A huge honour: Feeling proud and making history with the King's Gurkha Artillery

They're the bravest of the brave – Gurkhas have fought alongside the British for more than 200 years.

First came the Rifles, then the Engineers and the Signals. Then Logistics, the Band and Personnel Support followed on.

And now a brand new cap badge has been born – the King's Gurkha Artillery, or the KGA.

• Newest Gurkha recruits receive their berets - including those for new artillery regiment
• First members of The King's Gurkha Artillery get hands-on with the L118 Light Gun
• Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer fired abroad on operations for first time

This is a really big day for the Gurkhas. The King's Gurkha Artillery is the very first regiment to be named after King Charles III. 

It's the seventh Gurkha badge, and it's the first new Gurkha unit in more than a decade.

The first 80 members come from across existing Gurkha units but, in the coming weeks and months, they will be transformed into gunners.

They beat competition from around 300 other applicants to become part of history.

The new cap badge features the standard Royal Artillery badge of the Tudor crown, cannon, rammer and motto – Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt – Everywhere Where Right and Glory Lead.

But this time, the badge has been superimposed by crossed kukris.

The Royal Artillery is embracing the new Nepalese element.

The old pass office at Larkhill has been repurposed as the temple, and staff there are learning fast.

Major Alex O'Neill, Battery Commander 34 Battery King's Gurkha Artillery, said: "It's quite hard to put into words, if I'm perfectly honest. It's quite a monumental occasion.

"Over 300 years of Royal Artillery history and over 220 years of Brigade of Gurkhas history. It's difficult to understand quite how important it is. But it's a huge honour."

Sergeant Tejendra Pun explained why he had applied to join the new unit. "I want to be a part of history-making. That's why I applied to the KGA."

When asked what he was looking forward to, he replied: "First thing is the training – definitely new skills. [I'm] excited to learn these guns [the 105mm L118 Light Gun], then definitely operations in the future."

Warrant Officer Class 2 Pradeep Rai added: "I would say it's a bit emotional as well, because I'm just leaving… 1RGR forever.

"So, it's like mixed emotions. A bit of a sad part, but looking forward, it's really proud and making history and a milestone as well."

Eventually, three more batteries will be formed and the full regiment with be 400-strong.