20 former Gurkhas are celebrating ten years of bringing military discipline to local buses at First Bus’ Colchester depot in Essex this Armed Forces Day.
With 20 former Gurkhas driving buses and working in the operations control room in Colchester, local bus operator First Essex is now one of the largest employers of former Gurkha soldiers in the transport sector.
Since 2004, when they were granted the right to live and work in the UK in recognition of their invaluable service to Britain, Colchester has become home to around 150 ex Gurkha families. Over that time, 20 ex-Gurkha personnel have joined First Essex and pursued successful post-military careers with the transport company.
First Essex Controller Kiran Gurung served in the British Army for 18 years in The Falklands, Bosnia, Brunei, Cyprus, Germany, Hong Kong and South Korea. He is still an active member of 254 Medical Regiment of the Army Reserves, and says the transition from military life to a career in transport was an easy one.
“We were very proud to serve in the British Army and we’ve integrated really well into the local Colchester community. I moved to Colchester with my family in 2006 and went to see the local management team for a job on the buses. With my military qualifications and experience, I was given the opportunity to start work as a driver and have never looked back. I now work in the operations department, overseeing the daily running of our services here in Essex. As more of my Gurkha colleagues began to settle in Colchester, I encouraged them to apply to First Essex, as many of them had experience driving whilst in the forces. Now we have 13 drivers, all from the same regiment, plus another seven former Gurkhas from other regiments. I suppose I am looked on as a bit of a father figure in recruiting and looking after my colleagues.”
Alex Jones, managing director for First Essex, said, “We’re delighted to have Kiran and our other ex-military colleagues as part of the First Essex family. They are always very professional and dedicated, exemplifying the best of what we look for in our staff. They are also very popular with our customers – their welcoming hellos and smiles to passengers go down very well, and provide a very reassuring presence. I think careers in transport suit ex-military personnel in particular because of the discipline and efficiency that such roles entail. We find ex-military personnel, with the attention to detail and strong work ethic bred through military training, do extremely well in a service like ours, where timing, precision and a ‘right first time’ approach is key.”
Now the intrepid brigade of ex-Gurkhas are bringing their military efficiency to their latest operation - urging the public to get behind Armed Forces Day, on 25 June. The Gurkhas already support a number of different local charities in Colchester such as youth projects, the British Legion, Help for Heroes and Remembrance Day.
An MOD spokesperson said, “It is fantastic that companies like First Essex support our Reservists and ex-service personnel, recognizing that their military qualifications and skills can be utilized in the civilian work force. Armed Forces Day is the chance to show support to the men and women that make up the Armed Forces community and we are grateful for the continued support that businesses like First Essex offer”.
Kiran said, “Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity to celebrate those that help or have helped protect our country. We shall be wearing our military uniforms with pride on June 25/26 whether we’re driving buses or if we’re part of local events in Colchester. I’m proud that First Essex is supporting Armed Forces Day – we are also doing some fundraising to help support the event.”
Talking about Armed Forces Day, Alex added, “We’ve a large number of ex-military personnel at First Essex and across our UK operations. We’re very thankful for the service they give us today, but also for the service they’ve given our country in their careers. Armed Forces Day is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute not just to my colleagues, but to everyone across our network who may have served.”
To help celebrate Armed Forces Day, several First Bus operators nationwide, including in York, Manchester, Leeds, Stoke and Norwich are providing free bus travel across their networks to anyone wearing uniforms of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and any associated cadet force.
