Major Shuresh Kumar Thapa
Shuresh Kumar Thapa MVO enlisted into the Brigade of Gurkhas in November 1990 at British Gurkhas Pokhara. After completing basic recruit training in Malay Lines, Hong Kong, he joined the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles (6GR). Following the disbandment of 6GR, he joined C Company, First Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR) before being posted to the Gurkha Reinforcement Company (GRC) First Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (and then subsequently 1 Royal Irish Regiment) as Section Commander. On promotion to Sergeant he was posted to The Highlanders; during his tour in The Highlanders he deployed on Op FRESCO (Fire Strike) and Foot & Mouth containment operations in Scotland. He then returned to his parent Battalion in 2004 and deployed on Op OCULUS; a tour from which he promoted to CSgt.
Following 2 years as Instructor in Senior Div, Brecon he returned to 1RGR in 2006 and assumed the appointment of Company Sergeant Major of A (Delhi) Company for Op HERRICK 7. During this tour he deployed with his Company throughout Southern Afghanistan and was involved in a large number of complex offensive operations against the Taliban. He commissioned in June 2008 and assumed Command of 7 Platoon, C (Moguang) Company. During this appointment, he deployed on Op HERRICK 12; and for his courage and leadership was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (MID). Post tour he was posted for 1 year at Gurkha Company, Catterick as Platoon Commander, training new recruits, before again returning to Regimental Duty as Second in Command of A (Delhi) Company. During this tour he deployed with his Company on Op HERRICK 17; operating again in Nar-e-Saraj, partnering with Afghan Security Forces in an independent Company location.
On returned he assumed the appointment of Regimental Career Managing Officer before being selected as Queen’s Gurkha Orderly Officer and SO3 Plans in HQBG. He was promoted to Major in Jul 2016 and appointed OC HQ (Burma) Company. In 2017, he was selected for the Gurkha Major (GM) 1RGR. Post GM he deployed for a fourth time to Afghanistan, on Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT as the COS of the Kabul Military Training Centre Advisor Group. He was appointed Officer Commanding Gurkha Coy (Sittang) in Feb 2020.
He is loving husband to Leela, and doting father to his daughter Manmaya, and son Soyal. He enjoys most sports, particularly running and mountain biking.
