Dreams Turn Into Reality As Gurkha Soldiers Complete Attestation Parade

Kathmandu, Feb 17: Soldiers of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals have successfully completed their Attestation parade, marking the culmination of one of the most demanding military selection and training processes in the world.

The ceremony, held at Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton, on February 16 represented a significant milestone in the soldiers’ journey and formally welcomed them into their Regiment, according to a press release issued by the British Army Communications, Army Press Office East Anglia and Midlands in the UK.

The soldiers’ journey began more than a year ago in Pokhara, Nepal, where they were selected from over approximately 14 thousand young men competing for only a few hundred places in the Brigade of Gurkhas.

After travelling thousands of miles and overcoming extraordinary competition, they earned their place in the Brigade of Gurkhas.

As the February weather cut through the parade ground, the chill could not dampen the pride of 21-yearold Signaller Sujan Magar.

"It was freezing but I was so proud to be there," he said.

Sujan's journey from Eastern Nepal to the British Army has already taken him through the rigours of basic training at Catterick, North Yorkshire. Now he is getting his first taste of the trade that will define his military career and it's exactly what he hoped for.

"I got my first choice - network engineer and I'm really pleased about that," said Sujan.

His next stop is trade training at 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment, Blandford, where he will develop the specialist skills to build and maintain the communication networks that keep military operations running.

For Signaller Priyash Gurung standing on the parade ground was the realisation of a dream that began thousands of miles away in Western Nepal.

"It was my childhood dream to join the British Army," said the 20-year-old. "My grandfather served in the Indian Army, and he inspired me. Being on parade was such a proud moment."

Priyash is training to become an Information Services Engineer — a highly-skilled specialist responsible for configuring, deploying and maintaining secure IT and communication systems. It's a role that will see him at the heart of military operations, keeping vital networks running.

Life in the Army has meant sacrifice. "I do miss my parents," he admits. "But as a soldier, it's my responsibility to fulfil my duties here, and I enjoy it."

For Signaller Seeman Rai, the parade wasn't just a ceremony — it was a moment to take stock of how far he had come.

"It was a day full of pride," says the 22-year-old. "I was standing tall, reflecting on everything I'd done and everything I'd achieved."

Seeman is set to train as a Power Engineer, a role that will see him responsible for keeping military operations running — quite literally. For without power, nothing works meaning no communications, no systems, and no mission.

During the next phase of his training in Blandford, Dorset, he will learn the specialist skills to deliver energy solutions in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.

Addressing the soldiers on parade, Brigadier Mike Fayer, the Colonel of the Regiment, Queen's Gurkha Signals, said: “Today is a proud day but also an important one as we recognise new talent joining our ranks and our Officers’ Corps.

The Queen’s Gurkha Signals, alongside our Royal Signals brothers and sisters, are central to winning in an ever-dangerous world. We are essential to enabling command and control, essential to our targeting capabilities and essential to our logistical systems. We deliver the competitive edge that enables us to win.”

During the ceremony, the recruits pledged their oaths in both English and Nepali.

The event also included the commissioning of four officers into the Regiment.

Captain Nirmal Rai was one of the commissioning officers. He vividly remembers his own attestation on a cold January morning 22 years ago.

"I'm a third-generation Gurkha soldier. When I first enlisted into the Brigade of Gurkhas on 18th December 2003, my father told me: 'You have to be loyal and work hard in everything you do. Think about the reputation of the Brigade and the Regiment, and you will do well in your career.'"

Since then, Captain Rai has completed numerous overseas deployments, exercises, and training courses. In 2024, he led the Queen's Gurkha Signals Contingent on public duties – one of the highlights of his career.

Now, as Training Officer at 4 Squadron, 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment, in Blandford, he will take the 40 new recruits under his guardianship. He said: "It's my responsibility to ensure they uphold the professionalism and reputation of the Regiment – the same values my father impressed upon me all those years ago.”