Nepal Sirmooree 2025

12 The Regiment was raised in 1815 at the end of the NepaleseWar, by Lieutenant (afterwards Brigadier-General) Frederick Young. It was formed at Nahan in Sirmoor State in India, from which it took its original name of ‘The Sirmoor Battalion’, and recruited from the disbanded soldiers of the Nepalese Army. Lieutenant Young, a remarkable soldier, commanded the Sirmoor Battalion for twenty-eight years, during which time he rose in rank from Lieutenant to Colonel. He obtained for the Regiment a cantonment in Dehra Dun in the United Provinces of India and this remained the Regiment’s home until it was transferred to the British Army on the 1st January 1948. From 1815 onwards the Regiment fought in many parts of the world as the Battle Honours testify, however, the Regiment particularly distinguished itself during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 when, with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (60th Rifles) and the Queen’s Own Corps of Guides, it held the key position on Delhi Ridge throughout three months of bitter fighting. At this time the 2nd Goorkhas were supported by Tombs’ Troop Royal Artillery which also served alongside 2 GR in Hong Kong in the early 1970s as a Battery of 49th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. For the Regiment’s services at Delhi it was granted a third honorary colour by Queen Victoria, the Queen’s Truncheon, its title was changed to the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment and it was permitted to wear a uniform similar to that of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. As a Rifle Regiment it was no longer appropriate for the Regiment to carry colours, so in 1863 they were laid up but the third colour, The Queen’s Truncheon, was retained. To this day it is carried by our successor Regiment, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and accorded the honours due to a Queen’s Colour. In 1876 the Regiment was given the title of “The Prince of Wales’ Own” and this was commemorated by the Cap Badge depicting the three feathers of the badge of The Prince of Wales that was worn as a cap badge by all soldiers in the 2nd Goorkhas until 1994. The 2nd Battalion was raised at Dehra Dun in 1886. In 1902, when the Prince of Wales, the then Colonel in Chief, ascended the throne the Regimental title was changed to “King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles). During the Great War a 3rd Battalion was raised and the three battalions saw active service in France, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia and on the North West Frontier of India. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded after the Great War. Between the wars both Battalions were engaged in many campaigns and operations in Northern India. During the Second World War the 3rd Battalion was re-raised and the 4th and 5th Battalions were formed. The 1st Battalion fought in North Africa, Italy and Greece with the famous 4th Indian Division. The 2nd Battalion fought throughout the short but hard Malayan Campaign and was made prisoner at the fall of Singapore. The 3rd Battalion served as Chindits in General Wingate’s Campaign in Burma and afterwards in the Arakan. The 4th Battalion fought on the North West Frontier and in Burma and French Indo-China. The 5th Battalion remained throughout on the North West Frontier. During these war years, the 2nd Goorkhas won two Victoria Crosses besides many other bravery decorations in recognition of their services. In World War II the 2 nd KING EDWARD VII’S OWN GOORKHAS (THE SIRMOOR RIFLES) A Brief History