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.
Soldiers of the Queens Gurkha's Signals lined up on the parade square for the Attestation Parade.
The ceremony, held at Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton, represented a significant milestone in the soldiers’ journey and formally welcomed them into their Regiment.
The soldiers' journey began more than a year ago in Pokhara, Nepal, where they were selected from approximately 14,000 young men competing for only a few hundred places in the Brigade of Gurkhas.
"Today is a proud day but also an important one as we recognise new talent joining our ranks and our Officers’ Corps"
Pride on parade
Signaller Sujan Magar after the Attestation Parade at Gamecock Barracks.
As the February weather cut through the parade ground, the chill could not dampen the pride of 21-year-old Signaller Sujan Magar. "It was freezing but I was so proud to be there," he said.
Sujan's journey from Eastern Nepal has already taken him through basic training at Catterick, North Yorkshire. Now he is getting his first taste of the trade that will define his military career.
"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.
"My grandfather served in the Indian Army, and he inspired me. Being on parade was such a proud moment,"
A childhood dream realised
Soldiers of the Queens Gurkha's Signals lined up on the parade square for the Attestation Parade.
For Signaller Priyash Gurung, standing on the parade ground was the realisation of a childhood dream.
"My grandfather served in the Indian Army, and he inspired me. Being on parade was such a proud moment," said the 20-year-old from Western Nepal.
Priyash is training to become an Information Services Engineer — a specialist responsible for configuring, deploying and maintaining secure IT and communication systems.
Standing tall
Soldiers of the Queens Gurkha's Signals during the Attestation Parade.
For Signaller Seeman Rai, the parade was a moment to reflect on 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 achieved."
Seeman is set to train as a Power Engineer, responsible for keeping military operations running. Without power, nothing works — no communications, no systems, no mission.
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.”
Passing on the legacy
Captain Normal Rai photographed at the Attestation Parade.
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 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 and training courses. In 2024, he led the Queen's Gurkha Signals Contingent on public duties.
Now, as Training Officer at 4 Squadron, 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment, he will take the 40 new recruits under his guardianship. "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."
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