By Dut Pun (Chimkhole Kaila)
DEAL, KENT – Family, friends, and former comrades gathered today, Friday, March 27, 2026, at St Andrew’s Church in Deal to pay their final respects to Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS, the distinguished military historian and retired officer of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
The service, which celebrated a life defined by military service and a prolific contribution to British historical literature, was marked by the evocative sounds of the Gurkha pipes.
A Service of Remembrance
Attendees were welcomed to the church by Father Stephen Young. In a poignant nod to Major Corrigan’s long-standing connection with the Gurkhas, piper Milan Thapa Magar played “Black Bear” as remains and mourners entered.
The service featured several moving readings:
Professor Mark Connelly delivered excerpts from Shakespeare’s Henry V (Act 4 and Act 3, Scene 1), reflecting the Major’s passion for military history.
Kitty Corrigan read Minnie Louise Haskins’ famous poem, “The Gate of the Year” (I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year).
Tributes to a “Soldier and Scholar”
Brigadier John Anderson OBE, President of the 6 Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association, delivered a tribute focusing on Major Corrigan’s distinguished military career. He highlighted his years of service within the 6 Gurkha Rifles and the wider Gurkha Brigade, where Corrigan earned deep respect before retiring to become a household name in military history.
Personal memories were shared by his son, Edward Corrigan, and his wife, Imogen Corrigan, who spoke candidly of their life together, sharing both the “good and bad memories” of a man known for his sharp wit and strong character.
Final Farewell
The congregation joined in several hymns before concluding with the National Anthem. As the service ended, the piper played “Yo Nepali” to escort the mourners from the church.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Landmark Centre in Deal, which was attended by 200 people.
Major Corrigan was later laid to rest at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, a fitting final resting place for a man who dedicated his life to the study and service of the British Army.
In lieu of flowers, donations were collected for the Gurkha Museum, the Gurkha Trust, and St Andrew’s Church.
