Brigade of Gurkhas

Brigade of Gurkhas
Unit name	Brigade of Gurkhas
Native name	Gurkha Brigade
Caption	Gurkha soldiers at Kew Gardens remembrance event
Dates	1815–present
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	The Crown
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry, Engineering, Logistic, Signals, Support
Role	Light infantry, Special operations support, Engineering, Communications, Logistic support
Size	~3,500
Garrison	Aldershot Garrison
Nickname	Gurkhas
Motto	Kafar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Ramro (Better to die than be a coward)
Colors	Khukuri emblem
Mascot	Khukuri knife

Brigade of Gurkhas is a specialised formation within the British Army composed principally of soldiers recruited from Nepal and of Nepali heritage. Originating in the early 19th century after the Anglo-Nepalese War, the Brigade has served in imperial, world, post-colonial and modern operations, maintaining distinctive cultural, ceremonial and combat identities linked to Nepali Gorkha Kingdom heritage. It operates across infantry, engineering, logistic, and signals roles and remains noted for the iconic khukuri and enduring ties to locations such as Aldershot Garrison and Gurkha Welfare Trust.

History

The Brigade traces roots to treaties following the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and the Treaty of Sugauli which led to the first recruitment of Nepali soldiers into the British East India Company forces and later the British Indian Army. Gurkha regiments distinguished themselves during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Second Anglo-Afghan War, and the Third Anglo-Burmese War, serving alongside units from Bengal Army, Madras Army, and Punjab Frontier Force. In the First and Second World Wars, Gurkha battalions fought in theatres including the Western Front, Italian Campaign, North African Campaign, Burma Campaign, and Malayan Emergency, earning numerous gallantry awards such as the Victoria Cross. Post-1947 partition, several Gurkha regiments transferred to the Indian Army under the Tripartite Agreement, while remaining units formed the present Brigade under British command, deployed in Kashmir, Cyprus, Hong Kong during the handover, and later in Falklands War, Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Organisation and Units

The Brigade comprises several regular and specialist units aligned to British Army formations, including infantry battalions, the Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Signals, and the Queen’s Gurkha Signals. Prominent units include the Royal Gurkha Rifles battalions, 36 Engineer Regiment (Gurkha elements), 28 Engineer Regiment associations, and the Gurkha Company (Sittang) ceremonial companies attached to Household Division events. The Brigade maintains training and support links with formations such as 1st (United Kingdom) Division, 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and the Army Recruitment and Training Division. Administrative command rests with Headquarters, Brigade of Gurkhas, coordinating with Ministry of Defence branches, the Adjutant-General to the Forces, and liaison offices in Kathmandu and Singapore for community and welfare arrangements.

Recruitment and Training

Recruitment is conducted via annual selection in Nepal overseen by British Army recruiters, former soldiers, and liaison officers, held in centres across regions including Pokhara, Kathmandu, and the Terai. Candidates undergo physical, medical, and character assessments reflective of standards applied by formations like Infantry Training Centre and the Army Training Centre Pirbright basic training pipelines. Successful recruits receive initial infantry or specialist trade training at British Army establishments such as Catterick Garrison, Bassingbourn, and Merville Barracks, progressing to professional courses run by institutions including the Royal School of Military Engineering, Defence School of Communications and Information Systems, and the Defence College of Logistics and Personnel Administration. Historical selection rituals and the legendary physical tests are complemented by language support for Nepali language transition, cultural briefings, and welfare integration administered with partners like the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Veterans’ agencies.

Uniforms, Insignia and Traditions

Gurkha dress combines standard British Army uniforms with distinct insignia such as the khukuri badge, slouch or peaked caps, and coloured hackles associated with regimental history, connected to formations like the Royal Scots, Black Watch, and Coldstream Guards through ceremonial exchanges. Ceremonial items include the khukuri, kukri, and regimental colours inherited from colonial era units such as the Bengal Army regiments. Traditions integrate Nepali cultural observances, mess customs reflecting ties to British Indian Army heritage, and regimental marches performed at events like Trooping the Colour and state funerals. Battle honours on Colours reference engagements from Kandahar, Gandamak, Tirah Campaign, through modern operations including Helmand Province and Basra. Insignia and accoutrements are regulated by the Ministry of Defence dress committee and historic precedents from the Indian Army.

Operational Deployments and Roles

Gurkha units serve in roles spanning light infantry, jungle warfare, mountain operations, counter-insurgency, peacekeeping under United Nations mandates, and specialist support in engineering and communications for coalition operations. Deployments include the Malayan Emergency, Borneo Confrontation, Falklands Islands, the Iraq War (2003–2011), and sustained rotations to Afghanistan, including operations in Helmand Province and mentoring roles with International Security Assistance Force. Units contributed to multinational force structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone, and have provided ceremonial security and protective duties in Brunei and during protection assignments in Hong Kong prior to 1997. The Brigade’s adaptability has made it a recurring element in expeditionary campaigns and defence posture adjustments by the United Kingdom.

Notable Personnel and Awards

Notable Gurkha figures include recipients of the Victoria Cross and other gallantry decorations awarded for actions in conflicts from the First World War through the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Distinguished soldiers and leaders have links to regiments and institutions such as the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Gurkha Regiment (Indian Army), and veterans’ organisations including the Gurkha Veterans’ Association. Prominent awardees are often commemorated at memorials in Aldershot, the National Memorial Arboretum, and at ceremonies supported by the Gurkha Welfare Trust and diplomatic missions in Kathmandu.

Category:British Army units and formations Category:Gurkhas