The Colonel Commandant’s Award: A New Honour for the Brigade of Gurkhas

A Distinction of Excellence
The Colonel Commandant’s Award is conferred at the discretion of the Colonel Commandant upon serving or retired British Gurkhas who have either:

• Enhanced the reputation of the Brigade of Gurkhas through remarkable individual achievement, or
• Demonstrated sustained excellence over the course of their careers.

The award consists of a medal, designed by Major General Gerald Strickland DSO MBE, featuring a ribbon in the Brigade’s colours. The medal face is adorned with the Brigade cap badge, alongside an image of British Gurkhas wielding their khukuri — a powerful representation of their legacy and service.

The Colonel Commandant’s Medal may be worn on the right chest when in non-uniform orders of dress, signifying the recipient’s distinguished contribution to the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Honouring the First Recipients

The inaugural recipients of the Colonel Commandant’s Award were:

• Honorary Major Hitman Gurung (2nd Gurkha Rifles)
• Lieutenant (Queen’s Gurkha Officer) Purnabahadur Gurung (6th Gurkha Rifles)

Both later served with The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and have been recognised not only for their exceptional military careers but also for their dedicated service to the Gurkha Welfare Trust and their Regimental Associations in Nepal.

The awards were presented by the Colonel Commandant in a ceremony attended by their families, the Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas, and members of their antecedent Regimental Associations, marking a historic moment for the Brigade.

Nominations for the Colonel Commandant’s Award

Nominations for future recipients should be submitted to the Brigade of Gurkhas Adjutant and Aide de Camp to the Colonel Commandant, Captain Oliver Masterson. This award stands as a lasting tribute to the dedication, courage, and service of the Gurkhas, ensuring their extraordinary contributions are recognised for generations to come.