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4 GORKHA RIFLES
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| 4 Gorkha Rifles Crest |
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4 Gorkha Rifles
Formerly known as the 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles, the regiment was originally a Gurkha regiment of the British Indian Army. In 1857, it was decided to augment the existing Gurkha regiments by raising another. Initially, this was known as the Extra Goorkha Regiment, before being numbered as the 19th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. In 1861 it was finally ranked as the 4th Goorkha Regiment.
The regiment's first major action was during the Second Afghan War, also seeing service on the North-West Frontier and during the Buxer Rebellion in 1900. During the First World War, the 1st Battalion served in France, participating in the battles of Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle and Ypres, while the 2nd Battalion saw service in Mesopotamia. In 1924, the regiment became the 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles, with the Prince of Wales becoming Colonel-in-Chief.
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(Insignias of 4 Gorkha Rifles)
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The regiment saw service in most theatres during the Second World War, including North Africa, Italy and the Far East. The 1st Battalion served throughout the Burma Campaign. It suffered nearly 100% casualties (over 100% casualties among officers) during the Battle of Imphal. The 2nd Battalion saw service in Iraq and Syria. The 3rd Battalion was finally raised in 1940. It saw service with the Chindits in Burma. The 4th Battalion was raised in 1941. It also fought in Burma, distinguishing itself by storming Mandalay Hill in 1945. Major Jackson in his book on the British Indian Army has called Fourth Gorkhas as the most traveled in the Indian Army.
War Cry: Ayo Gorkhali (The Gorkhas Are Here).
The Battalions:
- 1/4 Gorkha Rifles
- 2/4 Gorkha Rifles
- 3/4 Gorkha Rifles
- 4/4 Gorkha Rifles
- 5/4 Gorkha Rifles
- 6/4 Gorkha Rifles
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