Gurkhas based in the British Forces Brunei (BFB) celebrated 30 years since the formation of The Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR), with a parade, medal ceremony, displays and entertainment for soldiers and their families. The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkhas Rifles (1 RGR), who were joined by the Garrison Support Troop of BFB, marked the day with a parade awarding soldiers with the King’s Coronation medal, a tree planting, sports competitions, cultural food, music, and festivities, as well as a tribute to fallen soldiers and to honour the legacy of the regiment.
“Much has happened in that 30 years, and 1 RGR has been at the heart of it, from the deployment to Kosovo in 1999, Sierra Leone in 2002, many tours in Afghanistan, and of course a huge number of other tasks in support of the Army” said Major General G M Strickland DSO MBE, Colonel RGR. “We have lost friends and brothers along the way and I ask you to reflect on their sacrifice, and always work to make sure that we live up to what they gave their lives for.”
Formed in 1994, The RGR carried forward the battle honours and traditions of its 4 antecedent regiments; the 2nd King Edward VII’s Own GR, 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own GR, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own GR and 10th Princess Mary’s Own GR, and over 200 years of regimental lineage, history, and service to The Crown. The Regiment now consists of 2 battalions which rotate between the UK and Brunei. The First Battalion, recently validated as part of the Indo-Asia Pacific Task Force, maintaining an operationally ready presence in Southeast Asia; a task the Army has fulfilled since the 1960s. Throughout the past 3 decades, the Regiment has seen action in Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan.
The RGR has a strong sporting culture, and the 30th birthday included the final of the ‘Tule Ale Cup’, a football tournament between the different ranks within the battalion. Other notable highlights were the Tug of War and Kukri Display, both highlighting the strength and ferocity from which the Gurkhas, “the bravest of the brave” got their reputation. As with any good birthday party, there was also plenty of cake.
“Wishing all serving and retired members of the Royal Gurkha Rifles and their families a very Happy 30th RGR Birthday!” says Major Jiwan Pun, 1 RGR’s Gurkha Major. “We can proudly say that the soldiers of 1 RGR have set the standards by which others are judged in many areas across the British Army.”
RGR 30 was an event conducted with great pride and admiration for the regiment, fostering strong competition, strengthening bonds of trust and shared identity, and appreciating the Kaida that has provided the foundations for the regiment for the last 30 years, as it looks forward to the future whilst preserving the legacy of its forebears. The words of the former Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, should always be remembered: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha”.
