The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers

Origins

Between 1948 and 1950, two Royal Engineers training squadrons were raised in Malaya (now Malaysia) from Gurkha infantrymen. After moving to Hong Kong, they formed part of 50 Field Engineer Regiment in 1951.

This new Royal Engineers regiment was sent to support operations during the Malayan Emergency (1948-60). It was based at Sungei Besi near Kuala Lumpur from 1955 to 1961.

During the 1960s, Gurkha squadrons of the regiment also served during the Indonesian Confrontation (1963-66).

​Gurkha identity

In 1955, 50 Field Engineer Regiment was renamed the Gurkha Engineers and given its own cap badge and insignia. It also became part of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

In 1977, the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, it was redesignated as the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers.

Recent years

Since 1993, its two squadrons have been under the command of 36 Engineer Regiment, but they retain their Queen’s Gurkha Engineers identity. They have played a key role in operations and tasks around the world, including the recent conflicts in Afghanistan (2001-14) and Iraq (2003-09).

Gurkha sappers also assisted in the relief effort after the devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015. In 2018, they deployed to South Sudan on peacekeeping operations.