POKHARA: The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh highlighted the strong UK-Nepal friendship through their connection with the Gurkhas – from the support given to veterans and their families in Nepal, to the 274 young Nepali men who officially became part of the British Army during the annual Attestation Parade.
At the parade, they observed a significant moment for the young Nepalis who had completed the selection process, marking the start of military careers for the 274 new recruits joining the British Army.
Following the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess met with the families of the new recruits.
This year, 274 trainee riflemen will join the British Army following a highly competitive recruitment process.
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas led the march-out of the Parade, attended by proud family members of the new recruits who hail from across Nepal.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward said: “You are now a Gurkha. One amongst only 274 new Gurkhas from over 13,000 potential recruits this year. This has been one of the greatest challenges of your lives. You deserve to feel very proud of your achievement”.
The 274 successful trainee riflemen join the British Army after a rigorous, open and transparent, year-long selection process.
They will head to the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) in Catterick in the UK, where they will undergo a nine-month training programme, according to the British Embassy in Kathmandu.
Others in attendance included British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn; Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas Major General Strickland DSO MBE, among others.
A total of 38 Coronation Medals and 2 Long Service & Good Conduct Medals were also presented to Gurkha and British Staff on parade.
The Duke and The Duchess also visited the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) “Area Welfare Centre” (AWC) Kaski and saw how the UK – through different charities – provides support in Nepal to those who have served in the British Army.
They also spent some time seeing the work of the GWT Residential Home, that cares for 20 of the most vulnerable former-Gurkhas or their widows with accommodation and support.
In addition, Their Royal Highnesses received a briefing on the work of the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association KAAA in Nepal.
As part of the visit to the Residential Home, The Duke and Duchess met 104-year-old Ash Kumari Tamang, whose late husband was a Gurkha soldier who served with the 4th Gurkha Rifles during the Second World War, and she has been living in the Residential Home since 2011.
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