Nepalese officers pay tribute at Gurkha ceremony

Nepalese officers from Kent Police were among those who attended a ceremony to celebrate over 200 years of service to the British Army by Gurkha soldiers.

The event on Sunday 6 October 2024 was held at the Gurkha Memorial in Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

Connections

Superintendent Nick Sparkes of Kent Police is a trustee of the Gurkha Memorial Fund, which commissioned the memorial and also raises money for local families as well as community projects in Nepal.

He said:

‘Folkestone has strong connections to the Royal Gurkha Rifles and generations of military families are established in the community as a result, as well as in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone and Medway. ‘Kent Police is committed to reflecting the communities it serves, and we currently have a number of officers of Nepalese heritage who are progressing and talking positively about future roles and promotion within the force, which is very encouraging. ‘Events such as the Gurkha memorial ceremony help celebrate our growing connections and we were very pleased to have been invited to participate.’