With their reputation preceding them, the Gurkhas adapted to mechanised warfare while remaining the feared warriors of a bygone era
Even amid the Anglo -Nepalese War (1814-16), the British Empire had begun the process of integrating Gurkhas into its armed forces. This continued throughout the 19th century, with the Nepalese soldiers tasked with protecting India’s Nor thwest Frontier and beyond. From fighting in the Anglo -Sikh Wars (1845-46; 1848-49) to helping quell the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Gurkhas had more than proven their worth as capable, adaptable and dependable warriors. Such qualities were vital with the consistently changing nature of warfare, especially so when the First World War broke out in the summer of 1914.
In this conflict the men faced their greatest challenge yet. At that time, there were ten Gurkha Regiments, each comprised of two battalions. A proportion shipped out to Europe as part of the Indian Corps, eventually deployed to reinforce the British Expeditionar y Force (BEF) south of Ypres. 2/8th Gurkhas became the first unit to be sent to the front line, on 29 October 1914, a harrowing experience that saw heavy casualties inflicted upon them within just 24 hours of their arrival. It was just the beginning of their nearly four-year ordeal.
Gurkha battalions settled into life in and out of the trenches, the monotony occasionally shattered by Allied or German attempts to break the deadlock. During the March 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle, for example, 2/3rd Gurkhas served in the vanguard of the assault. Successfully smashing through the German defences, they were followed by 2/2nd and 1/9th Gurkhas pushing forward just short of Aubers Ridge but failing to take the second objective.
At the Battle of Loos from 25 September 1915, Nepalese troops again fought with incredible bravery, notably that of 2/3rd Gurkha Rifleman Kulbir Thapa who, despite his severe wounds, saved the lives of one British and two fellow Gurkha soldiers. He was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross, the first Nepalese-born Gurkha – as opposed to white Gurkha officer – to receive the prestigious medal.
While the Indian Corps withdrew from the Western Front in the late autumn of 1915, 29th Indian Infantr y Brigade – including 1/5th, 1/6th and 2/10th Gurkhas – had been par ticipating in the infamous Gallipoli Campaign. Nepalese involvement had come at the personal request of Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) commander General Sir Ian Hamilton. A veteran of the Nor thwest Frontier, he had hoped that the Gurkhas’ combat adeptness in hilly and mountainous terrain could help the Allies secure do
