NUNEATON: Soldiers of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals have completed their Attestation Parade at Gamecock Barracks, formally marking their entry into one of the British Army’s most selective regiments.

The ceremony, held in freezing conditions, marked the culmination of more than a year of rigorous selection and training. According to a statement from British Army communications officials, the event formally welcomed the soldiers into the Regiment and included the commissioning of four officers.

The new recruits were selected from around 14,000 candidates in Pokhara, competing for only a few hundred places in the Brigade of Gurkhas. After travelling thousands of miles to the UK, the soldiers completed basic training at Catterick Garrison before reaching the milestone parade.

Among those on parade was 21-year-old Signaller Sujan Magar, who described the ceremony as a moment of pride despite the harsh weather. He has been selected to train as a network engineer and will continue his specialist education at 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment in Blandford Camp.

Another recruit, 20-year-old Signaller Priyash Gurung from western Nepal, said the parade fulfilled a childhood ambition inspired by his grandfather’s military service. Gurung is training as an Information Services Engineer, a role focused on maintaining secure military IT and communications systems.

For Signaller Seeman Rai, 22, the event marked a moment of reflection after completing basic training. Rai will specialise as a Power Engineer, responsible for delivering energy solutions that support communications and operational systems during military deployments.

Addressing the parade, Mike Fayer, Colonel of the Regiment, said the Queen’s Gurkha Signals play a central role in modern military operations, providing essential command, control, targeting and logistical capabilities.

During the ceremony, recruits swore their oaths in both English and Nepali, reinforcing the Regiment’s heritage. One of the newly commissioned officers, Nirmal Rai, reflected on his own attestation more than two decades ago and said he now carries responsibility for mentoring the next generation of Gurkha signallers as a training officer in Blandford.