My name is Gopal Gurung, and I am an ex-Gurkha Soldier with over 15  years of military experience in the Brigade of Gurkhas. The Brigade of Gurkhas is a unit of the British Army that is composed of soldiers recruited from Nepal. Its history dates back to 1815 when the British East India Company first recruited Gurkhas to serve in its military forces. Since then, Gurkhas have served in various conflicts and campaigns around the world, including both World Wars, the Falklands War, and the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

As the child of a Gurkha British Army member, I was inspired to follow in my father's footsteps and pursue a career in the military. My father, Nar Prasad Gurung, was a retired Gurkha soldier who proudly served in the British Army, specifically within the Brigade of Gurkhas, for 16 years. He was enlisted in the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles (6 GR) on the 16th of October 1963. After completing nine months of recruit training in Malaysia, he was immediately deployed to the war in Borneo, which lasted from 1963 until 1966. Throughout his military career, he maintained an exemplary service record and retired with the rank of Corporal in 1979. While in army, my father served in various locations such as India, Malaysia, Borneo, Oslo, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

I joined the British Army at the age of 18 on the 23rd October 1979 and enjoyed a successful career with several promotions, ultimately attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. Between 1979 and 1993, I had the honour of serving as a Gurkha soldier within the Brigade of Gurkhas, specifically in the 1st Battalion The 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles). I saw service in several countries, including Hong Kong, Brunei, Belize, South Korea, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. One of the most memorable experiences of my career in the army was carrying out public duties for Her Majesty's Queen's Guard at both St James’ Palace and Buckingham Palace. During my time stationed in Hong Kong, I performed the crucial duty of apprehending illegal immigrants and preventing smuggling, all while conducting numerous tours of duty along the Sino-Hong Kong border. While serving in South Korea, I acquired the skill of taekwondo, and achieved a black belt in this martial art. In 1982, our regiment prepared for combat with the Argentine armed forces during the Falklands War.

Following my retirement from the military, I continued to serve in security services. Under employment with Jardine Securicor Gurkha Services Limited, I was stationed at the Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong, and received commendation for delivering outstanding assistance to bank customers outside of normal business hours. In Hong Kong, I twice participated in the 100km Trailwalker endurance event, receiving a medal for completing the course in 12 hours 49 minutes.

I then began a tenure with Global Risk Strategies for the United States Department of Defense in Iraq. I served as a vehicle commander, responsible for conducting escort missions for VIP vehicles, oil tankers, ammunitions, rations, and troops. I became a Platoon Sergeant, ultimately commanding a team of 36  individuals during the conflict. While patrolling the streets of Mosul, I witnessed a sniper shoot and kill our platoon commander. After nearly two hours of intense battle, we successfully killed the sniper and his comrades, and captured their base in a hotel. Another time, our vehicle drove over and detonated an improvised explosive device, leading to multiple deaths and causing serious injuries to three other Gurkhas: my left leg was seriously injured in this incident.

In 2010, I made the life-changing decision to move to the UK with my wife, son, and daughter, and we have never looked back. We have been welcomed with open arms into this amazing community and have been fortunate enough to build a fulfilling and rewarding life here. As I reflect on our journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities that this great nation has provided us. I am proud to call the UK my adopted country. Since 2019, I have been employed as a Security Officer with Bidvest Noonan, providing security services at St Paul's Cathedral. I find it highly rewarding to perform my responsibility of ensuring that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.