Colchester soldier 'proud' to pass on knowledge to recruits

Corporal Kajan Thapa, aged 31, who spent most of his teen years in Colchester has stated that the highlight of his current 12-year career is training new recruits.

During a two-year position at Pirbright, an army training centre in Woking, surrey, Kajan thoroughly enjoyed helping shape the new recruits that came through its doors.

He said: “We get given civilians and 14 weeks later we send them out as soldiers.

“I was in charge of recruits who start out not quite knowing what they’ve got themselves into, and I was helping them through the training.

“There’s a real sense of pride in seeing people find their feet and develop their skills under your guidance” he continued.

Proud - Corporal Kajan Thappa enjoyed being able to teach new recruits during his two-year position at army training centre Pirbright (Image: Cpl Stone, British Army)
Kajan first moved to Colchester at the age of 15 and attended St Helena School, before progressing to Colchester Institute.

At the age of 18-years-old, Kajan was inspired to enlist in the British army after growing up hearing his father and grandfather’s tales of their adventures within the military. Both of his relatives were in the Royal Gurkha Rifles. 

He said: “My dad and grandad had been in the Royal Gurkha Rifles and I grew up hearing their stories about army life and the opportunities for travel and sport, and I thought ‘I want a bit of that’.”

After starting his career in the army, Kajan worked in Colchester with the 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. Currently, the soldier is now based at Wattisham Flying Station, in Suffolk, working with the 7 Aviation Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

His brother, Sajan Thapa, is also in the military working as an administrator with Colchester’s third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

Purpose - The soldier joined the army at the age of 18-years-old after being inspired by his father and grandfather who also served (Image: Cpl Stone, British Army)

Colchester has a deep and rich history connected to the military and warfare. As the oldest Roman city in the UK, it was the home to a permanent garrison that was established by Legio XX Valeria Victrix in the year AD 43.

Fast-forward to the 20th century and Colchester was a location of importance during the First World War. Numerous soldiers were trained in Colchester as part of Lord Kitchener’s army. 

Today, Merville Barracks, in Circular Road South, is home to the 16 Air Assault Brigade and the second and third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. It was built in 1962.