Brief History of Gurkhas in British Army -The Gurkha takes their famous name from a small principality of Gorkha who?™s King in the eighteenth century conquered most of the area now known as Nepal. The Gurkhas have been associated with the British Army since 1815 following the war between the British in India, in the shape of The Honorable East India Company and the warrior tribe from the Gorkha state of Nepal. After two long and bloody campaigns the peace was made in the spring of 1816. 

Ironically, it was the mutual respect that developed between the two sides that led to the Gurkha being permitted to join the ranks of the then East India Company.

Initially 4 Gurkha Regiments were raised in the service of John Company (Johnny Gurkha) and six more Regiment with two battalions each followed soon and saw service throughout the subcontinent of India. They took part in operations in China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Asia Minor and Cyprus.

First & Second World War - Over 200,000 Gurkhas joined the British Army, Fighting in Flanders with 6 battalions in 1914 and 1915. The Gurkhas were the first unit to break the German lines at Neuve Chappele. They also fought in the Middle East and most notably at Gallipoli. 10% of those who joined were killed.

During the Second World War a quarter of a million Gurkhas joined the British Gurkha Regiments and in addition the entire Nepali Army was placed at the disposal of the British.

With a population of 9 million this meant that virtually every Nepali of martial clan and military age was serving the British Crown. Again casualties were heavy, especially in Burma and Italy and almost 10% were killed.