Working with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles stands as one of the defining highlights of the Soldiery project, produced through the Rory Lewis Non-Profit. While many civilians have a general awareness of the Gurkhas, few fully understand the depth of tradition, discipline, and identity that defines this extraordinary regiment.

Distinct among British Army units, the Royal Gurkha Rifles carry no flag or pennant. Instead, their battle honours are worn on the chest belt—an austere and deeply symbolic expression of service. During these sittings, I was honoured to photograph one of the regiment’s most sacred ceremonial objects: The Queen’s Truncheon, presented in 1863 in recognition of unwavering loyalty and service to the Crown. Its presence speaks quietly but powerfully to nearly two centuries of shared history.

The Queen's Truncheon, 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (Rory Lewis Military Portrait Photographer)

Gurkhas are inseparable from the khukuri, the forward-curving Nepalese blade synonymous with their fearsome reputation. Examining the khukuri at close quarters underscored its brutal practicality—an implement still carried and used by Gurkha soldiers in modern conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan. As Sam Manekshaw, former Chief of the Indian Army, famously observed:

2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles — Portrait Sittings

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”
The regimental motto—“Better to die than be a coward”—is not rhetoric, but a lived ethos.

Each face I photographed carried extraordinary presence. Originating from Nepal, these soldiers travel thousands of miles to serve in the British Army. Every year, around 20,000 candidates present themselves for selection; only approximately 200 earn the right to wear the cap badge of the Royal Gurkha Rifles. That scale of commitment and competition is etched into their expressions—calm, resolute, and quietly proud.

The battalion is based in Folkestone, where I was greeted on arrival by the Adjutant, fluent in Nepalese. Gurkha units are led by British officers, all of whom must learn the Nepalese language during their initial training in Nepal—an essential bond of leadership and respect. During the sittings, direction was minimal. Each soldier stood naturally, composed and dignified, embodying pride in belonging to one of the most respected regiments in military history.

British Gurkhas have earned their reputation for exceptional bravery, including the award of nine Victoria Crosses during the Second World War alone. Through these portraits, the Rory Lewis Non-Profit seeks to preserve not only the likeness of these soldiers, but the spirit, heritage, and humanity of a regiment unlike any other.

2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles — Portrait Sittings

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”
The regimental motto—“Better to die than be a coward”—is not rhetoric, but a lived ethos.

Click to View Rory Lewis Non-Profit — Military Portrait Archive

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”The regimental motto—“Better to die than be a coward”—is not rhetoric, but a lived ethos.

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”
The regimental motto—“Better to die than be a coward”—is not rhetoric, but a lived ethos.