Noticeboard
22 September 2026
BRIGADE OF GURKHAS NEPAL BATTLEFIELD TOUR OF INDIA
In May 2026 Captain Karnabahadur Thapa, late 2GR and Director of the Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara, led a Brigade of Gurkhas Nepal battlefield tour of India. Information and photos have been posted here and include photographs of Hindoo Rao’s House on the Ridge at Delhi, now a hospital.
18 September 2026
DELHI DAY 2026
On 14th September 2026 Sirmooris round the world the 169th anniversary of the storming of Delhi by the Sirmoor Battalion in 1857. An account of the action that day can be found here. To read a full account of the campaign and see the medal awarded for it, please see here.
In the light of the recent flooding disaster in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, Sirmoor Club Nepal decided not to have a lavish celebration and to contribute the money saved to help victims. However, a representative ceremony was held at the ‘Lal Gate’ at the Gurkha Memorial Museum Pokhara at which the replica of the Queen’s Truncheon was paraded.
The Sirmoor Sathies in the UK held an event in Aldershot on 13th September attended by about 250 Sirmooris. The Queen’s Truncheon was marched on parade by Truncheon Jemadar Captain Shishir Gharti Chhetri of 1RGR. Guests included, Lieutenant General Sir Peter Duffell, Brigadier Ian Rigden (President of the Sirmoor Rifles Association) and Major Lalbahadur Gurung, formerly Gurkha Major of 2GR and 1RGR.
Photos of both events are posted online here and additional photos of the Aldershot event and any other Delhi Day celebrations will be added when received.
9 September 2026
IMPACT OF NEPAL FLOODS ON GURKHA PENSIONERS
The Gurkha Welfare Trust reports that 43 pensioners and widows are in the area affected by the recent floods in Nepal. This has resulted in the postponement of medical clinics and delayed cash payment of some pensions. Teams from the Trust are in the area and working to re-establish regular contact with those for whom GWT is responsible but have been hampered by damage to infrastructure. Three widows who have been directly affected by the floods have been given assistance. Full details are on the GWT website.
28 August 2026
HIS MAJESTY THE KING VIEWING OF THE QUEEN’S TRUNCHEON
Lieutenant General Sir Peter Duffell has posted an account here of His Majesty’s viewing of the Queen’s Truncheon at Balmoral on 25th August 2026.
21 August 2026
MAJOR HITMAN GURUNG MBE
Major Hitman Gurung, who served in 2GR and latterly RGR, has been awarded the MBE for two decades of work supporting Gurkha families in Nepal, and in particular those who lost members of their family in Afghanistan. The President and Chairman of the Sirmoor Rifles Association offer him their sincere congratulations on this very well-deserved award.
28 June 2026
CAPTAIN(QGO) GANESH GURUNG
Captain Ganesh Gurung, a footballing legend of the 1st Battalion, died on 27th June 2026 in Pokhara. Click here for his obituary.
26 June 2026
COLONEL DENIS WOOD MBE
Colonel Denis Wood MBE died on 22nd June 2026. He commanded the 1st Battalion from 1968-70 and was subsequently the driving force, together with his friend Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, in setting up the Gurkha Museum in Winchester, of which he was Chairman of Trustees from 1978 to 2003 and later Vice-Patron. A kindly and generous man, he will be long remembered for his very extensive and well-researched contributions to the history of the 2nd Goorkhas and the Brigade. An obituary can be found here.
26 February 2026
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LT COL LALBAHADUR PUN
Please click here to read a report on a memorial service held for Lieutenant Colonel Lalbahadur Pun OBE MC held at the Gurkha Memorial Museum Pokhara on 23rd February 2026.
12 February 2026
COLONEL DAVID ROBINSON APPOINTED DIRECTOR (DESIGNATE) GURKHA MUSEUM
The following statement was released by the Gurkha Museum on 12th February 2026:
The Gurkha Museum is very pleased to announce the appointment of Colonel David Robinson as the new Director of the Gurkha Museum. He is currently Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas and will take up his appointment on 1 October 2026 on his retirement from the Army. He succeeds Dr Daren Bowyer the current Director who leaves in February to take up a new role. Robust interim arrangements have been put in place at the Gurkha Museum pending David’s arrival.
Welcoming the appointment, Martin Brooks, Chair of the Gurkha Museum Trustees said:
“I am thrilled that we have appointed David Robinson, following an open recruitment process. David brings thirty-five years’ deep personal experience of serving with Gurkhas, in many leadership, operational and charitable roles including strong support for the Gurkha Museum during this time, with all the cultural empathy that a lifetime of being part of the Gurkha family brings. David is the ideally suited to lead the operations of the Gurkha Museum forward securely to further success beyond our current ambitious redevelopment.
I would also like to pay tribute to Daren as he leaves us to take up the appointment as 34th Master of the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick. Daren has made a formidable and enduring contribution leading our successful redevelopment and operations in the last five years, and we wish him well in his new role.”
Colonel David Robinson commented:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the next Director of the Gurkha Museum. Having served alongside Gurkhas for many years, the values, history and extraordinary spirit of the Gurkha soldier have shaped my entire life. To now have the privilege of leading the Museum that tells their remarkable story is both humbling and inspiring.
This is an exciting moment in the Museum’s journey. The redevelopment is creating new opportunities to protect, preserve and share the heritage of the Brigade of Gurkhas for future generations. I look forward to working with our exceptional team; Trustees, supporters, veterans and serving soldiers to build on the strong foundations already in place. Together, we will ensure the Gurkha story continues to be told with authenticity, respect and pride.
I would also like to pay tribute to Daren for his outstanding leadership. His contribution to the Museum’s transformation has been immense, and I wish him every success as he takes up his new appointment.”
21 January 2026
OBITUARY – LIEUTENANT COLONEL LALBAHADUR PUN
The Times obituary for Lieutenant Colonel Lalbahadur Pun OBE MC, who died on 9 January 2026, can be read here. His Daily Telegraph obituary is here.
27 August 2025
VJ DAY COMMEMORATION IN NEPAL
Having celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory In Europe (VE 80) at British Gurkhas Nepal (BGN), Kathmandu, on Thursday, 8th May, Victory in Japan (VJ 80) was celebrated at the British Embassy Kathmandu on Saturday, 15th August 2025, with a large gathering of British and Gurkha veterans living in and around Kathmandu. A number of dignitaries from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Nepal Armed Police Force and various other government sectors were also invited. After a short speech by His Excellency Mr Rob Fenn, the British Ambassador to Nepal, a two minute silence was observed, accompanied by ‘The Last Post’ in memory of those heroes who had sacrificed their lives in the Second World War. This was followed by a Reveille call after which wreaths were laid by the Ambassador, Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Nepal Army, Colonel Dan Rex MVO, the Defence Attaché, and Major Balkrishna Rana MBE, Chairman Regimental Associations Nepal (RAN). 2GR was represented by Captain Bharat Thapa, the Chairman of the Sirmoor Club Nepal, WO1 Passang Lama and Corporal Nauraj Gurung. The programme ended at 1600 hours after refreshment.
VIPs at the ceremony: Nepal Government representatives; His Excellency the British Ambassador and his wife; Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa; Colonel Dan Rex and his wife.
The British Ambassador laying a wreath.
RAN veterans with Chairman RAN Major Balkrishna Rana MBE QOGLR (side hat) and 2 GR reps, Chairman SCN, Cpl Nauraj Gurung and WO 1 Passang Lama
RAN Chairman with QOGLR, 2 GR and 7 GR Reps
Major Balkrishna Rana with Chairman SCN and WO1 Passang Lama
15 August 2025
VJ DAY MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SIRMOOR RIFLES ASSOCIATION
On this day, 15th August in 1945, the Allies finally secured victory against Japan after over four years of hard and bitter combat in South East Asia and the Pacific. This year is the 80th anniversary of that historic moment and we should all pause to reflect on the sacrifices that were made in order for us to have a better future.
In particular, we remember our fellow Gurkha officers and soldiers who did not return and selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice. Many of those who did return bore the physical and psychological scars of war for the remainder of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their friends and families who still remember and have had to live with that loss or support those returnees in need.
On VJ Day 2025 we must honour each of those few remaining brave Gurkha veterans who are the rearguard of the greatest generation. Their courage, loyalty, and exemplary spirit is a guiding beacon for all of us and a demonstration of how to embrace life with dignity and honour. Through them we remember their comrades who have now departed on their last patrol, but whose memories and example live on in each of us.
Jai Gurkhali, Jai Sirmoor Rifles