Gurkhas set for farewell parade (From Wiltshire Times)

Gurkhas set for farewell parade

10:14am Wednesday 14th March 2007 in Corsham By John Ballard

NORTH Wiltshire will be saying farewell to a popular squadron of soldiers with a military parade and display.

After three years based in Colerne, 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron are moving to Stafford, and to mark the occasion a series of special events are taking place on March 29.

The festivities include a Corps of Royal Signals farewell parade and cultural show, hosted by 21 Signal Regiment in Colerne, an exhibition by the Royal Signals Motorbike Display Team and a cultural show performed by the soldiers and families of 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron.

A team of runners will also be leaving Colerne and running the distance to Stafford raising money for charities on route, and guests including high ranking military officers, the Mayor of Bath and the Mayor of Chippenham are set to attend.

An army spokesman said: "Over the past three years the Gurkha Signal Squadron has added much colour to both the regiment and the local community, and have been excellent soldiers and friends."

The Nepalese Gurkha soldiers have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and served with distinction in almost every conflict Britain has been involved in for the past two centuries.