GURKHA recruits have marked the end of their phase one training at Catterick Garrison’s Infantry Training Centre with a passing-out parade.

The future soldiers of the British Army are trained at the Northern Unit, which runs four versions of the combat infantryman’s course – Line Infantry, Foot Guards, Paras and Gurkhas.

The day’s ceremony also coincided with The Republic of Nepal Day, which is celebrated annually in both the capital city of Kathmandu and around the world, commemorating the country becoming a federal democratic republic on May 28, 2008. Events conclude with the Muster Parade, where the top recruit of the day is selected and all the successful soldiers are presented with their Kukri or Gurkha knife as a prize for their hard work and achievements.

An Army spokesman said: “A great day of celebration and achievement by all recruits for passing phase one of their training at the UK’s hub of infanteers.”

Last month Gurkha soldiers undertook a rescue mission retrieving 109 British and 28 foreign travellers stranded in remote parts of Nepal. Their far-flung locations, and the strict lockdown measures, meant the travellers were unable to reach the three charter flights sent to repatriate British nationals in April. Their mission took them to 19 locations spread over 4000 miles.

As well as bringing home British travellers, 70 soldiers and their dependants from different Regiments of the British Army, who were in Nepal on leave and holiday, returned to the UK to join the fight against coronavirus.