A NEW squadron of 69 Gurkhas was being warmly welcomed to York today with a flourish of military pomp and ceremony.

The Nepalese soldiers, renowned for their loyalty and bravery, will form 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron, and will officially become part of 2 Signal Regiment, based at Imphal Barracks, in Fulford Road. Today's re-formation parade saw 180 soldiers, led by Major Steve May, march past Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, the commander of 15 (North East) Brigade, who was accompanied by the regiment's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Cameron-Mowat and the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Irene Waudby.

Lance Corporal Bharat, a piper with the Brigade of Gurkhas Pipe Band, played at the the march past.

Updated: 14:21 Monday, December 03, 2001