local Battalion th

1826 • 11 or Sylhet Local Battalion th

1827 • 11 or Sylhet Light Infantry th

1861 • 48th (Sylhet) Light Infantry 1861 • 44 (Sylhet) Light Infantry th

1864 • 44 (Sylhet) Light Infantry th

1885 • 44 (Sylhet) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry th

1886 • 44th Regiment Goorkha (Light) Infantry

1889 • 44th (Goorkha) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry 1891 • 44th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment of Bengal Infantry 1901 • 44th Gurkha

1903 • 8th Gurkha Rifles

1903 • 6th Gurkha Rifles

9th Gurkha Rifles

1948 • 6th Gurkha Rifles, The Brigade of Gurkhas

1817 • Fatehgarh Levy

1959 • 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles

1823 • 1st Battalion, 32nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry

1948 • 6th Gurkha Rifles, The Gurkha

1901 • 9th Gurkha Rifles

1959 • 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles

1950 • 7th Gurkha Rifles

1823 • 10th Rungpoor Light

1828 • 8th Rungpore Light Infantry

1893 • 9th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment of Bengal Infantry

10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles

1994 • Amalgamated to form part of The Royal Gurkha Rifles

1826 • 8th Rungpoor Light Infantry

1885 • 9th Regiment of Bengal Infantry

1948 • 7th Gurkha Rifles, The Brigade of Gurkhas

1822 • Rungpore Local Battalion 1823 • Rungpoor Light Infantry

1861 • 9th Regiment of Bengal Native

1950 • 6th Gurkha Rifles

1818 • Mynpoory Levy

1994 • Amalgamated to form part of The Royal Gurkha Rifles

1824 • 63rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry

1766 • 14th Battalion of Sepoys, Madras Native Infantry 1769 • 11th Carnatic Battalion, Madras Native Infantry

1770 • 10th Carnatic Battalion, Madras Native Infantry 1784 • 10th Madras Battalion, Madras Native Infantry

1796 • 1st Battalion, 10th Regiment Madras Native Infantry 1824 • 10th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry

1885 • 10th Regiment, Madras Infantry

1887 • Kubo Valley Military Police Battalion

1890 • 10th (Burma) Regiment of Madras Infantry

1890 • 1st Regiment of Burma

1891 • 10th Regiment (1st Burma Battalion) of Madras Infantry

1892 • 10th Regiment (1st Burma Rifles) of Madras Infantry

1895 • 10th Regiment (1st Burma Gurkha Rifles) Madras Infantry 1901 • 10th Gurkha Rifles

1948 • 10th Gurkha Rifles, Gurkha Regiment

1948 • 10th Gurkha Rifles, Brigade of Gurkhas

1950 • 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles 1994 • Amalgamated to form part of The Royal Gurkha Rifles

11th Gurkha Rifles 1918 • 11th Gurkha Rifles

1922 • Disbanded

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1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) History Major General David Ochterlony, a senior officer of the Honourable East India Company’s army of Bengal, created the ‘Nussuree Paltan’ (perhaps from Nasiri, a Hindi word meaning ‘friendly’) through the spring of 1815. It was one of the first units to be manned by native Gurkha recruits during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. This led to the formation of the 1st and 2nd Nusseree Battalions, becoming the 1st Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment in 1891, and eventually the 1st King George V’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) in 1937.

The Malaun designation, first used in 1903, relates to the regiment’s significant first action at the Malaun Fort, Bilaspur in 1815.

Battle Honours Bhurtpore, Aliwal, Sobraon, Afghanistan 1878–80, Tirah, Punjab Frontier; Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres 1915, St Julien, Festubert 1915, Loos, France and Flanders 1914–15, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1918, Tigris 1916, Kut-alAmara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916–18, North West Frontier, India 1915–17, Afghanistan 1919; Jitra, Kampar, Malaya 1941–42, Shenam Pass, Bishenpur, Ukhrul, Myinmu Bridgehead, Kyaukse 1945, Burma 1942–45.

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Throughout the late 19th and early 20th century 1st Gurkhas were involved in many of the numerous colonial conflicts including the Jat War of 1826, the Anglo-Sikh War of 1846, the 1857 Mutiny, the 2nd Afghan War of 1878 and later, on the North West Frontier and Waziristan. Lieutenant John Tytler of the Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross at Choorpoorah in 1858, the first Gurkha VC. A second VC was awarded to Captain George Channer of 1st Gurkhas in Malaya in 1875 during the Perak War, the first overseas expedition by a Gurkha unit.

On the outbreak of the First World War 1st Gurkhas were initially deployed to the Western Front in late 1914, fighting in many of the early Flanders battles before being redeployed to the Middle East a year later.

The Second World War saw the raising of five battalions of 1st Gurkhas all operating in the Far East theatre, principally in Malaya and Burma, but ending the War in French Indo-China (present day Vietnam) on peacekeeping duties in 1945.

The regiment transferred to the new Indian Army after Independence, renamed the 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) with a present strength of five battalions.

Left (top): Men of the ‘Nusseree Battalion’ c.1857 Left (bottom): 1st Gurkha officers, c. 1910 Below: 1st Gurkha Rifleman, First World War

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2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles).

Affiliated Regiment The Royal Green Jackets

Allied Regiment The Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Regimental History

Battle Honours Bhurtpore, Aliwal, Sobraon, Delhi 1857, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880, Afghanistan 1878–80, Tirah, Punjab Frontier La Bassée 1914, Festubert 1914-15, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Loos, France And Flanders 1914–15, Egypt 1915, Tigris 1916, Kut-al-Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916–18, Persia 1918, Baluchistan 1918, Afghanistan 1919 El Alamein, Mareth, Akarit, Djebel el Meida, Enfidaville, Tunis, North Africa 1942–43, Cassino I, Monastery Hill, Pian Di Maggio, Gothic Line, Coriano, Poggio San Giovanni, Monte Reggiano, Italy 1944–45, Greece 1944–45, North Malaya, Jitra, Central Malaya, Kampar, Slim River, Johore, Singapore Island, Malaya 1941–42, North Arakan, Irrawaddy, Magwe, Sittang 1945, Point 1433, Arakan Beaches, Myebon, Tamandu, Chindits 1943, Burma 1943–45.

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The Regiment was raised in 1815 at the end of the Anglo-Nepalese War, by Lieutenant (afterwards General) Frederick Young. It was formed at Nahan in Sirmoor State in India, from which it took its original name of “The Sirmoor Battalion” and recruited from the disbanded soldiers of the Nepalese Army. Lieutenant Young, a remarkable soldier, commanded the Sirmoor Battalion for twenty-eight years, during which time he rose in rank from Lieutenant to Colonel. He obtained for the Regiment a cantonment in Dehra Dun in the United Provinces of India and this remained the Regiment’s home until it was transferred to the British Army on the 1st January 1948.

Since 1815 the Regiment fought in many parts of the world as the Battle Honours testify, however, the Regiment particularly distinguished itself during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 when, with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and the Queen’s Own Corps of Guides, it held the key position on Delhi Ridge throughout three months of bitter fighting. At this time the 2nd Gurkhas were supported by Tombs’s Troop, which last served alongside 2nd Gurkhas in Hong Kong in the early 1970’s as a Battery of 49th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. For the Regiment’s services at Delhi it was granted a third honorary colour and its title was changed to the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment and was permitted to wear a uniform similar to that of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

In 1863, it having been decided that it was not appropriate for a rifle regiment, the Colours were laid up and Queen Victoria granted the 2nd Gurkhas a Truncheon, a unique colour much revered by the Regiment, known as the ‘Nishani Mai’. To this day the Queen’s Truncheon is carried by our successors, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and is accorded the honours due to a Queen’s Colour.

In 1876 the Regiment was given the title of “The Prince of Wales’ Own” and this was commemorated by the cap badge depicting the three feathers of the badge of The Prince of Wales that was worn as a cap badge by all soldiers in the 2nd Gurkhas until 1994.

The 2nd Battalion was raised at Dehra Dun in 1886.

In 1902, when the Prince of Wales, the then Colonel in Chief, ascended the throne the regimental title was changed to “King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles).

During the Great War the 3rd Battalion was raised and between the three battalions they saw active service in France, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia and on the North West Frontier of India. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded after the Great War. Between the wars both battalions were engaged in many campaigns and operations in Northern India.

Left (top): 2nd Gurkha veterans c. 1910 Left (bottom): 2nd Gurkhas Vickers Medium Machine Gun team.

This weapon remained in use from 1914 to 1964!

Below: Lieutenant (later Brigadier) Christopher Bullock and a recce detachment, Borneo, c. early 1960’s

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Above: 2nd Gurkhas on parade, Hong Kong, c. 1970’s Right (top): 2nd Gurka patrol boarding an RAF Whirlwind helicopter, believed to be Malaya c. 1950’s Right (bottom): General (later Field Marshal) Sir John Chapple, ex-2nd Gurkhas visiting Gurkha school children Right: 2nd Gurkhas Queen’s Truncheon Party

During the Second World War the 3rd Battalion was re-raised and the 4th and 5th Battalions were formed.

The 1st Battalion fought in North Africa, Italy and Greece with the famous 4th Indian Division. The 2nd Battalion fought throughout the short but hard Malayan Campaign and was made prisoner at the fall of Singapore. The 3rd Battalion served as Chindits in General Wingate’s Campaign in Burma and afterwards in the Arakan. The 4th Battalion fought on the North West Frontier and in Burma and French Indo-China.

The 5th Battalion remained throughout on the North West Frontier. During these war years, the 2nd Gurkhas won two Victoria Crosses besides many other bravery decorations in recognition of their services. In the Second World War the Regiment lost 783 of all ranks, killed or died of wounds.

After the war the 4th Battalion transferred to the Indian Army becoming the 5th/8th Gurkha Rifles and the Regiment was again reduced to its two regular battalions. These were both actively engaged in operations in aid of the civil power in India. When India achieved Independence at the end of 1947 the 2nd Gurkhas were transferred from the Indian Army to the British Army. Shortly after transferring to the British Army in 1948, the Regiment found a home to replace Dehra, at Slim Barracks, Singapore. The Regiment quickly became involved in the Malayan Emergency and it was here that further expertise in jungle fighting was gained. B Company of the 1st Battalion had the highest kill of the Emergency in one contact. The Regiment killed about 450 communist terrorists during the twelve years of the Emergency. This campaign was the longest in the history of the British Army up to that time, finally ending in 1960.

The Regiment was to have only two years of peacetime soldiering when in 1962, the 1st Battalion, at eight hours’ notice, flew to Brunei where rebellion had broken out. The situation was restored in a few days, during which period the Battalion lost one British Officer and two soldiers. Confrontation with Indonesia followed the Brunei revolt that was to last for four years between 1962 and 1966. Both battalions served a number of tours in Borneo, going back to Slim Barracks and Hong Kong in between. There were many successful actions with 12 MCs, 1 DCM, 11 MMs and 31 MiDs awarded.

After the end of Confrontation, both battalions of the Regiment served in Hong Kong, (including the riots of April 1966), Brunei, and Singapore. The two battalions were scheduled to amalgamate in September 1970 and again in September 1978, but on both occasions the amalgamation was cancelled. Both battalions continued to serve in the United Kingdom and performed Public Duties in London. The 1st Battalion also served in Belize and the 2nd Battalion in the Falkland Islands.

As part of the drawdown of the Brigade of Gurkhas it was with great sadness that, on the 15th September 1992, the 2nd Gurkhas began life as a single battalion regiment. Finally, on the 1st July 1994, following four years of planning and turbulence, the 2nd KEO Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) amalgamated with the 6th QEO Gurkha Rifles to form the 1st Battalion of The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Between 1815 and 1994, during its 179 years of loyal service to the British Crown, the Regiment had been on operations for all but 52 years.

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3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles History The third Gurkha unit to be raised in 1815, by Sir Robert Colquhoun, was the ‘Kemaoon Battalion’, so named because it recruited from the districts of Kumaon and Garwhal, a region beyond Nepal’s far western border.

Battle Honours Delhi 1857, Ahmad Khel, Afghanistan 1878–80, Burma 1885–87, Chitral, Tirah, Punjab Frontier La Bassée 1914, Armentières 1914, Festubert 191415, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, France and Flanders 1914–15, Egypt 1915-16, Gaza, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jerusalem, Tell, Asur, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1917–18, Sharqat, Mesopotamia 1917–18, Afghanistan 1919 Deir el Shein, North Africa 1940–43, Monte della Gorgace, Il Castello, Monte Farneto, Monte Cavallo, Italy 1943–45; Sittang 1942, Kyaukse 1942, Imphal, Tuitum, Sakawng, Shenam Pass, Bishenpur, Tengnoupal, Meiktila, Defence of Meiktila, Rangoon Road, Pyawbwy, Pegu 1945, Burma 1942–45

The unit was renamed the 3rd Goorkha (The Kemaoon) Regiment in 1861 and eventually became the 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles in 1908. In the 19th century 3rd Gurkhas were initially tasked with policing the border with Nepal but then played a major role in quelling the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It participated in an expedition to Bhutan in 1862, the 2nd Afghan War of 1878, and the 3rd Burmese War of 1885. It then completed the end of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries busy on the North West Frontier.

On the outbreak of the First World War the 3rd Gurkhas were initially deployed to the Western Front fighting in many of the early Flanders battles with Rifleman Kulbahadur Thapa winning its first Victoria Cross at the Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915. In late 1915 along with other Indian Army units 3rd Gurkhas were transferred to the Middle East with its 1st Battalion deployed to Mesopotamia and the 2nd Battalion to Palestine. In 1916 a clerical error ‘4/3GR’ gave 3rd Gurkhas an unexpected 4th Battalion instead of the intended 3rd Battalion for the 4th Gurkhas – 3/4GR! On 10th April 1918 Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana won the Regiment’s second VC fighting Ottoman forces in Egypt.

The Second World War saw the raising of four battalions of the 3rd Gurkhas who fought in the North African, Italian and Burma campaigns.

Becoming part of the newly formed Indian Army in 1947 the Regiment was renamed the 3rd Gorkha Rifles.

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Left: Khud Race c. 1910 Left (top): Machine gun detachment c.1910 Left (bottom): The King visiting 3rd Gurkhas, Italy, 1945 Below: Queens Gurkha Officers and a Rifleman, c. early 20th century

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4th Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha Rifles History During the Indian Mutiny of 1857 it was deemed necessary to raise a new unit from a cadre of the Nasiri Battalion, to be named the Extra Goorkha Regiment, tasked with holding the Kumaon Hills region.

The Second World War finally delivered a third and then a fourth battalion to the 4th Gurkhas. The Regiment operated widely seeing action in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Cyprus, Italy and Burma.

In 1861 it was renamed the 4th Goorkha Regiment eventually earning the title 4th Prince of Wales’s Own Gurkha Rifles in 1924.

During the war the 1st/4th was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ‘Joe’ Lentaigne, a veteran 4th Gurkha officer commissioned in 1918. As brigade commander, 111th Indian Infantry Brigade on the 2nd Chindit expedition ‘Operation Thursday’, Brigadier Lentaigne succeeded Major General Orde Wingate as Chindit commander after his untimely death. Lentaigne handed over 111th Brigade to Major John Masters, also a 4th Gurkha and subsequently a celebrated author. Joe Lentaigne remained with the Indian Army after Partition in 1947 rising to the rank of Lieutenant General.

In 1866 the 4th Gurkhas regimental centre and depot was located at Bakloh, in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North West India.

Battle Honours Ali Masjid, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880, Afghanistan 1878–80, Waziristan 1895, Chitral, Tirah, Punjab Frontier, China 1900 Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres 1915, St. Julien, Aubers, Festubert 1915, France and Flanders 1914–15, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1916, Tigris 1916, Kut-al-Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916–18, North West Frontier, India 1917, Baluchistan 1918.

Afghanistan 1919 Iraq 1941, Syria 1941, The Cauldron, North Africa 1940–43, Trestina, Monte Cedrone, Italy 1943–45 Pegu 1942, Chindits 1944, Mandalay, Burma 1942–45, Bishenpur, Shwebo

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In the late 19th century the Regiment was employed on the North West Frontier, then in Burma in 1870, in the 2nd Afghan War of 1878 and with the expeditionary force sent to China in 1900 in response to the Boxer Rebellion. In 1903 Captain William George Walker, a 4th Gurkhas officer on secondment to the Somali Camel Corps, won the VC in the Third Somaliland Campaign.

The 4th Gurkhas were deployed to the Western Front in late 1914 fighting in many of the early Flanders battles before being redeployed to Mesopotamia in early 1916 with two battalions. The order to raise a third battalion was subject to an administrative error that resulted in 3rd Gurkhas getting a fourth battalion instead.

Left (top): 4th Gurkhas c. early 20th century Left (bottom): Training at the regimental centre, c. early 1940’s Below: Aboard a Churchill tank, Italy, c. 1944-45

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5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) History Formed in 1858 by the transfer of Nepalese hillmen from irregular units into the 25th Punjab Regiment, also known as the Hazara Goorkha Battalion, it was then re-designated the 5th Goorkha Regiment (The Hazara Goorkha Battalion) in 1861.

The regiment spent most of its time up to the end of the 19th century based in the Punjab as part of the Punjab Frontier Force (PFF or Piffers as it was known) with its regimental centre in the frontier hill town of Abbottabad, in the Hazara region of North-West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. This connection was reflected when in 1921, the regiment was renamed the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force).

Battle Honours Peiwar Kotal, Charasiah, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880, Afghanistan 1878–80, Punjab Frontier, Helles, Krithia, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Suez Canal, Egypt 1915–16, Khan Baghdadi, Mesopotamia 1916–18, North West Frontier 1917 Afghanistan 1919, North West Frontier 1930, North West Frontier 1936–39 The Sangro, Caldari, Cassino II, San Angelo in Teodice, Rocca d’Arce, Ripa Ridge, Femmina Morta, Monte San Bartolo, The Senio, Italy 1943–45, Sittang 1942, 1945, Kyaukse 1942, Yenangyaung 1942, Stockades, Buthidaung, Imphal, Sakawng, Bishenpur, Shenam Pass, Irrawaddy, Burma 1942–45,

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5th Gurkhas won its first Battle Honour in the 2nd Afghan War of 1878-80 where one of its officers, Captain John Cook, was awarded the Victoria Cross and seven Gurkha soldiers awarded the Indian Order of Merit. Two further VCs were awarded to Lieutenants’ Guy Boisdragon and John Manners-Smith of the 5th Gurkhas on operations in Kashmir in 1891.

During the First World War 5th Gurkhas saw active service in the Middle East and at Gallipoli, later in Mesopotamia and once again back on the North West Frontier. The inter-war years saw the 5th Gurkhas also record two rare Battle Honours from the Frontier region.

In the Second World War 5th Gurkhas 1st Battalion saw service in the Middle East and the Italian campaign with the 2nd Battalion in the Far East theatre and Burma.

A fourth battalion was raised in 1941 also fighting in the Burma campaign earning the unique distinction of getting four Battle Honours for the five battles it fought.

The Regiment was awarded four Victoria Crosses; Havildar Gaje Ghale on 27th May 1943, Subedar Netrabahadur Thapa in June 1944, Rifleman (Acting Naik) Agansing Rai also in June 1944, all in Burma and Rifleman Thaman Gurung in November 1944 in Italy. In 1945 the 2nd Battalion was posted to Tokyo as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

After Independence 5th Gurkhas joined the Indian Army and was renamed the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force). It currently has a complement of six battalions.

Left (top): Black Mountain Campaign, North West Frontier, c. 1891 Left (bottom): Soldiers with a local guide, thought to be Burma, WW2 Below: Signaller with a heliograph, c.1910

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6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles.

Affiliated Regiments The Royal Green Jackets, King’s Royal Hussars

Regimental History The 6th Gurkha Rifles was a regiment of the British Indian Army, before being transferred to the British Army following India’s independence in 1947. Originally it was raised by Captain Simon Fraser in Orissa on 16th May 1817 as part of the army of the British East India Company and called the Cuttack Legion.

Battle Honours Burma 1885–87 Helles, Krithia, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Suez Canal, Egypt 1915–16, Khan Baghdadi, Mesopotamia 1916–18, Persia 1918, North-West Frontier, India 1915, Afghanistan 1919 Coriano, Santarcangelo, Monte Chicco, Lamone Crossing, Senio Floodbank, Medicina, Gaiana Crossing, Italy 1944–45, Kyaukmyaung Bridgehead, Mandalay, Fort Dufferin, Mayamo, Rangoon Road, Toungoo, Sittang 1945, Chindits 1944, Burma 1942–45

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Between 1823 and 1903 its regimental title was changed several times and it became known by a number of different names throughout its history.

However on 1st January 1959 it was honoured when Her Majesty the Queen conferred the title, 6th Queen Elizabeth`s Own Gurkha Rifles, which it retained until 1994. Initially the Legion did not exclusively recruit Gurkhas but selected from all potential soldiers in the Assam area. Nevertheless during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and 1858 the Regiment, then known as the Assam Light Infantry, remained loyal to the British and two soldiers received the Indian Order of Merit.

Following the Indian Mutiny and after being transferred into the British Indian Army, it became a purely Gurkha regiment with its regimental headquarters at Abbottabad in the North West Frontier Province of British India. During the First World War the 1/6th distinguished itself in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 and came to the notice of Sir William Slim who later served in the Regiment.

During the Second World War 3/6th distinguished itself as part of the second Chindit expedition and in 1944 Victoria Crosses were awarded to Captain Michael Allmand and Riflemen Tulbahadur Pun in the action at Mogaung.

After 1947 the Regiment was one of only four Gurkha regiments to be transferred to the British Army and this continued up until 1994, when it was amalgamated with other Gurkha regiments to form The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Over the course of its 177 year history, the Regiment was awarded 25 Battle Honours and after the Second World War the Regiment was active in the Malayan Emergency, the Borneo Confrontation and served on the Hong Kong frontier, Brunei and Belize, as well as tours in the UK, which in 1977 involved manning the green goddess fire engines during the fire service strikes. Between 1939 and 1994 the Regiment has produced 8 generals including Field Marshal Sir William Slim, Major General Bruce Scott, Major General David Tennant Cowan and General Sir Walter Walker, who was instrumental in bringing the Borneo Confrontation to peaceful conclusion in 1966.

Left (top): In the trenches, Gallipoli, 1915 Left (bottom): 1st/6th Khud Race team, c. 1911 Seated centre is Rfn Tulbir Gurung who won the Khud Race every year from 1909 until 1914 Below: Rifleman Tul bahdar Pun VC portrait, 1944

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Above: Brunei, c. late 1960’s Right (top): Young Officer with patrol, Borneo, c. mid-1960’s Right (bottom): Farewell parade, Sino-Hong Kong border, c.1990

Left (top): Guard of Honour for Her Majesty the Queen, Hong Kong, 1986 Left (bottom): Inspecting the Quarter Guard, c. late 1960’s Below: Gurkha Major, Hong Kong, c. late 1960’s

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7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles.

Affiliated Regiments The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)

Regimental History After a complicated series of mergers and changes of designation, originating with the creation of the Assam Sebundy Corps in 1835, the 7th Gurkhas were formed in 1903. In 1959 were they re-titled the 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles.

Battle Honours Suez Canal, Egypt 1915, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1918, Shaiba, Kut-al-Amara 1915, 1917, Ctesiphon, Defence of Kut-al-Amara, Baghdad, Sharquat, Mesopotamia 1915-18, Afghanistan 1919 Tobruk 1942, North Africa 1942, Cassino I, Campriano, Poggio del Grillo, Tavoleto, Montebello-Scorticata Ridge, Italy 1944, Sittang 1942, 1945, Pegu 1942, Kyaukse 1942, Schwegyin, Imphal, Bishenpur, Meiktila, Capture of Meiktila, Defence of Meiktila, Rangoon Road, Pyawbwe, Burma 1942-45.

Falkland Islands 1982

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In the First World War the 7th Gurkhas saw service in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Palestine. The 2nd Battalion were forced to surrender when Kut-al-Amara fell to the Turks, but were immediately re-raised.

In the Second World War the 1st Battalion gained an enviable reputation in Burma, highlighted by the award in 1944 of the Victoria Cross to Rifleman Ganju Lama.

Meanwhile the 2nd Battalion saw service again in Mesopotamia, North Africa, Greece and most notably in Italy. History repeated itself when the battalion was forced to surrender at Tobruk, but again was immediately re-raised. For a period the 3rd Battalion were retrained as a parachute unit in India. Indian Partition in 1947 found both regular battalions trying to keep the peace between murderous gangs of Hindus and Muslims.

In 1947, 7th Gurkhas were one of the four rifle regiments from the old Indian Army Gurkha Brigade selected to join the new British Brigade of Gurkhas. For twelve years from 1949 both battalions were actively involved during the Malayan Emergency in tracking

down the jungle-based communist terrorists. Briefly in 1949 the two battalions had been retrained as gunner regiments, but rapidly reverted to an infantry role for operations against the communists. For the period 1962 to 1966, both battalions served in Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation, and in 1967 both were deployed in Hong Kong during the troubles caused by China’s Cultural Revolution.

With the run-down of the Brigade the two battalions amalgamated in 1970. Shortly afterwards 7th Gurkhas were posted to the United Kingdom, where in 1971 they had the honour to be the first Gurkha battalion to undertake Public Duties in London. After the withdrawal from Malaya and Singapore, the Regiment for the remainder of its existence, found itself rotating its postings between Hong Kong, Brunei and the United Kingdom. When based in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s, the Regiment spent long periods of duty on the Sino-Hong Kong border trying to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the Colony. For five years during this period the need for more troops for border duties meant the re-raising of the 2nd Battalion.

1982 found a frustrated 1st Battalion serving with 5 Infantry Brigade in the Falklands. The Gurkha reputation preceded 7th Gurkha Rifles, and the already hard-pressed Argentinians believing some of the wilder tales surrendered before the Battalion had a chance to prove its worth.

In 1994 with the formation of The Royal Gurkha Rifles, the 7th Gurkhas were disbanded.

Left (top): 2nd/7th on parade, Quetta, 1931 Left (bottom): 7th Gurkhas briefly in the artillery role, 1948 Below: Nepal Cup winning team in 1955

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Above: BIT, QE2, en route to the Falkland Islands, 1982 Right (top): Preparing to embark for the Falkland Islands, 1982 Right (bottom): Home coming victory parade, Fleet, 1982

Left (top): Parachute training, 5 Airborne Brigade, 1992 Left (bottom): Training, New Territories, Hong Kong, 1990 Below: The Duke of Edinburgh visits 2nd/7th Gurkhas, Hong Kong, 1986

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8th Gurkha Rifles History

Battle Honours Burma 1885-87 La Bassee 1914, Festubert 1914, 1915, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, France and Flanders 1914-1915, Egypt 1915-16, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1918, Tigris 1916, Kut-al-Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916-1917, Afghanistan 1919 Iraq 1941, North Africa 1940-1943, Gothic Line, Italy 1943-4, Coriano, Santarcangelo, Gaiana Crossing, Point 551, Imphal, Tamu Road, Bishenpur, Kanglatongbi, Mandalay, Myinmu Bridgehead, Singhu, Shandatgyi, Sittang 1945, Burma 1942-45

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The 8th Gurkhas descended from the 1st Battalion of the 16th or Sylhet Local Battalion formed in 1824.

Initially only partly manned by Nepalese in 1832 it was reinforced by companies from 1st and 2nd Goorkhas and by 1886 it was recruiting only Magar and Gurung jhats. It achieved its 8th Gurkha Rifles designation in 1903. A second battalion had been raised in 1835.

The regiment fought in the 1st Anglo-Burmese War of 1824 and the Bhutan War of 1864. In 1879 in an operation to put down a revolt in the Naga Hills Captain John Ridgeway was awarded the Regiment’s first Victoria Cross. Its second VC was awarded in 1891 to Lieutenant Charles Grant during the Manipur Expedition on the North East Frontier, an operation that resulted in his entire detachment of close to 80 Gurkha soldiers all receiving the Indian Order of Merit.

A third VC was awarded to Lieutenant John Grant (no relation to Charles Grant) in 1904 during the storming of the Gyantse Jong in Tibet, at an altitude of 18,000 feet.

The First World War saw the 8th Gurkhas serve in France, Mesopotamia and Egypt.

During the inter-war years 8th Gurkhas participated in the 3rd Afghan War and whilst based in Quetta played a magnificent role in rescuing thousands of civilians caught up in a series of earthquakes throughout North West India. Nandlal Thapa 2/8GR was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal, later converted to the George Cross, for repeatedly risking his life to save countless injured survivors.

The Second World War saw the 8th in the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and in the Burma Campaign.

A fourth VC was awarded to Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung in Burma in May 1945.

In 1947 8th Gurkhas transferred to the Indian Army where it has become one of its most celebrated units through many operational successes in India’s various conflicts. It also produced one of India’s first Field Marshals, Sam Manekshaw MC.

Left (top): Indian Order of Merit winners, 8th Gurkhas, c. 1891 Left (bottom): Mortar training, regimental training centre, during Second World War Below: Medal parade, Second World War

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9th Gurkha Rifles History The 9th Gurkhas descended from the Fatehgargh Levy of 1817. It participated in the 1st Burmese War of 1824 and then was at the siege of Bhurtpore, Rajasthan in the Mahratta War of 1826, winning its first Battle Honour. It saw action at the Battle of Sobraon in the 1st Anglo-Sikh War of 1846 and was in the 2nd Afghan War of 1878. From 1880 to 1890 the Regiment contained no Gurkhas on its strength but from 1893 onwards it recruited Nepalese hillmen of the Khas caste, who unlike many Gurkhas are of Rajput origin.

In 1893 the Regiment was renamed the 9th Gurkha Rifle Regiment of Bengal Infantry and then became the 9th Gurkha Rifles in 1901.

Battle Honours Bhurtpore, Sobraon, Afghanistan 1879–80, Punjab Frontier, La Bassee 1914, Armentieres 1914, Festubert 1914, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Loos, France and Flanders, Tigris 1916, Kut-al-Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916-18, Afghanistan 1919 Djebel el Meida, Djebel Garci, Ragoubet Souissi, North Africa 1940-43, Cassino I, Hangman’s Hill, Tavoleto, San Marino, Italy 1943-45, Greece 1944-45, Malaya 1941-42, Chindits 1944, Burma 1942-45

During the First World War it saw service both in France and Mesopotamia with Major George Wheeler being awarded the Victoria Cross in February 1917 in Iraq.

1919 saw its return to the North West Frontier as well as some of its troops under command of Major General Dyer in the Amritsar Massacre.

The Second World War saw the Regiment in North Africa, Italy, Malaya and participate in the Chindit operations in Burma. Rifleman Sherbahadur Thapa won a Victoria Cross on 18th September 1944 near San Marino, Italy and Captain (Acting Major) Frank Blaker, a Highland Light Infantry officer attached to the 3/9th, won a VC on 9th July 1944 in Burma.

Post Independence 9th Gurkhas joined the Indian Army.

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Left: 1st/9th Gurkhas crossing the Tigris, c 1917 Left (top): Route march, North West Frontier, early 20th century Left (bottom): General manoeuvres (for some!)

North West Frontier, early 20th century Below: Regimental Mascot, c. 1900

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10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles.

Affiliated Regiment The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

Regimental History

Battle Honours Amboor, Carnatic, Mysore, Assaye, Ava, Burma 1885-87.

Helles, Krithia, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Suez Canal, Egypt 1915, Sharqat, Mesopotamia 1916-18, Afghanistan, 1919 Iraq 1941, Deir ez Zor, Syria 1941, Coriano, Santarcangelo, Senio Floodbank, Bologna, Sillaro Crossing, Gaiana Crossing, Italy 1944-45, Monywa 1942, Imphal, Tuitum, Tamu Road, Shenam Pass, Litan, Bishenpur, Tengnoupal, Mandalay, Myinmu Bridgehead, Kyaukse 1945, Meiktila, Capture Of Meiktila, Defence Of Meiktila, Irrawaddy, Rangoon Road, Pegu 1945, Sittang 1945, Burma 1942-45.

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10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles is one of the four infantry regiments which in 1994 were amalgamated to form The Royal Gurkha Rifles. The latter maintains a record of Gurkha service to the British Crown that dates back to 1815, yet the history of 10th PMO Gurkha Rifles goes back even further. It was raised in 1766 at Vellore in south India by Colonel Donald Campbell of Glensaddell as the 14th Battalion of Coast Sepoys, part of the Honourable East India Company’s Madras Army. Conversion to a Gurkha unit came in 1890, and in 1948, after Indian Independence, the Regiment became part of the British Army proper.

It carried the number Tenth from 1770 to 1994.

In the pre-1890 period as a Madras unit the Indian officers and men were a mixture, in varying proportions, of Hindus of all castes and Muslims, with a few Indian Christians. The Tenth recruited its men partly from wherever it was stationed, partly from the central Carnatic region around Vellore, and partly from among the sons of the soldiers and Indian officers.

The sons were hardened to army life, as all the Madras sepoys’ families lived with the Regiment and in the 18th century even went on campaign.

The 10th Madras Infantry served in south and central India and in Burma, fighting the French and Dutch as well as the formidable Marathas and the Mysorean

armies of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, and many other indigenous opponents. In 1767, only a year after it was raised, under Captain Matthias Calvert the Regiment became the first British sepoy unit to achieve a major success on its own: for its stubborn and strategically vital defence of the fort of Amboor against immense odds it was immediately awarded new colours bearing the word AMBOOR and the badge of a Rock Fort.

This constituted the first battle honour or honorary distinction ever granted to any unit of the British Indian armies, and when the honour ASSAYE and the badge of an Elephant were added in 1803 the Regiment is believed to have become the first in the British Indian Armies to carry honours for two battles. At Assaye the then 1st Battalion 10th Madras Infantry was the first sepoy unit to clash with the enemy, and with the 78th Highlanders on their left they smashed through a mile-long line of Maratha infantry and cannon. In later life the British commander, the 1st Duke of Wellington, considered Assaye his finest victory.

In 1890 the Regiment was ‘localised’ for permanent service in Burma, and at the same time the Madrassi officers and men were replaced by Gurkhas and Assamese. As soon as enough Gurkhas were available, in 1895, the Regiment became an entirely Gurkha one, as reflected in its title; but it retained proudly the number Tenth, also the Battle Honours, Honorary Badges, Mess and Band funds and not least a sacred image called the Mahabir Swami stone, depicting Hanuman the Monkey God. This has been revered in the Mandir (temple) ever since and gave

Left (top): 2nd Battalion British and Gurkha Officers, Takdah, near Darjeeling, 1914 Left (bottom): 3rd/10th officers and men inspecting Japanese weapons after the battle for Scraggy, near Imphal, Burma, 1944 Below: Lance Corporal (later Honorary Captain) Rambahadur Limbu VC, MVO

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Above: 10th Gurkhas Pipes and Drums with Royal Scots Pipes and Drums Remainder: Cyprus, 1974

rise to 1/10th Gurkha Rifles’ battle cry ‘Hanuman!’ in Burma in the Second World War. The pre-1890 Honours were carried until 1903 and resumed by permission of Her Majesty the Queen in 1989. The combined badge of an Elephant and Rock Fort was revived and worn on the arm in 1990.

From the outset in 1890 the Regiment chose to recruit Gurkhas from East Nepal, principally from the Rai and Limbu jhat, with smaller numbers of Sunwars and Tamangs. During the 104 years as a Gurkha unit after 1890 the Regiment far surpassed its earlier achievements, serving in peace or war in Aden, Belize, Borneo, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Cyprus, Egypt, French Indo-China (Vietnam), Gallipoli (Turkey), Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Italy, Java, Lebanon, Malaya, Palestine, Persia (Iran), Singapore, Syria, and the United Kingdom. In the First World War the 2nd Battalion served with immense gallantry and fortitude at Gallipoli from June to December 1915, on the Helles, Anzac and Suvla fronts, suffering huge casualties in the Battles of Gully Ravine and Sari Bair, also in the great blizzard in November and at sea in the sinking of the troopship Ramazan in September.

The 1st Battalion then took a full part in the final defeat of the Turkish Ottoman Empire in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), culminating in the crushing victory at Sharqat in October 1918.

In the Second World War the 1st, 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Regiment served against the Japanese in Burma from the long retreat of 1942, through the epic battles around Imphal (where all three were heavily engaged), and in the final advance southwards to Rangoon. Particular successes came at the Tuitum Ridge (1/10th), the Shenam Pass (3/10th) and the Irrawaddy Bridgehead (4/10th). In the final stages and aftermath of the War 3/10th served in Malaya and Java, and 4/10th in French Indo-China and Cambodia. Meanwhile the 2nd Battalion served in the Middle East and then in 1944–45 fought in northeastern Italy against the Germans, first in the great set-piece attacks near Rimini which broke the enemy’s Gothic Line and then in the advance northwards across a series of fortified rivers until Victory in Europe Day in May 1945. In the Second World War the regiment’s record in terms of time spent in action and the number of gallantry awards won was second to none in the Indian Army and in 1950 it was awarded the title Princess Mary’s Own. After the war it further enhanced its name in the Malayan Emergency from the very beginning in 1948 to the end in 1960, and then also in Borneo Confrontation in 1963-66. Near Serikin in Borneo on 21st November 1965 LanceCorporal Rambahadur Limbu won the Victoria Cross.

Throughout its history the Tenth has lived up to the saying that ‘the Regiment is for service and not for show’.

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Left: Sentry overlooking Bagh and Bagh Springs, North West Frontier c.1919 Below: Officers and men of the 2nd/11th c. 1919 Right: GMP inspection, Malaya, c. 1950’s

11th Gurkha Rifles

Battle Honours North West Frontier 1917 Afghanistan 1919

History The 11th Gurkhas was raised as an ad hoc unit in 1918 with troops and officers being drawn from the various Gurkha regiments. The Regiment saw service in both Palestine and Mesopotamia at the end of the First World War, as well as during the Third Afghan War in 1919, before being disbanded in 1922, the troops reverting to their original units. There were no separate insignias authorized for 11th Gurkhas and personnel wore the badges of distinction of their parent units, though there have been instances where unofficial badges were made and worn by some personnel, as above.

After Independence the Indian Army re-raised the 11th Gorkhas in January 1948 to absorb the large number of Limbu and Rai men, mainly from 7th and 10th Gurkhas, who had opted to remain with the Indian Army.

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Gurkha Military Police

History Following the historical tradition of Gurkhas being employed in para-military police battalions, charged with maintaining law and order on the frontiers of India and Burma, Gurkhas were first used in a dedicated military police role with the formation of 17 Gurkha Divisional Provost Company, Royal Military Police, in Malaya in 1950.

Manpower was provided by most of the United Kingdom’s Gurkha infantry regiments with soldiers of four to seven years’ experience considered most suitable for the role. Participating in the Malayan Emergency and providing support to the civil police the unit was expanded and became the Gurkha Military Police by the end of 1955. 1962 saw the unit undertake a UK tour of duty and also deploy on operations following the outbreak of the Brunei Rebellion.

Almost as quickly as it had been formed the unit was disbanded on 31st December 1964 due to anticipated defence budget cuts.

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Airborne Gurkhas actions at Imphal and Kohima, repulsing Japan’s last major offensive in early-1944. Acquitting themselves well the units were repatriated to India in July 1944 to prepare for airborne operations. At this point 153 and 154 were renamed the 2nd and 3rd (Gurkha) Battalions, Indian Parachute Regiment. Despite the cancellation of many planned airborne operations, a composite formation from both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions participated in a large-scale parachute drop to support the capture of the Burmese capital Rangoon on 1st May 1945. The Gurkha airborne units were disbanded in November 1946.

In late 1941 the decision was taken to create an Indian Army Parachute formation, the result being the 50th Indian Parachute Brigade comprising British, Indian and Gurkha units. Volunteers from all Gurkha regiments provided manpower for what was designated 153 (Gurkha) Parachute Battalion.

In mid-1942 this was added to with 3rd/7th Gurkhas becoming 154 (Gurkha) Parachute Battalion.

After some minor deployments requiring smallscale parachute jumps earlier in the war both units commenced training for a larger scale airborne operation as part of the planned counter-offensive into Burma. This was interrupted when both battalions were urgently required to participate in the defensive

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Following the requirement for a number of tactical air-landing operations during the Brunei Rebellion of 1962, it was decided that there was a need for a British Army airborne unit to be based in the Far East.

This bought about the formation of the Gurkha Independent Parachute Company on 1st January 1963, in Singapore. Manpower was provided by volunteers from all eight infantry and corps units of The Brigade of Gurkhas, with an all-ranks strength of 128 men.

Parachute training was conducted in Malaya and selection carried out at Johore Baru under Captain Bruce Niven. The unit participated in the Borneo Confrontation mainly operating in a recce and longrange patrol role. Following the move of the Brigade to Hong Kong in 1971, where no airborne role was envisioned, the unit was disbanded.

In the mid 1980’s the United Kingdom resident Gurkha battalion was trained in an air-landing role as part of 5 Airborne Brigade. It also provided manpower for the Brigade’s Pathfinder Platoon as well as training as many men as resources would allow for P Company and the jumps course.

In 1996 a decision was taken to provide a Gurkha parachute company to reinforce one of the Parachute Regiment’s battalions. C (Gurkha) Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was formed and undertook operational tours in Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Macedonia and Afghanistan. The unit was disbanded in May 2002 with all ranks returning to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Left: Parachute training, India, WW2 Left (top): Victory parade, India, c. 1945 Left (bottom): Lieutenant General Hew Pike meeting men of C (Gurkha) Company, 2 PARA Below: Ready to jump, Gurkha Independent Parachute Company, c. 1960’s

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The Royal Gurkha Rifles History

Battle Honours Amboor, Carnatic, Mysore, Assaye, Ava, Bhurtpore, Aliwal, Sobraon, Delhi 1857, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880, Afghanistan 1878-80, Burma 1885-87, Tirah, Punjab Frontier.

La Bassee 1914, Festubert 1914, 1915, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chappelle, Aubers, Loos, France and Flanders 1914-15, Helles, Krithia, Suvla, Sari Blair, Gallipoli 1915, Suez Canal, Meggiddo, Egypt 1915-16, Sharon, Palestine 1918, Shaiba, Kut-al Amara 1915, 1917, Ctesiphon, Defence of Kut-al-Amara, Tigris 1916, Baghdad, Khan Bagdadi, Sharqat, Mesopotamia 1915-1918, Persia 1918, North West Frontier India 1915, Baluchistan 1918, Afghanistan 1919

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Iraq 1941, Deir es Zor, Syria 1941, Tobruk 1942, El Alamein, Mareth, Akarit, Djebel el Meida, Enfidaville, Tunis, North Africa 1942-43, Cassino I, Monastery Hill, Pian de Maggio, Campriano, Poggio Del Grillo, Gothic Line, Tavoleto, Coriano, Poggio San Giovanni, Montebello-Scorticata Ridge, Santarcangelo, Monte Reggiano, Monte Chicco, Lamone Crossing, Senio Floodbank, Bologna, Sillaro Crossing, Medicina, Gaiana Crossing, Italy 1944-45, Greece 1944-45, North Malaya, Jitra, Central Malaya, Kampar, Slim River, Johore, Singapore Island, Malaya, 1941-42, Sittang 1942, 1945, Pegu 1942, 1945, Kyaukse 1942, 1945, Monywa 1942, Shwegyin, North Arakan, Imphal, Tuitum, Tamu Road, Shenam Pass, Litan, Bishenpur, Tengnoupal, Shwebo, Kyaukmyaung Bridgehead, Mandalay, Myinmu Bridgehead, Fort Dufferin, Maymo, Meiktila, Capture of Meiktila, Defence of Meiktila, Irrawaddy, Magwe, Rangoon Road, Pyabwe, Toungoo, Point 1433, Arakan Beaches, Myebon, Tamandu, Chindits 1943, 45, Burma 1942-1945 Falkland Islands 1982

Affiliated Regiments King’s Royal Hussars The Royal Regiment of Scotland The Rifles

The formation of The Royal Gurkha Rifles was enacted on 10th September 1994, in line with Options for Change. The four existing rifle regiments of The Brigade of Gurkhas were amalgamated into a large regiment, The Royal Gurkha Rifles. His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales is the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief. On first forming, the Royal Gurkha Rifles had three battalions. These were reduced to two battalions in November 1996 when the 3rd Battalion disbanded on the withdrawal of the 1st Battalion from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles battalions, always being fully manned, were often called upon to provide manpower support to British regiments during operational tours. Companies of riflemen and officers moved complete to the British unit, offering junior and subunit commanders an opportunity to increase their experience of the wider Army whilst still commanding Gurkha soldiers. Over the past fourteen years, the Regiment has provided reinforcement companies to the following: The Royal Scots, The Highlanders, The Parachute Regiment, The Royal Irish Regiment, The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, The Mercian Regiment and The Yorkshire Regiment.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles' two battalions alternate tours of duty between three year tours in the United Kingdom and Brunei. The UK-based Gurkha battalion is under command of 4 Mechanised Brigade and will be re-subordinated to 16 Air Assault Brigade as part of the new Army 2020 concept.

Left (top): Jungle warfare training, Brunei Left (bottom): At ease with fellow British soldiers Below: The Pipes and Drums

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Above: Overseas exercise, Australia, 2013 Right: 2RGR, Afghanistan, 2009

The Brunei-based Gurkha battalion has been deployed in Brunei since the 1962 Brunei revolt at the request of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. The role of the Brunei-based battalion is to provide the British Army’s acclimatised Far East Rapid Reaction Force and to support the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School where jungle warfare instructors are taught and United Kingdom Special Forces conduct training.

The Regiment also provides reinforcements for various specialist posts throughout the Army, including the majority of the manpower for the two Training Support companies at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and the Infantry Battle School, Brecon.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles is a key part of the Adaptive Force component of the British Army. This means it has numerous and varied tasks to fulfil, such as support to the Commonwealth Games, flood relief and deploying training teams to countries including Mali and Kenya. It will soon move to the Reactive Force, where it will be on readiness to respond to events worldwide. The Brunei based battalion continues to be the jungle warfare experts of the British Army and maintains this position by conducting challenging training in the unforgiving jungle.

The Regiment’s battalions have maintained a high operational tempo since their formation in 1994. Early tours included Bosnia in 1995 and 2005, Kosovo in 1999 and East Timor in 1999. After the attacks of September 2001 the units played a central role in the subsequent conflicts. The reinforcement company with the Royal Irish Regiment was involved in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and contributed to the

liberation of Basra. The main focus of the Regiment quickly became Afghanistan. A company was on the initial invasion with the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and Gurkhas had a near constant presence for the rest of the British Army’s deployments in the country. In 2006 a company from the 2nd Battalion supporting the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was involved in the first phase of British operations in Helmand Province. During this landmark tour the Company was in the famous Battle of Now Zad; a set piece battle with the Taliban. Subsequently The 1st Battalion deployed to Helmand in 2007, 2010 and 2012. The 2nd Battalion deployed in 2009 and 2011 and will take part in a tour of Kabul in 2016.

During these tours, Gurkha companies conducted operations to clear insurgents from contested areas, secure the local population, train the local security forces and help the development of the nation. The combat experienced in Afghanistan was some of the most ferocious conducted by the British Army since the Second World War. The Royal Gurkha Rifles suffered fourteen of its members killed in action, and many more wounded, during its time in Afghanistan.

However, it was a hugely successful period and the Regiment had many achievements including numerous Mentioned in Dispatches, eight Military Crosses and a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

previous regiments and their property is on permanent loan to The Royal Gurkha Rifles. They retain the affiliations with The King’s Royal Hussars, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (The Royal Scots) and The Rifles (formally The Royal Green Jackets). The latter affiliation goes back to the days of the Indian Mutiny and an association with the 60th Rifles, from when the origins as a Rifle Regiment began. The Gurkhas adopted the distinctive rifle-green uniform, red facings and black buttons on the collars of tunics. The Rifle Regiment’s marching pace of 140 paces to the minute are also used and were a mean of moving formed bodies around the battlefield at speed. The honour of taking on the title of ‘Riflemen’ means Gurkhas carried forward the tradition of Skirmishers fighting away from the formed lines, using initiative and imaginative tactics. Royal Gurkha Rifle soldiers continue to carry the kukri as both a tool and a secondary weapon in battle, as well as being a defining symbol and joining with the Crown to form the cap badge.

The Regiment has carried forward the traditions of its forbears and the uniform combines their historical embellishments. The Queen’s Truncheon, awarded to the Sirmoor Rifles in Delhi, is in service with the Regiment and is carried as the Regimental Colour. The Drums carry the Battle Honours of the four

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Above: WMIK, 2RGR, Afghanistan, 2009 Right (top): 2RGR, Afghanistan, 2009 Right (bottom): 1RGR Commanding Officer and men celebrating Dasain, Afghanistan, 2010

Left (top): 2RGR soldier assisting with security at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow Left (bottom): Afghanistan, 2009 Below: Commanding Officer, 1RGR, addresses his troops, Afghanistan, 2007

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The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers August 1968. On 21st April 1977, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth approved the title of The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers. 69 Gurkha Independent Field Squadron reformed on 1st March 1981 in Hong Kong and moved to Chatham. In August 1982, Support Squadron was re-designated 70 Support Squadron and disbanded on 18th December 1993 in Hong Kong. 70 Gurkha Field Squadron was reformed and became part of 36 Engineer Regiment with effect from April 2000. Both 69 and 70 Gurkha Field Squadrons re-roled to Search Squadrons in February 2011.

Affiliated regiments The Corps of Royal Engineers

History The first squadron to be raised was 67 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, consisting of Gurkha infantrymen attached to the Royal Engineers at Kluang, Malaya in October 1948, ten months after the transfer of The Brigade of Gurkhas from the Indian Army to the British Army. In August 1950, 68 Field Squadron Royal Engineers was raised at Kluang. Formed by Royal Warrant as the Gurkha Engineers, part of the Brigade of Gurkhas on 28th September 1955, the present designation was granted on 21st April 1977. 70 Gurkha Field Park Squadron was raised at Sungei Besi, Malaya on 1st April 1960 and disbanded in Hong Kong on 17th

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A unique aspect of a Gurkha Engineer is that he is also Infantry trained. He attends a nine month Infantry Recruit and Combat Course at Catterick before starting Engineer trade training.

Since deployment to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong, The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers have been based at Invicta Park, Maidstone. In Brunei they have a boat section in support of the Gurkha resident battalion and to support the British Army Jungle Training Team (TTB). At Minley a detachment is attached to 57 Training Squadron, 3 RSME Regiment, Gibraltar Barracks to train British Military Engineering (Combat) B3 and Infantry Assault Pioneer (Basic) courses. It is the only phase 2 training establishment in the Corps of Royal Engineers and each year trains and supplies between 1100-1300 Combat Engineer Class 3 Soldiers to the Corps.

Operationally The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers have supported deployments in support of the Falklands, Op Tosca to support the United Nations Forces in

Cyprus, Kosovo Op Agricola in which they suffered two fatalities (Lieutenant Gareth Evans and Sergeant Balaram Rai), Op Resinate, Op Fingal Afghanistan 2002, Op Bessemer in Macedonia, Op Telic Iraq 2002, and numerous Afghanistan Op Herrick tours.

In 2008 a 35-man Gurkha Commando Engineer Troop was established in 24 Commando Engineer Regiment requiring candidates to undertake the Royal Marine Commando Course in order to wear the prized Commando dagger. In September 2008 they deployed to Afghanistan in support of 3 Commando Brigade and again on Op Herrick 14 in 2011. A Gurkha troop was also established in 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron and made history as the first Gurkha mechanised engineers. They deployed to Kenya in 2011 to complete several construction projects and also deployed to Afghanistan in March 2012.

The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers were honoured by Maidstone City Council on 2nd October 2008 with the unveiling of a Gurkha statue (a Queen’s Gurkha Engineers Sapper) by Sculptor, Mary Cox outside the Maidstone Museum; the occasion celebrated 15 years of close association of the people of Maidstone with The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers. This statue is only the second such Gurkha statue in the United Kingdom the other stands outside MOD in Whitehall.

On 24th February 2011, Her Majesty the Queen visited The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers for the first time since 1987. It marked the attestation of the 5,000th Queens Gurkha Engineer recruit and the Regiment’s transition to the Advance Search role.

Images: Queens Gurkha Engineers at work

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Images Queens Gurkha Engineers at work

Images: Queens Gurkha Engineers at work

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Queen’s Gurkha Signals and on 21st April 1977, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II approved the title “Queen’s Gurkha Signals. On 16th May 1983 Queen’s Gurkha Signals restructured to a regimental organisation with three field squadrons in Hong Kong; 246, 247 and 248 Squadrons.

The organisations and units, which currently comprise Queen’s Gurkha Signals are: • Regimental Headquarters Queen’s Gurkha Signals (Bramcote), 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron (York) • 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron (MOD Stafford) • 250 Gurkha Signal Squadron (Bramcote) • 11 (RSS) Signal Regiment (Blandford)

Affiliated regiments Royal Corps of Signals

History Raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya in 1948, by Major A C Cox Royal Signals, from Gurkha soldiers of each of the eight battalions of the then new Brigade of Gurkhas. This together with re-enlisted ex-servicemen of the Indian Army, British officers and soldiers of Royal Signals, formed the Gurkha Signals Training and Holding Wing in early 1949. The first elements were designated “Royal Signals Gurkha”. In 1952 this was changed to “Gurkha Royal Signals”. The present badge was granted on 23rd September 1954, which is now celebrated as the official Regimental Birthday.

The regimental title became “Gurkha Signals” in 1955

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• Brunei Signal Troop (Brunei) • Nepal Signal Troop (Nepal) • Alpha Troop 217 Signal Squadron (MOD Stafford) • Royal Signals Infantry Support Team 1RGR • Royal Signal Infantry Support Team 2RGR A unique aspect of a Gurkha Signaller is that he is also infantry trained. He attends a nine month Infantry Recruit and Combat Course at Catterick, before starting signal trade training.

Operationally the Queen’s Gurkha Signals have supported deployments to Iraq/Kuwait Op Granby, Turkey Op Resinate North, Balkans Op Resolute/ Palatine, Saudi Arabia Op Jural, Ruwanda Op Gabriel, Congo/Brazzaville Op Determinant, Kuwait Op Resinate South, East Timor Op Langar, Macedonia/Kosovo Op Agricola, Sierra Leone Op

Basilica/Silkman, USA Op Veritas, Afghanistan Op Saphire/Fingal, Iraq/Kuwait/Qatar Op Telic/Grimes, Afghanistan Op Herrick, Lebanon/Cyprus Op Highbrow, and Italy/Libya Op Ellamy.

Besides the heavy operational commitments 250 Squadron has been at the forefront preparing FALCON, the latest strategic communications system of the British Army to deploy to Afghanistan.

Queen’s Gurkha Signals were honoured by the Borough Council of Nuneaton and Bedworth by being granted the Freedom of the Borough on 26th September 2010. There has been a close association between the Regiment and the local community since 1993.

Queen’s Gurkha Signals, since moving to the United Kingdom has been the organiser of TRAILWALKER for the annual charity fundraising in support of The Gurkha Welfare Trust and Oxfam since 2002. Since the beginning, the 100km event, from The Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Petersfield to Brighton Race course, has been attended by military teams and civilian ultrathon runners. Oxfam manages the marketing and recruitment and Queen’s Gurkha Signals organise the event. Currently, with over five hundred teams entering the competition annually the benefit to both charities is over £1.3 million each year.

Images: Queens Gurkha Signals at work

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Images: Queens Gurkha Signals in Afghanistan

Images: Queens Gurkha Signals in Afghanistan Signaller Sudin Gurung, Queen’s Medal Winner, Bisley, 2012

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The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment two regular task squadrons – supply, and fuel and general transport. As well as manning extra regimental employed posts, the Regiment is also responsible for providing the chefs to all Gurkha units.

Affiliated regiment Royal Logistic Corps

History The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR) is a Theatre Logistic Regiment. It currently is the only Gurkha unit that forms part of the British Army’s high readiness force created to undertake short notice contingency tasks and provide the Army’s conventional deterrence for defence. The role of the Regiment is to provide formation level logistics to its supported brigade and Force Support within a theatre of operations. It is structured, equipped and trained to undertake the full spectrum of intervention tasks and enduring operations and comprises a regimental headquarters, headquarters squadron and

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Raised in Singapore in 1958 as the Gurkha Army Service Corps (Gurkha ASC), it was manned by British officers seconded from the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) and Gurkha officers and soldiers who were transferred from the Gurkha battalions.

Thereafter, Gurkha soldiers were posted-in directly on completion of their recruit training. By 1962, the Gurkha ASC was fully formed and trained to take its place in The Brigade of Gurkhas’ Order of Battle and consisted of a headquarters stationed in Malaya and four companies serving in the United Kingdom, Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong.

A company of the Gurkha ASC was first deployed on operations in 1962 on the outbreak of a rebellion in the Sultanate of Brunei. Indonesian Confrontation with Malaysia followed and the companies of the Gurkha ASC were committed to supporting operations in Borneo and the Malay Peninsula over the next four years. During this period, the Army’s logistic services were re-organised and in 1965 the Gurkha ASC was redesignated The Gurkha Transport Regiment (GTR).

At the end of Confrontation in 1966, there followed a major run down of The Brigade of Gurkhas, coupled with the withdrawal of British Forces from Malaysia and Singapore. The Regiment was reduced to a headquarters and two transport squadrons and concentrated in Hong Kong by 1971. This now became

its home for the next 25 years where it provided transport support to the Hong Kong Garrison, operated the Colony’s military armoured personnel carriers and took part in anti-illegal immigrant operations along the Sino-Hong Kong border.

In 1990, a composite Gurkha transport squadron was formed and deployed from Hong Kong to Saudi Arabia and took part in the First Gulf War in the ambulance role.

This was the first time that Gurkhas had served in the Middle East on operations since the Second World War. Later the same year, another composite squadron was formed by the Regiment and deployed to Cyprus for six months to serve with the United Nations Force; this was also the first occasion that a British Gurkha unit had served with the United Nations. In 1992, in recognition of the Regiment’s operational service, Her Majesty the Queen approved the grant of the royal title ‘The Queen’s Own Gurkha Transport Regiment’ (QOGTR). The next year, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was appointed Affiliated Colonel-in-Chief, which is a unique appointment to the Gurkha corps regiments.

As part of an overall reduction in the size of Britain’s Armed Forces and the impending hand-back of Hong Kong to China in 1997, there now followed a further major cut in the strength of The Brigade of Gurkhas.

QOGTR was reduced to a small headquarters and single squadron, which moved to the United Kingdom on a permanent basis in 1993. The following year this squadron undertook Public Duties at the Tower of London and in 1995 it became the first Gurkha unit to be deployed on operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia with the United Nations Protection Force.

Left (top): Senior ranks from 34 Transport Squadron GTR UNFICYP heading for Cyprus 1991 Left (bottom): GTR, Borneo Confrontation, c. 1960’s Below: GTR supporting internal security training Hong Kong c. 1970’s

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Above: GTR in the First Gulf War, 1991 Right (top): QOGLR assisting to tackle Ebola, Sierra Leone, 2015 Right (bottom): QOGLR Combat Logistics Patrol combined with US and Afghan forces, Afghanistan, 2010 Right: Afghanistan, 2012

Further tours to the Balkans followed both with the United Nations and NATO. From 2001, the Regiment began to expand with the formation of a squadron in the specialist stores role in a Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Supply Regiment and the transfer-in of all Gurkha chefs from The Royal Gurkha Rifles. To reflect the Regiment’s wider logistic role its title was changed to The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR). A further transport squadron was formed in 2005 and the following year the RLC regiment with its two Gurkha transport squadrons was re-designated 10 Transport Regiment QOGLR with the addition of a re-designated Headquarters Squadron.

The Regiment took part in the Iraq War in 2003, and, uniquely was the only formed Gurkha unit to have taken part in both the 1991 and 2003 conflicts. Further operational tours by squadrons of the Regiment in Iraq followed in 2004 and 2006. In 2007, the Regiment deployed as part of the United Nations Force in Cyprus in the infantry role; this was also the only year that QOGLR has won the Nepal Cup! Throughout this period, detachments of the regiment also served on operations with other Gurkha units in the Balkans, East Timor, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

had served together on operations, to include the Colonel of the Regiment in his role as Brigade Commander. Further deployments to Afghanistan by the Regimental Headquarters and individual squadrons followed in 2011, in the logistic support and police mentoring roles, as well as to Cyprus with the United Nations. However, all this was increasingly overshadowed by the 2010 Defence Review leading to restructuring and major reductions in the Army, The Brigade of Gurkhas and the Regiment.

At the close of 2014, combat operations came to an end in Afghanistan as did two decades of continuous operational deployments by the Regiment to the Balkans, Iraq, Cyprus and Afghanistan. The Regiment was by now concentrated in Aldershot, the traditional home of The British Army, restructured as part of Army 2020 and ready to face future contingency operations.

The Regiment celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in Aldershot and Kathmandu during 2008 when 10 Transport Regiment QOGLR was re-designated 10 QOGLR. The next year all the QOGLR squadrons deployed to Afghanistan; notably this was the first occasion since being raised that the whole Regiment

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The Band Of The Brigade Of Gurkhas Gurkha regiments have had military bands since the middle of the nineteenth century. The Sirmoor Rifle Regiment, later 2nd Gurkha Rifles, was the first Gurkha regiment to form a band immediately after the Indian Mutiny in 1859, although it was another 20 years before official sanction was given for regiments of the Indian Army to raise military bands. By the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 there were ten Gurkha Infantry Regiments in the Indian Army, most of whom had both pipe and military bands.

The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas is one of 24 military bands currently serving in the British Army and comprises a Director of Music, from the Corps of Army Music, and 35 Gurkha musicians. All Gurkha musicians undergo basic infantry training with all other Gurkha recruits before being auditioned and accepted into the band, where they receive formal musical training. This includes attendance at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall. The Band provides military music for the ceremonial parades of units of The Brigade of Gurkhas as well as to the wider army and regularly performs at tattoos, concerts, shows and commemorative events both in the United Kingdom and overseas, keeping the Army, and The Brigade of Gurkhas, in the public eye. Like all military bands, the band also has an operational role to support the medical services on deployed operations in chemical decontamination, for which it trains on a regular basis.

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In 1948, following Indian Independence, four of the ten Gurkha infantry regiments of the Indian Army were transferred to the British Army. All four of these regiments had military bands, but none of their bandsmen opted to serve with the British Army. On transfer, therefore, each of the four regiments was given the choice of raising either a military or pipe band. Only 2nd Gurkha Rifles elected to re-raise its military band, while the other three Gurkha Regiments decided to re-form their pipe bands. However, in the mid 1950s, authority was given to raise a staff band for The Brigade of Gurkhas. This band served the Brigade in the Far East for 15 years until 1970 when, as a result of a major rundown in the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas, it was amalgamated with the Regimental Band of 2nd Gurkha Rifles. The new Band was badged 2nd Gurkha Rifles and designated The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas (2nd King Edward’s VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles) and alternated its service between Hong Kong, where most Gurkha units were based, and the resident Gurkha battalions in the United Kingdom and Brunei. Twenty years after being formed, the Band undertook its first operational tour of duty by providing support to the Army’s deployed medical units during the Gulf War of 1991.

At the beginning of 1994, as part of a further reduction in the size of The Brigade of Gurkhas and the drawdown of the Hong Kong Garrison, the Band was re-located on a permanent basis to the United Kingdom. Later the same year, the four Gurkha rifle regiments were amalgamated into the Royal Gurkha Rifles and the Band was re-structured and designated The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas.

Since being stationed in the United Kingdom, the Band has undertaken an ever expanding programme of performances both at home and overseas. In addition to playing at the parades of units within The Brigade of Gurkhas, it has been the resident band for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, served on short tours of duty with British Forces both in Germany and Cyprus and deployed as a military band to the operational theatres of Bosnia and Afghanistan. It now has its own distinctive uniform and insignia and will often be seen marching at 140 paces to the minute while playing the Brigade march, Yo Nepali, at parades and events throughout the country. It is also recognised as one of the British Army’s premier concert bands.

Left (top): Performing at Shorncliffe, 2009 Left (bottom): With Col Hamish MacKay DSO and Bar 4GR, Erskine Hospital Glasgow, 1986 Below: Performing in Episkopi, Cyprus, 2009

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Gurkha Staff And Personnel Support Company broad principles on the future management of Gurkha military clerks. This included a recommendation that Gurkha military clerks should be re-organised along the lines of the Combat Human Resource Specialists in the wider Army, which would give increased career opportunities for Gurkha clerks.

On the evening of the 30th June 2011 at a parade at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe near Dover, the clerks of the Brigade of Gurkhas exchanged their Royal Gurkha Rifles’ cap badge for the badge of the newly formed Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support Company (GSPS Coy). This parade was held in the presence of the Colonel Commandant Brigade of Gurkhas, General Sir David Richards GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen. The then Director Staff and Personnel Support (Army), Brigadier Nicky Moffat Late AGC (SPS), assumed the inaugural appointment of Colonel GSPS. The formation of the GSPS Company was the result of a major review in 2007 which sought to harmonize the terms and conditions of service of Gurkhas with the rest of The British Army. In July 2009, the Executive Committee of the Army Board (ECAB) endorsed the

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Gurkhas have been in British service since 1815 when four irregular corps enlisting Gurkhas were raised as part of the Honourable East India Company. Over the next century the number of Gurkha regiments expanded until by the outbreak of the First World War there were ten infantry regiments each comprising two battalions. Within each Gurkha battalion there evolved a clerical establishment, initially manned by Indian civilians known as ‘writers’ and later a mix of Indian and Gurkha military clerks, the latter having been enlisted as line boys. These were the sons of Gurkhas who were born and brought up within the regimental lines in India. They were usually better educated than those Gurkhas recruited from the hills of Nepal and were enlisted as signallers, bandsmen and clerks.

Each battalion had its own clerical structure headed by its own jemadar (junior Indian/Gurkha officer promoted through the ranks) who was designated the Jemadar or Head Clerk.

Following the independence of India in 1947, the ten Gurkha regiments were divided between Britain and India and on 1st January 1948, four regiments, each comprising two battalions, were transferred to The British Army. Each of the Gurkha battalions and the newly raised Gurkha Engineers and Signals (Gurkha

Corps units), known collectively as the Brigade of Gurkhas, had its own clerical establishment, which mirrored that of British regiments. However, in the early years the Brigade struggled to recruit Gurkha soldiers from Nepal with the necessary skills required of clerks, primarily because at that time schooling in Nepal was very rudimentary. The majority of clerks were therefore recruited from the Gurkha communities in and around the Darjeeling District in North East India where they had the benefit of a better schooling and education. In the 1970s, the recruiting policy for The Gurkhas was changed and only clerks domiciled in Nepal were enlisted.

In The Brigade of Gurkhas all recruits, to include potential clerks, underwent the same initial basic training. Thereafter, and similar to soldiers of the Gurkha Corps units, clerks underwent special to arm and role training before joining their respective regiments where their careers were managed by individual units. As well as serving at regimental duty, clerks were employed in the Headquarters of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Training Depot, Manning and Records Office and on the Gurkha lines of communication in India (until 1972 when the Transit Depot in Calcutta was closed) and Nepal. The clerks’ structure in each major unit was headed by a Lieutenant/Captain (Queen’s Gurkha Officer (QGO)) while the senior clerks employed outside units could expect to serve in the rank of Major (QGO), which was the most senior rank that could be achieved by a QGO.

Gurkha clerks continued to be regimentally capbadged until 1994 when, as part of restructuring of The British Army and drawdown of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the four Gurkha Rifle regiments were amalgamated to form The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Because of the reduction of the Gurkha Corps units to squadron sized units it was decided to re-badge all clerks into The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

This was despite the fact that in the previous year all Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) Staff clerks and the Army’s regimental clerks had been formed into the Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) Branch of the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC). It was to be another seventeen years before the clerks of The Royal Gurkha Rifles were to have their own identity eventually realised by being formed as the GSPS Coy with their own structure, insignia and Representative Colonel.

Like all other Gurkha units GSPS Coy forms a constituent part of the Brigade of Gurkhas, with Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas as its parent Directorate and the Directorate SPS (Army) as the employing Service Directorate.

Images: The GSPS taking part in military skills competitions; Black Rat and Triple Crown, 2012

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Gurkha holders of the Victoria Cross With almost uninterrupted operational service throughout its 200 years of history Gurkhas – both British and Nepalese, officers, NCO’s and riflemen, have earned a fearsome reputation for acts of bravery and valour. Many of these selfless acts would have gone unrecorded but many others have resulted in a multitude of awards and decorations.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” and the following citations record the 26 VC’s awarded over the past two centuries to members of the Brigade.

It is worth noting that until 1911 the VC was not awarded to non-British nationals with the British Indian Army equivalent being the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) First Class. Between 1837 and 1944 the Brigade earned over 4,487 IOM’s – of all three classes. Soldiers of the Brigade have also been awarded two George Crosses, the civilian equivalent of the VC and Major (GCO) Purne Rai SB DSO OBE MC OBI 10th Gurkha Rifles remains the most decorated member of the Brigade.

Lieutenant John Adam Tytler

1st Gurkha Rifles, India, 10th February 1858 “On the attacking parties approaching the enemy’s position under a heavy fire of round shot, grape, and musketry, on the occasion of the Action at Choorpoorah, on 10th February last, Lieutenant Tytler dashed on horseback ahead of all, and alone, up to the enemy’s guns, where he remained engaged hand to hand, until they were carried by us; and where he was shot through the left arm, had a spear wound in his chest, and a ball through the right sleeve of his coat.”

London Gazette 24th August 1858.

Major Donald Macintyre

2nd Gurkha Rifles, India, 4th January 1872 “For his gallant conduct in the storming of the stockaded village of Lalgnoora (in Looshai) on 4th January, 1872.

Colonel MacPherson C.B., V.C. Commanding the 2nd Goorkha Regiment, in which Lieutenant-Colonel Macintyre was serving at the time as second in command, reports that this officer, who led the assault, was the first to reach the stockade (on this side from 8 to 9 feet high); and that to climb over and disappear among the flames and smoke of the burning village, was the work of a very short time. The stockade, he adds, was successfully stormed by this Officer under fire, the heaviest the Looshais delivered that day”.

London Gazette 27th September 1872.

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Gurkha holders of the Victoria Cross Captain George Nicholas Channer

1st Gurkha Rifles, Malaya, 20th December 1875 “For having with the greatest gallantry, been the first to jump into the Enemy’s Stockade, to which he had been dispatched with a small party of the 1st Ghoorkha Light Infantry, on the afternoon of 20 December, 1875 by the Officer commanding the Malacca Column, to procure intelligence as to its strength, position, etc.

Major Channer got completely in rear of the Enemy’s position, and finding himself so close that he could hear the voices of the men inside, who were cooking at the time, and keeping no look out, he beckoned to his men, and the whole party stole quietly forward to within a few paces of the Stockade. On jumping in, he shot the first man dead with his revolver, and his party then came up, and entered the Stockade, which was of a most formidable nature, surrounded by a bamboo palisade; about seven yards within was a log-house, loopholed, with two narrow entrances, and trees laid latitudinally, to the thickness of two feet.

The Officer commanding reports that if Major Channer by his foresight, coolness and intrepidity, had not taken the Stockade, a great loss of life must have occurred, as from the fact of him being unable to bring guns to bear on it, from the steepness of the hill, and the density of the jungle, it must have been taken at the point of the bayonet”.

London Gazette 14th April 1876.

Captain John Cook

5th Gurkha Rifles, Afghanistan, 2nd December 1878 “For a signal act of valour at the action of the Peiwar Kotal on the 2nd December, 1878, in having, during a very heavy fire, charged out of the entrenchments with such impetuosity that the enemy broke and fled, when, perceiving at the close of the melee, the danger of Major Galbraith, Assistant Adjutant-General, Kurum Column Field Force, who was in personal conflict with an Afghan soldier, Captain Cook distracted his attention to himself, and aiming a sword cut which the Douranee avoided, sprang upon him, and, grasping his throat, grappled with him.

They both fell to the ground. The Douranee, a most powerful man, still endeavouring to use his rifle, seized Captain Cook’s arm in his teeth, until the struggle was ended by the man being shot through the head”.

London Gazette 18th March 1878

Captain Richard Kirby Ridgeway

8th Gurkha Rifles, India, 22nd November 1879 “For conspicuous gallantry throughout the attack on Konoma (Eastern Frontier of India), on the 22nd November, 1879, more especially in the final assault, when, under a heavy fire from the enemy, he rushed up to a barricade and attempted to tear down the planking surrounding it, to enable him to effect an entrance, in which act he received a very severe rifle shot wound in the left shoulder”.

London Gazette 11th May 1880.

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Gurkha holders of the Victoria Cross Lieutenant Charles James William Grant 8th Gurkha Rifles, India, 27th March 1891

“For the conspicuous bravery and devotion to his country displayed by him in having, upon hearing on the 27th March, 1891, of the disaster at Manipur, at once volunteered to attempt the relief of the British Captives, with 80 Native Soldiers, and having advanced with the greatest intrepidity, captured Thobal, near Manipur, and held it against a large force of the enemy.

Lieutenant Grant inspired his men with equal heroism, by an ever-present example of personal daring and resource” London Gazette 26th May 1891.

Lieutenant Guy Hudleston Boisragon 5th Gurkha Rifles, India, 2nd December 1891

“For his conspicuous bravery in the assault and capture of the Nilt Fort (Hunza) on 2nd December, 1891 This officer led the assault with dash and determination, and forced his way through difficult obstacles to the inner gate, when he returned for reinforcements, moving intrepidly to and fro under a heavy cross-fire, until he had collected sufficient men to relieve the hardly pressed storming party and drive the enemy from the fort”.

London Gazette 12th July 1892.

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8. Lieutenant John Manners-Smith 5th Gurkha Rifles, India, 20th December 1891

“For his conspicuous bravery when leading the storming party at the attack and capture of the strong position occupied by the enemy near Nilt, in the Hunza-Nagar Country, on 20th December, 1891.

The position was, owing to the nature of the country, an extremely strong one, and had barred the advance of the force for seventeen days. It was eventually forced by a small party of 50 rifles, with another of equal strength in support. The first of these parties was under the command of Lieutenant Smith, and it was entirely due to his splendid leading, and the coolness, combined with dash, he displayed while doing so, that a success was obtained.

For nearly four hours, on the face of a cliff which was almost precipitous, he steadily moved his handful of men from point to point, as the difficulties of the ground and showers of stones from above gave him an opportunity, and during the whole of this time he was in such a position as to be unable to defend himself from any attack the enemy might choose to make.

He was the first man to reach the summit, within a few yards of the enemy’s sungars, which was immediately rushed, Lieutenant Smith pistolling the first man”.

London Gazette 12th July 1892.

Gurkha holders of the Victoria Cross 9. Captain William George Walker

10. Lieutenant John Duncan Grant

“During the return of Major Gough’s column to Danop on 22nd April last, after the action at Daratoleh, the rear-guard got considerably in rear of the column, owing to the thick bush, and to having to hold their ground while wounded men were being placed on camels. At this time Captain Bruce was shot through the body from a distance of about 20 yards, and fell on the path unable to move. Captains Walker and Rolland, two men of the 2nd Battalion King’s African Rifles, one Sikh and one Somali of the Camel Corps were with him when he fell.

“On the occasion of the storming of the Gyantse Jong on 6th July, 1904, the storming Company, headed by Lieutenant Grant, on emerging from the cover of the village, had to advance up a bare, almost precipitous rock-face, with little or no cover available, and under a heavy fire from the curtain, flanking towers on both side of the curtain, and other buildings higher up the Jong. Showers of rocks and stones were at the time being hurled down the hillside by the enemy from above. One man could only go up at a time, crawling on hands and knees, to the breach in the curtain.

4th Gurkha Rifles, Somaliland, 22nd April 1903

In the meantime the column being unaware of what had happened were getting further away. Captain Rolland then ran back some 500 yards and returned with assistance to bring off Captain Bruce, while Captain Walker and the men remained with that Officer, endeavouring to keep off the enemy, who were all round in the thick bush. This they succeeded in doing, but not before Captain Bruce was hit a second time, and the Sikh wounded. But for the gallant conduct displayed by these Officers and men, Captain Bruce must have fallen into the hands of the enemy.”

London Gazette 7th August 1903.

8th Gurkha Rifles, Tibet, 5th July 1904

Lieutenant Grant, followed by Havildar Karbir Pun, 8th Gurkha Rifles, at once attempted to scale it, but on reaching the top was wounded and hurled back, as was also the Havildar, who fell down the rock some 30 feet.

Regardless of their injuries they again attempted to scale the breach, and, covered by the fire of the men below, were successful in their object, the Havildar shooting one of the enemy on gaining the top. The successful issue of the assault was very greatly due to the splendid example shown by Lieutenant Grant and Havildar Karbir Pun. The latter has been recommended for the Indian Order of Merit”.

London Gazette 24th January 1905.

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gurkha holders of the victoria cross 11. Rifleman Kulbir Thapa

3rd Gurkha Rifles, France, 25th-26th September 1915 “For most conspicuous bravery during operations against the German trenches, south of Mauquissart.

When himself wounded, on 25th September, 1915, he found a badly wounded soldier of the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment behind the first line German trench, and, though urged by the British soldier to save himself, he remained with him all day and night.

In the early morning of the 26th September, in misty weather, he brought him out through the German wire, and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two wounded Gurkhas one after the other. He then went back in broad daylight for the British soldier and brought him in also, carrying him most of the way and being at most points under enemy’s fire”.

London Gazette 18th November 1915.

12. Major George Campbell Wheeler

9th Gurkha Rifles, Mesopotamia, 23rd February 1917 “For the most conspicuous bravery and determination. This officer together with one Gurkha officer and eight men crossed a river and immediately rushed the enemy’s trench under heavy bombing, rifle, machine gun, and artillery fire. Having obtained a footing on the river bank, he was almost immediately afterwards counter-attacked by a strong enemy party with bombers. Major Campbell Wheeler at once led a charge with another officer and three men, receiving a severe bayonet wound in the head, but managed, in spite of this, to disperse the enemy.

This bold act on his part undoubtedly saved the situation. In spite of his wound, he continued to consolidate his position.”

London Gazette 8th June 1917.

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13. Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Palestine, 10th April 1918

“For most conspicuous bravery, resource in action under adverse conditions, and utter contempt for danger.

During an attack he, with a few other men, succeeded under intense fire in creeping forward with a Lewis gun in order to engage an enemy machine gun which had caused severe casualties to officers and other ranks who had attempted to put it out of action.

No. 1 of the Lewis gun opened fire, and was shot immediately.

Without a moment’s hesitation Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana pushed the dead man off the gun, and in spite of bombs thrown at him and heavy fire from both flanks, he opened fire and knocked out the machine-gun crew; then, switching his fire on to the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him, he silenced their fire.

He kept his gun in action and showed the greatest coolness in removing defects which on two occasions prevented the gun from firing. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work, and when a withdrawal was ordered he assisted with covering fire until the enemy were close on him. He displayed throughout a very high standard of valour and devotion to duty”.

London Gazette 21st June 1918.

gurkha holders of the victoria cross 14. Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa

15. Havildar Gaje Ghale

“…Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa took command of the remaining two sections and led them forward towards the main feature on the outer ridge, in order to break through and secure the one and only passage by which the vital commanding feature could be seized to cover the penetration of the Division into the hills… This steep cleft was thickly studded with a series of enemy posts, the inner of which contained an anti-tank gun and the remainder medium machine-guns. After passing through the narrow cleft, one emerges into a small arena with very steep sides, some 200 feet in height, and in places sheer cliff…

“In order to stop an advance into the Chin Hills of greatly superior Japanese forces it was essential to capture Basha East Hill which was the key to the enemy position. Two assaults had failed but a third assault was ordered to be carried out… Havildar Gaje Ghale was in command of one platoon: he had never been under fire before and the platoon consisted of young soldiers. The approach for this platoon to their objective was along a narrow knife-edge with precipitous sides and bare of jungle whereas the enemy positions were well concealed. In places, the approach was no more than five yards wide and was covered by a dozen machine guns besides being subjected to artillery and mortar fire…

2nd Gurkha Rifles, Tunisia, 5th-6th April 1943

The garrison of the outer posts were all killed by Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa and his men by kukri or bayonet in the first rush and the enemy then opened very heavy fire straight down the narrow enclosed pathway and steep arena sides.

Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa led his men on and fought his way up the narrow gully straight through the enemy’s fire… The next machine-gun posts were dealt with, Subadar Lalbahadur personally killing two men with his kukri and two more with his revolver. …He and two Riflemen managed to reach the crest, where Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa killed another two men with his kukri, the Riflemen killed two more and the rest fled. Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa then secured the whole feature and covered his Company’s advance up the defile.

5th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 27th May 1943

While preparing for the attack the platoon came under heavy mortar fire but Havildar Gaje Ghale rallied them and led them forward. Approaching to close range of the well-entrenched enemy, the platoon came under withering fire and this N.C.O. was wounded in the arm, chest and leg by an enemy hand grenade. Without pausing to attend to his serious wounds and with no heed to the intensive fire from all sides, Havildar Gaje Ghale closed his men and led them to close grips with the enemy when a bitter hand to hand struggle ensured.

…The outstanding leadership, gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety shown by Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa were an example to the whole Company, and the ruthless determination of this Gurkha officer to reach his objective and kill his enemy had a decisive effect on the success of the whole operation.”

Havildar Gaje Ghale dominated the fight by his outstanding example of dauntless courage and superb leadership. Hurling hand grenades, covered in blood from his own neglected wounds, he led assault after assault encouraging his platoon by shouting the Gurkha’s battle-cry. Spurred on by the irresistible will of their leader to win, the platoon stormed and carried the hill by a magnificent all out effort and inflicted very heavy casualties on the Japanese…”

Extracts from London Gazette 15th June 1943.

Extracts from London Gazette 30th September 1943.

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gurkha holders of the victoria cross 16. Captain Michael Allmand

17. Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun

“Captain Allmand was commanding the leading platoon of a Company of the 6th Gurkha Rifles… when the Battalion was ordered to attack the Pin Hmi Road Bridge. …The approach to the Bridge was very narrow as the road was banked up and the low-lying land on either side was swampy and densely covered in jungle. The Japanese who were dug in along the banks of the road and in the jungle with machine guns and small arms, were putting up the most desperate resistance. As the platoon came within twenty yards of the Bridge, the enemy opened heavy and accurate fire, inflicting severe casualties and forcing the men to take cover.

Captain Allmand, however, with the utmost gallantry charged on by himself, hurling grenades into the enemy gun positions and killing three Japanese himself with his kukrie. Inspired by the splendid example of their platoon commander the surviving men followed him and captured their objective.

“…a Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles was ordered to attack the Railway Bridge at Mogaung. …the enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from a position known as the Red House and from a strong bunker position two hundred yards to the left of it… …both the leading platoons of “B” Company, one of which was Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun’s, were pinned to the ground and the whole of his Section was wiped out with the exception of himself, the Section Commander and one other man. The Section commander immediately led the remaining men in a charge on the Red House but was at once badly wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun and his remaining companion continued the charge, but the latter too was immediately badly wounded.

6th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 11th-23rd June 1944

Two days later Captain Allmand… took over command of the Company and, dashing thirty yards ahead of it through long grass and marshy ground, swept by machine gun fire, personally killed a number of enemy machine gunners and successfully led his men onto the ridge of high ground that they had been ordered to seize.

Once again on June 23rd in the final attack on the Railway Bridge at Mogaung, Captain Allmand, although suffering from trench-foot, which made it difficult for him to walk, moved forward alone through deep mud and shell holes and charged a Japanese machine gun nest single-handed, but he was mortally wounded and died shortly afterwards.

The superb gallantry, outstanding leadership and protracted heroism of this very brave officer were a wonderful example to the whole Battalion…”

Extracts from London Gazette 26th October 1944.

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6th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 23rd June 1944

Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun then seized the Bren gun, and firing from the hip as he went, continued the charge on this heavily bunkered position alone, in the face of the most shattering concentration of automatic fire, directed straight at him. With the dawn coming up behind him, he presented a perfect target to the Japanese. He had to move for thirty yards over open ground, ankle deep in mud, through shell holes and over fallen trees. Despite these overwhelming odds, he reached the Red House and closed with the Japanese occupants. He killed three and put five more to flight and captured two light machine guns and much ammunition. He then gave accurate supporting fire from the bunker to the remainder of his platoon which enabled them to reach their objective.

His outstanding courage and superb gallantry… were most inspiring to all ranks and were beyond praise”.

Extract from London Gazette 9th November 1944.

gurkha holders of the victoria cross 18. Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa

5th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 25th-26th June 1944 “Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa was in command of… the isolated piquet known as Mortar Bluff… Owing to its commanding position the retention of Mortar Bluff was vital to the safety of other positions farther down the ridge and to Bishenpur itself. …the enemy began to attack. For this purpose a 75 millimetre and a 37 millimetre gun… poured shell after shell at point blank range for ten minutes into the narrow confines of the piquet, and this was followed by a determined attack of not less than one company of Japanese. A fierce fight ensued in which Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa’s men, exhorted by their leader, held their ground against heavy odds and drove the enemy back with disproportionate losses… …Still in considerable strength and as determined and ferocious as ever the enemy poured out from the jungle… to the piquet defences… …both the L.M.G. and T.M.G. of one section jammed… and the enemy … over-ran this and another section, killing or wounding 12 out of the 16 men… Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa himself… stemmed any further advance with grenades. …at 0400 hours a section of 8 men with grenades and small arms ammunition arrived. Their arrival inevitably drew fire and all the 8 were soon casualties… Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa retrieved the ammunition and … took the offensive… Whilst so doing he received a bullet wound in the mouth followed shortly by a grenade which killed him outright. His body was found next day, khukri in hand and a dead Japanese with a cleft skull by his side. …His fine example of personal bravery and his high sense of duty so inspired his men that a vital position was held to the limit of human endurance…”

Extracts from London Gazette 12th October 1944

19. Rifleman Sherbahadur Thapa

9th Gurkha Rifles, Italy, 18th-19th September 1944 “…Rifleman Sherbahadur Thapa was a number one Bren gunner in a rifle Company which… came under heavy enemy observed small arms and mortar fire. He and his section commander charged an enemy post, killing the machine gunner and putting the rest of the post to flight. Almost immediately another party of Germans attacked the two men and the section commander was badly wounded by a grenade, but, without hesitation, this Rifleman, in spite of intense fire, rushed at the attackers and reaching the crest of the ridge brought his Bren gun into action against the main body of the enemy who were counter-attacking our troops. …By the intensity and accuracy of their fire which he could bring to bear only from the crest, this isolated Gurkha Bren gunner silenced several enemy machine guns and checked a number of Germans who were trying to infiltrate on to the ridge.

At the end of two hours both forward Companies had exhausted their ammunition and, as they were by then practically surrounded, they were ordered to withdraw. Rifleman Sherbahadur Thapa covered their withdrawal as they crossed the open ground to positions in the rear and himself remained alone at his post until his ammunition ran out. He then dashed forward under accurate small arms and mortar fire and rescued two wounded men, who were lying between him and the advancing Germans.

While returning the second time he paid the price for his heroism and fell riddled by machine gun bullets fired at point blank range.

The great bravery of this Gurkha soldier was instrumental in saving the lives of many of his companions and his outstanding devotion to duty contributed largely to the severe reverse which the enemy eventually suffered when our troops counter-attacked”.

Extracts from London Gazette 28th December 1944.

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gurkha holders of the victoria cross 20. Naik Agansing Rai

21. Rifleman Thaman Gurung

“…After a preliminary artillery concentration, the Company went into the attack but on reaching a false crest about 80 yards from its objective, it was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire from a machine-gun in “Mortar Bluff” and a .37millimetre gun in the jungle, suffering many casualties. Naik Agansing Rai, appreciating that more delay would inevitably result in heavier casualties, at once led his section under withering fire directly at the machine-gun and, firing as he went, charged the position, himself killing three of the crew of four. Inspired by this cool act of bravery the section surged forward across the bullet swept ground and routed the whole garrison of “Mortar Bluff”.

“…Rifleman Thaman Gurung then started to work his way to the summit, but suddenly the second scout attracted his attention to the Germans… preparing to fire with a machine-gun at the leading section. Realizing that if the enemy succeeded in opening fire, the section would certainly sustain heavy casualties, Rifleman Thaman Gurung leapt to his feet and charged them. Completely taken by surprise, the Germans surrendered without opening fire.

5th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 26th June 1944

This position was now under intense fire from the .37 millimetre gun in the jungle and from “Water Piquet”. Naik Agansing Rai at once advanced towards the gun, … killed three of the crew and his men killed the other two. The party then returned to “Mortar Bluff” where the rest of their platoon were forming up for the final assault on “Water Piquet”. In the subsequent advance heavy machine-gun fire and showers of grenades from an isolated bunker position caused further casualties. Once more, with indomitable courage, Naik Agansing Rai, covered by his Bren gunner, advanced alone with a grenade in one hand and his Thompson Sub-Machine gun in the other… and… killed all four occupants of the bunker. The enemy… now fled before the onslaught on “Water Piquet” and this position too was captured.

Naik Agansing Rai’s magnificent display of initiative, outstanding bravery and gallant leadership, so inspired the rest of the Company that, in spite of heavy casualties, the result of this important action was never in doubt”.

Extract from London Gazette 5th October 1944.

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5th Gurkha Rifles, Italy, 10th November 1944

…Although the sky-line was devoid of cover and under accurate machine gun fire… Rifleman Thaman Gurung immediately crossed it, firing his Tommy gun, thus allowing the forward section to reach the summit, but due to heavy fire from the enemy machine guns, the platoon was ordered to withdraw.

Rifleman Thaman Gurung then again crossed the sky-line alone and although… exposed to heavy fire… put burst after burst of Tommy gun fire into the German slit trenches, until his ammunition ran out. He then threw two grenades he had with him and rejoining his section, collected two more grenades and again doubled over the bullet-swept crest of the hillock and hurled them at the remaining Germans. This diversion enabled both rear sections to withdraw without further loss.

Meanwhile, the leading section… was still on the summit, so Rifleman Thaman Gurung, shouting to the section to withdraw, seized a Bren Gun and a number of magazines. He then, yet again, ran to the top of the hill and, although he well knew that his action meant almost certain death, stood up on the bulletswept summit, in full view of the enemy, and opened fire at the nearest enemy positions. It was not until he had emptied two complete magazines, and the remaining section was well on its way to safety, that Rifleman Thaman Gurung was killed…”

Extracts from London Gazette 22nd February 1945.

gurkha holders of the victoria cross 22. Major Frank Gerald Blaker, MC

23. Rifleman Ganju Lama, MM

“In Burma on 9th July, 1944, a Company of the 9th Gurkha Rifles was ordered to carry out a wide, encircling movement across unknown and precipitous country, through dense jungle, to attack a strong enemy position on the summit of an important hill overlooking Taungni.

Major Blaker carried out this movement with the utmost precision and took up a position with his Company on the extreme right flank of the enemy, in itself a feat of considerable military skill.

“…the enemy put down an intense artillery barrage lasting an hour on our positions north of the village of Ningthoukhong. This heavy artillery fire knocked out several bunkers and caused heavy casualties, and was immediately followed by a very strong enemy attack supported by five medium tanks. After fierce hand to hand fighting, the perimeter was driven in one place and enemy infantry, supported by three medium tanks, broke through, pinning our troops to the ground with intense fire.

9th Gurkha Rifles, attached from The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment), Burma, 9th July 1944

Another Company, after bitter fighting, had succeeded in taking the forward edge of the enemy position by a frontal assault, but had failed to reach the main crest of the hill in the face of fierce opposition. At this crucial moment Major Blaker’s Company came under heavy and accurate fire at close range from a medium machine gun and two light machine guns, and their advance was also completely stopped.

Major Blaker then advanced ahead of his men through very heavy fire and, in spite of being severely wounded in the arm by a grenade, he located the machine guns, which were the pivot of the enemy defence, and single handed charged the position. When hit by a burst of three rounds through the body, he continued to cheer on his men while lying on the ground.

His fearless leadership and outstanding courage so inspired the Company that they stormed the hill and captured the objective, while the enemy fled in terror into the jungle.

7th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 12th June 1944

“B” Company, 7th Gurkha Rifles, was ordered to counter-attack and restore the situation. Shortly after passing the start line it came under heavy enemy medium machine-gun and tank machine-gun fire at point blank range, which covered all lines of approach. Rifleman Ganju Lama, the No. 1 of the P.I.A.T. gun, on his own initiative, with great coolness and complete disregard for his own safety, crawled forward and engaged the tanks single handed. In spite of a broken left wrist and two other wounds, one in his right hand and one in his leg, …

Rifleman Ganju Lama succeeded in bringing his gun into action within thirty yards of the enemy tanks and knocked out first one then another, the third tank being destroyed by an anti-tank gun. …he then moved forward and engaged with grenades the tank crews… Not until he had killed or wounded them all, thus enabling his company to push forward, did he allow himself to be taken back to the Regimental Aid Post…

Major Blaker died of wounds while being evacuated from the battlefield. His heroism and self-sacrifice were beyond all praise and contributed in no small way to the defeat of the enemy and the successful outcome of the operations”

Throughout this action Rifleman Ganju Lama, although very seriously wounded, showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, outstanding devotion to duty and a determination to destroy the enemy which was an example and inspiration to all ranks…”

London Gazette 26th September 1944.

Extracts from London Gazette 7th September 1944.

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gurkha holders of the victoria cross 24. Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung

25. Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung

26. Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu

“… Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung was manning the most forward post of his platoon. At 0120 hours at least 200 enemy assaulted his Company position.

The brunt of the attack was borne by Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung’s section and by his own post in particular…

Before assaulting, the enemy hurled innumerable grenades at the position from close range. One grenade fell on the lip of Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung’s trench; he at once grabbed it and hurled it back at the enemy. Almost immediately another grenade fell directly inside his trench. Again this Rifleman snatched it up and threw it back. A third grenade fell just in front of the trench. He attempted to throw it back, but it exploded in his hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the trench.

“…On approaching the objective one of the sections was forced to ground by very heavy Light Machine Gun, grenade and mortar fire, and… accurate fire from a tree sniper… Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung, being unable to fire from the lying position, stood up fully exposed to the heavy fire and calmly killed the sniper with his rifle…The section then advanced… but was… again attacked by very heavy fire.

Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung dashed forward alone and attacked the first enemy fox-hole. Throwing two grenades, he killed the two occupants and… rushed on to the next enemy fox-hole and killed the Japanese in it with his bayonet.

“…Leading his support group in the van of the attack he could see the nearest trench and in it a sentry manning a machine gun. Determined to gain first blood he inched himself forward until… he was seen and the sentry opened fire, immediately wounding a man to his right.

Rushing forward he reached the enemy trench… and killed the sentry, thereby gaining the attacking force a foothold on the objective. …with a complete disregard for the hail of fire he got together and led his fire group to a better fire position… …he saw both men in his own group seriously wounded… and… immediately commenced… to rescue his comrades. …he crawled forward, in full view of at least two enemy machine gun posts who concentrated their fire on him… but… was driven back by the accurate and intense… fire… After a pause he started again…

8th Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 12/13th May 1945

…Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung, regardless of his wounds, fired and loaded his rifle with his left hand… Wave after wave of fanatical attacks were thrown in by the enemy and all were repulsed with heavy casualties. For four hours after being severely wounded, Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung remained alone at his post waiting with perfect calm for each attack… Of the 87 enemy dead counted in the immediate vicinity of the Company locality, 31 lay in front of this Rifleman’s section, the key to the whole position…

This Rifleman, by his magnificent example, so inspired his comrades to resist the enemy to the last, that, although surrounded and cut off for three days and two nights, they held and smashed every attack…”

Extracts from London Gazette 27th July 1945.

2nd Gurkha Rifles, Burma, 5th March 1945

Two further enemy fox-holes were still bringing fire to bear … Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung dashed forward alone and cleared these with bayonet and grenade, … subjected to almost continuous and point-blank Light Machine Gun fire from a bunker on the North tip of the objective, … Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung … doubled forward and leapt on to the roof of the bunker from where… he flung two No.77 smoke grenades into the bunker slit.

Two Japanese rushed out of the bunker… Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung promptly killed them both with his Khukri. A remaining Japanese inside was still firing the Light Machine Gun… so Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung crawled inside the bunker, killed this Japanese gunner and captured the Light Machine Gun. …Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung ordered the nearest Bren gunner and two riflemen to take up positions in the captured bunker. The enemy counter-attack followed soon after, but under Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung’s command the small party inside the bunker repelled it with heavy loss to the enemy.

Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung showed outstanding bravery and complete disregard to for his own safety. His courageous clearing of five enemy positions single-handed was in itself decisive in capturing the objective…”

Extracts from London Gazette 5th June 1945.

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10th Gurkha Rifles, Borneo, 21st November 1965

Rushing forward he hurled himself on the ground beside one of the wounded and calling for support from two light machine guns… he picked up the man and carried him to safety…

Without hesitation he immediately returned… (for the other) wounded man (and) carried him back… through the hail of enemy bullets. It had taken twenty minutes to complete this gallant action and the events leading up to it. For all but a few seconds this Non-Commissioned Officer had been moving alone in full view of the enemy and under the continuous aimed fire of their automatic weapons. …His outstanding personal bravery, selfless conduct, complete contempt of the enemy and determination to save the lives of the men of his fire group set an incomparable example and inspired all who saw him.

Finally… Lance Corporal Rambahadur was… responsible for killing four more enemy as they attempted to escape…”

Extracts from the London Gazette 22nd April 1966

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw MC

‘As I write these last words, my thoughts return to you who were my comrades, the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal.

Once more I hear your laughter with which you greeted every hardship.

Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun.

Uncomplaining you endure hunger and thirst and wounds; and at the last your unwavering lines disappear into the smoke and wrath of battle.

Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you.’

Professor Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Gurkha Rifles

Acknowledgements On behalf of the Gurkha Brigade Association with thanks to the following contributors - Mrs Elizabeth O’Neill, Assistant Brigade Secretary, Major (Retired) N D Wylie Carrick MBE, Secretary Brigade of Gurkhas, Ken Pike, Brigade of Gurkhas Media Officer, Gavin Edgerley Harris, Curator The Gurkha Museum, Captain Andre Genillard, RGR, Colonel James Robinson, Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas, and the various contributors from the regimental and corps associations. And with thanks to the estate of the late Robin Adshead ex 6th Gurkha Rifles and Colonel Bruce Niven 10th Gurkha Rifles, for the use of their photographs.

Published 2015. Researched, compiled and edited by Garfield Smith ex 7th Gurkha Rifles. Designed by Baboo Creative, www.baboocreative.com Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and unless otherwise attributed all images are copyright The Gurkha Museum.