Gurkha Memorial, War memorial in Westminster, United Kingdom
The Gurkha Memorial is a bronze statue on Horse Guards Avenue in Westminster showing a soldier in First World War uniform standing at ease. The figure holds a rifle with bayonet and gazes across the street toward the government buildings nearby.
Queen Elizabeth II unveiled this memorial on December 3, 1997, marking the transfer of the Gurkha headquarters from Hong Kong to London. This event marked a major shift in where these soldiers based themselves after decades in Asia.
The inscription comes from Professor Sir Ralph Turner and honors the Gurkhas as loyal companions to Britain over many decades. These words reflect the deep bond that developed between the Nepalese soldiers and the nation.
The memorial stands on Horse Guards Avenue opposite the Ministry of Defence building and is easy to spot from the street. The location sits in a busy area with good public access and sidewalks to explore the surroundings.
Sculptor Philip Jackson based the statue on Captain Khemkumar Limbu, a living Gurkha officer, as his model. This approach allowed the artist to create a more realistic and larger representation than many earlier monuments honoring these soldiers.
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