GURKHAS based in Wiltshire became the first non-Foot Guards Regiment to guard the King in more than 70 years when they took up ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace.

Members of 94Sqn, 9 Regt Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment from Buckley Barracks at Hullavington had only just passed their test to become Queen’s guards when news of the Queen’ death broke on September 8. Instead they found themselves lining the streets for her funeral procession.

But now, for the first time, they will be on duty outside Buckingham and St James’s Palaces.

Their commanding officer, Maj Rory Irvine, 33, from Cricklade, is marching in the footsteps of his great grandad. He said: “It means a great deal to pass the test to carry out this duty. My father’s grandfather was in the Scots Guards during the First World War and was in the King’s Guard for George V. So, to be able to come here as the Captain of the new King’s Guard for King Charles III is a huge honour.”

He added: “We were on street lining duty for the funeral procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. We covered the area from MOD Main Building on Whitehall to the bottom of Horseguards Parade. To be involved in the state funeral of Her Majesty The Queen was a huge honour, and the Squadron felt hugely privileged to have a part to play”.

When Gurkhas join the Army they are taught a swift moving drill which is performed at 140 paces per minute. Ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace are carried out in what is known as ‘Heavy Drill’ at a customary 120 paces per minute. Another change from the norm is the khukuri inspection, in which the soldiers ground arms, and withdraw their khukuri for inspection. This will be conducted in every inspection as part of the Changing the Guard ceremony.

“The hardest thing for the squadron to learn during their preparations was the move we have to make during the ceremony from Light Drill to Heavy Drill” said Rory. “As a completely different form of drill, with different movements and different words of command, it took quite a lot of preparation to get to the point where we were comfortable with both. All the more difficult because we switch between the two in the middle of the parade. We needed to be so familiar with both, so that we could flick a switch between the two in our minds. It took a lot of hard work, but we got there!”

Finding themselves representing their cap badge, the Army and Nepal, in front of the most iconic buildings in Britain, while serving a new King has had a huge impact on the soldiers.

Pte Tukraj Gurung, said since he was a boy he had dreamed of one day guarding the Sovereign.

“I thought at that time that if I get chance to get into the British Army I will definitely volunteer to do this. I am super excited. From this experience, I will be going back home to Chippenham with lots of unerasable memories and as a proud soldier,” he said.

Sgt Raj Gurung’s father served with 6 Royal Gurkha and was a member of the Queen’s Guard many years ago, so Raj was first to volunteer for the same duty when the opportunity arose. He said: “My family are extremely proud, especially my father who did the public duty previously during his service. My father, along with my wife, Kusum Thapa Gurung, will be coming to see me on duty at the Palace…it’s a chance of a lifetime”.

The public can see them on duty at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, The Tower of London and at Windsor Castle during the next two months, accompanied by British Army Band Tidworth who will provide musical support to the Gurkhas on every ceremonial Guard change.

Their final Guard duty will be on 14th November 2022.