Jubilee parade

Today soldiers of 30th Signals Regiment and the well known and loved Gurkha regiment from the local barracks marched through town in celebration of the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

The Gurkhas have been a part of life in the area for a while now. A most feared group of soldiers whose moto is "Better to die than be a coward" reflects their military philosophy. They are no longer expected to draw blood if they remove their Khukris knife from it's sheath, even if just cleaning it. 

They were awarded the freedom of the borough in 2002 and it was that privilege they used today to parade. It was only some years later that the UK government relented their position of denying these fearsome but dedicated soldiers of the British Army the rights to stay in the UK. This was after much work and lobbying by the Joanna Lumley. 
In 2019 the MoD decided they were to be moved from Nuneaton, but, again, after much lobbying, they decided just a few weeks ago to leave them based here. That is great news because several generations of soldiers and the families from Nepal have settled in the area. 

One of the ex-soldier and elder is shown here in the extras. Another well known ex-Gurkha is Om Gurung MBE is a one of the notable residents who owns and runs a local restaurant. The Crossed Khukris is only place where I have been served food by a titled person. 

The guys at the front here are the local ATC drum band.