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The regiment was initially raised in 1817 as the '''Cuttack Legion''' as part of the army of the East India Company.<ref name=6thgrorg>{{cite web|title=History of the 6th Gurkhas |url=http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_history.shtml |publisher=6th Gurkhas.org |access-date=2009-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829045842/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_history.shtml |archive-date=2008-08-29 }}</ref> This was a unit of Indian natives from the Cuttack City of [[Odisha]] area and initially it was used to maintain order in the region, before moving to Northern [[Bengal]] in 1823 when it became known as the '''Rungpoor Light Infantry'''. | The regiment was initially raised in 1817 as the '''Cuttack Legion''' as part of the army of the East India Company.<ref name=6thgrorg>{{cite web|title=History of the 6th Gurkhas |url=http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_history.shtml |publisher=6th Gurkhas.org |access-date=2009-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829045842/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_history.shtml |archive-date=2008-08-29 }}</ref> This was a unit of Indian natives from the Cuttack City of [[Odisha]] area and initially it was used to maintain order in the region, before moving to Northern [[Bengal]] in 1823 when it became known as the '''Rungpoor Light Infantry'''. | ||
During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] the regiment remained "loyal" to the British and two of its members were awarded with [[Indian Order of Merit]],<ref name=6thgrorg/> which was the highest award that a Gurkha could receive until 1911 when Gurkhas became eligible for the Victoria Cross.<ref>Parker 2005, pp. 61–62.</ref> | During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] the regiment remained "loyal" to the British and two of its members were awarded with the [[Indian Order of Merit]],<ref name=6thgrorg/> which was the highest award that a Gurkha could receive until 1911 when Gurkhas became eligible for the Victoria Cross.<ref>Parker 2005, pp. 61–62.</ref> | ||
Following this, the regiment was transferred to the newly formed [[British Indian Army]] and as time passed, the regiment began recruiting [[Nepal]]ese [[Gurkhas]] into its ranks—initially only two [[company (military unit)|companies]] of Gurkhas were formed, but, over time, more and more were recruited until it eventually became a pure Gurkha regiment, being numbered as the '''42nd Regiment of Goorkha Light Infantry''' in 1886.<ref name=lineage>{{cite web|url=http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_titles.shtml|title=6th Gurkha's Regimental Titles|publisher=6th Gurkhas.org|access-date=2009-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724211116/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_titles.shtml|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the period before the [[First World War]], the regiment was primarily involved in patrolling the north-east border of [[India]], indeed it remained in eastern India for 77 years, and as such the regiment gained only a single [[battle honour]] up to 1914.<ref name=6thgrorg/> | Following this, the regiment was transferred to the newly formed [[British Indian Army]] and as time passed, the regiment began recruiting [[Nepal]]ese [[Gurkhas]] into its ranks—initially only two [[company (military unit)|companies]] of Gurkhas were formed, but, over time, more and more were recruited until it eventually became a pure Gurkha regiment, being numbered as the '''42nd Regiment of Goorkha Light Infantry''' in 1886.<ref name=lineage>{{cite web|url=http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_titles.shtml|title=6th Gurkha's Regimental Titles|publisher=6th Gurkhas.org|access-date=2009-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724211116/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/theregiment_titles.shtml|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the period before the [[First World War]], the regiment was primarily involved in patrolling the north-east border of [[India]], indeed it remained in eastern India for 77 years, and as such the regiment gained only a single [[battle honour]] up to 1914.<ref name=6thgrorg/> | ||
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===Post 1947=== | ===Post 1947=== | ||
In 1946 the regiment was reduced to three battalions, following the disbandment of the 4th Battalion. A year later, India gained its independence and under the 1947 [[Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement|Tri Partite Agreement]] four regiments of the Brigade of Gurkhas were allocated to the [[British Army]], while the other six were transferred to the newly formed independent [[Indian Army]].<ref>Parker 2005, p. 248.</ref> The 6th Gurkhas were one of the regiments that were transferred to the British Army, although the 3rd Battalion was transferred to the [[5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)]], which was one of the battalions that had been allocated to the Indian Army, and the regiment was thus reduced to two battalions once more.{{Citation needed|date=February | In 1946 the regiment was reduced to three battalions, following the disbandment of the 4th Battalion. A year later, India gained its independence and under the 1947 [[Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement|Tri Partite Agreement]] four regiments of the Brigade of Gurkhas were allocated to the [[British Army]], while the other six were transferred to the newly formed independent [[Indian Army]].<ref>Parker 2005, p. 248.</ref> The 6th Gurkhas were one of the regiments that were transferred to the British Army, although the 3rd Battalion was transferred to the [[5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)]], which was one of the battalions that had been allocated to the Indian Army, and the regiment was thus reduced to two battalions once more.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} In 1959, the regiment was renamed as the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles in honour of [[Elizabeth II]].<ref name=6thgrorg/> | ||
As with other Gurkha regiments, the 6th Gurkhas primarily saw service in the Far East until the British withdrawal from East of Suez. Both battalions participated in the [[Malayan Emergency]].<ref name=6thgrorg/> Later, between 1962 and 1964, the 1st Battalion served in the United Kingdom. Between 1963 and 1966, both the 1st and 2nd Battalions saw service in Borneo during [[Indonesian Confrontation|Confrontation]].<ref name=6thgrorg/> | As with other Gurkha regiments, the 6th Gurkhas primarily saw service in the Far East until the British withdrawal from East of Suez. Both battalions participated in the [[Malayan Emergency]].<ref name=6thgrorg/> Later, between 1962 and 1964, the 1st Battalion served in the United Kingdom. Between 1963 and 1966, both the 1st and 2nd Battalions saw service in Borneo during [[Indonesian Confrontation|Confrontation]].<ref name=6thgrorg/> | ||
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==Regimental Colonels== | ==Regimental Colonels== | ||
Colonels of the Regiment were:<ref> {{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/06GR.htm |title=6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=9 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101204744/http://regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/06GR.htm |archive-date=1 January | Colonels of the Regiment were:<ref> {{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/06GR.htm |title=6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=9 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101204744/http://regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/06GR.htm |archive-date=1 January 2022}} </ref> | ||
;6th Gurkha Rifles | ;6th Gurkha Rifles | ||
* 1926–1951: F.M. Sir [[William Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood|William Riddell (Birdwood), 1st Lord Birdwood]], GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCVO, CIE, DSO | * 1926–1951: F.M. Sir [[William Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood|William Riddell (Birdwood), 1st Lord Birdwood]], GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCVO, CIE, DSO | ||
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''*1994 Regiment amalgamated to form [[The Royal Gurkha Rifles]]'' | ''*1994 Regiment amalgamated to form [[The Royal Gurkha Rifles]]'' | ||
==Uniforms== | |||
The unique status of the unit until 1886 as the only Gurkha [[Light Infantry]] Regiment was reflected in its distinctive red coats. All other Gurkha regiments wore dark green uniforms and were designated as rifles.<ref>{{cite book|first=J.B.R.|last=Nicholson|pages=30-32 & plate D1|title=The Gurkha Rifles|date=15 June 1974 |isbn=0-85045-196-5}}</ref> A suggestion by the then Viceroy [[Lord Dufferin]] that the regiment change from light infantry to rifles was declined after long discussion on the grounds that recruits sought service in the distinctive ''Lai kurti paltan'' (red coat regiment) where they were sworn in on regimental colours (not carried by rifle regiments). While standardisation eventually converted the 1st Gurkha Light infantry to the 6th Gurkha Rifles the historic red was commemorated in the red ''toories'' on the rifle green Kilmarnock caps.<ref>W.Y. Carman, page 208 "Indian Army Uniforms under the British from the 18th century to 1947. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry", Morgan-Gramian: London 1969"</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Chappell|first=Mike|title=The Gurkhas|publisher=Osprey Military Publishing|location=London|series=Elite series|isbn=978-1-85532-357-5}} | * {{cite book|last=Chappell|first=Mike|title=The Gurkhas|publisher=Osprey Military Publishing|location=London|series=Elite series|date=30 September 1993 |isbn=978-1-85532-357-5}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Cross|first=J.P|author2=Buddhiman Gurung|title=Gurkhas at War: Eyewitness Accounts from World War II to Iraq|publisher=Greenhill Books|location=London|year=2007|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-85367-727-4}} | * {{cite book|last=Cross|first=J.P|author2=Buddhiman Gurung|title=Gurkhas at War: Eyewitness Accounts from World War II to Iraq|publisher=Greenhill Books|location=London|year=2007|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-85367-727-4}} | ||
* {{cite book | * {{cite book | ||
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* {{cite book|last=Lunt|first=James|title=Jai Sixth! The Story of the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles 1817–1994|publisher=Leo Cooper|year=1994|isbn=0-85052-423-7}} | * {{cite book|last=Lunt|first=James|title=Jai Sixth! The Story of the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles 1817–1994|publisher=Leo Cooper|year=1994|isbn=0-85052-423-7}} | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
* {{cite book| | * {{cite book|last1=Ryan|first1=Maj.Dennis GJ &|last2=Strachan|first2=Maj.GC|title=Historical Records of the 6th Gurkha Rifles, Vol I, 1817-1919|publisher=Gale & Polden|year=1925}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Gibbs|first=Col.HKR|title=Historical Records of the 6th Gurkha Rifles, Vol II, 1919-1948|publisher=Gale & Polden|year=1955}} | * {{cite book|last=Gibbs|first=Col.HKR|title=Historical Records of the 6th Gurkha Rifles, Vol II, 1919-1948|publisher=Gale & Polden|year=1955}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080827235617/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/home.shtml 6th Gurkhas Homepage] | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080827235617/http://www.6thgurkhas.org/home.shtml 6th Gurkhas Homepage] | ||
[[Category:Royal Gurkha Rifles]] | |||
[[Category:Brigade of Gurkhas|06]] | [[Category:Brigade of Gurkhas|06]] | ||
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army|Gurkha 006]] | |||
[[Category:Rifle regiments of the British Army]] | |||
[[Category:Rifle regiments]] | |||
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1817]] | [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1817]] | ||
[[Category:British Indian Army infantry regiments]] | [[Category:British Indian Army infantry regiments]] | ||
[[Category:British light infantry]] | [[Category:British light infantry]] | ||