Kent County Council voted on 17 September 2026 to award the Freedom of the County of Kent to the Brigade of Gurkhas, formally recognising more than 200 years of military service and the Brigade’s ties to communities across Kent.
Kent County Council voted at a special debate on 17 September 2026 to grant the Freedom of the County of Kent to the Brigade of Gurkhas, attracting cross-party support. The motion was brought forward by council leader Linden Kemkaran.
Two Gurkha units are based in Kent: the Royal Gurkha Rifles at Shorncliffe in Folkestone, and the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers in Maidstone.
The Brigade’s history stretches back to 1815. To put the scale of that service in numbers:
- Around 100,000 Gurkhas served during the First World War
- More than 110,000 served during the Second World War
- The Brigade has served Britain in conflicts around the world across more than two centuries
KCC Chairman Jeremy Eustace said the Freedom of Kent is one of the highest honours the county can bestow. He described the award as recognition of the Brigade’s “extraordinary military service, sacrifice and commitment” and the “strong and longstanding relationship” between Gurkhas and the people of Kent. Soldiers and their families, he added, are “an important part of our communities” — and he is “delighted and honoured” that the county can recognise them this way.