Welcome to the website of 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)  

The 2nd Goorkhas was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army before being transferred to the British Army on India’s independence in 1947.  At that time the 4th Battalion joined the Indian Army as the 5th Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles), where it exists to this day.

As part of the British Army, the Regiment served in Malaya, Hong Kong, the UK, Brunei and many other locations worldwide until 1994 when it was amalgamated with the other three British Army Gurkha infantry Regiments to form the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

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On this day, 22nd June, in....

1943 The 1st Battalion paraded in Tripoli for a surprise visit by His Majesty King George VI, who bestowed on Subedar Lalbahadur Thapa the Victoria Cross he had won in the battle of Wadi Akarit.

Subedar Lalbahadur Thapa receiving his Victoria Cross from King George VI in Tripoli.  Behind the King is Lieutenant Colonel Showers, the Commandant of the 1st Battalion.

       

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