Benjamin Atkinson Joins Gurkhas Army - 5 Facts About Rowan Atkinson's Lookalike Son!

Gurkhas Army comes from the name of a region in Nepal called Gorkha, a former kingdom whose King Prithvi Narayan Shah annexed other kingdoms and formed the foundation of a greater Nepal. The small Republic squeezed between the giants China and India is the home to some of the world’s bravest soldiers.

After the 1814-1816 war between British East India Company and Nepal, the Company lost a lot of money and soldiers with no end in sight to bring the Nepalese to surrender. Instead, a treaty was signed between the countries which allowed the British to recruit Nepali soldiers into the British Army, and this was the foundation of the British Regiment in Indian and British Army.

Source: Daily Mail

Now, it seems Benjamin Atkinson, the son of Rowan Atkinson, is joining the ranks to the illustrious group after visiting Nepal for a three months course to learn the Nepali language. Benjamin looks just like his father, and after ten weeks of learning the culture and the language of the people, he is joining the Gurkha Army as an Officer. So, here are five facts you should know about Benjamin Atkinson.

5. Instead of Comedy and Acting; Benjamin Joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Benjamin Atkinson was born on 9 September 1993 in England at the height of his father’s fame with the world recognizing the actor with his now-iconic character ‘Mr. Bean.’ Benjamin was the first child of Rowan, and after he grew up, instead of getting into acting like his father, Benjamin went to Military school.

Benjamin went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where some of the Royals graduated from. Admission to the Academy is considered to be an achievement, and Benjamin was accepted in 2016 with him joining the class, previously attended by Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Henry, and Prince Edward.

4. He was the Guard of Honor During the Meeting of Theresa May and Emanuel Macron

After finishing his education at the Academy, he was assigned to be one of the honor guards during the French President Emanuel Macron's first visit to the UK. The President met with the Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May, and the two received an honor guard with the two heads of states taking pictures with the military men present.

It was the 35th United Kingdom-France Summit when he was among the group of fresh recruits who posed for a photo with the dignitaries. He was seen smiling alongside the President of France in the photo.

3. The Parents of Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson’s father is a famous man, but his mother, on the other hand, is not so much. She is a former makeup artist, and she is of Indian heritage. Sunetra Sastry was working in the makeup department when she met Rowan during the filming of 'Blackadder.' The two formed a connection and soon got married in 1990 with Benjamin being born three years later.

2. Benjamin’s Siblings

Benjamin Atkinson is not the only child of Rowan and Sunetra Sastry. He is the first child, and two years later, his little sister was born. Lily Atkinson is his sister, and he is also the half-brother of his father’s third child. Rowan is in a relationship with Louise Ford after, and he and Sunetra got divorced in 2015, and they welcomed their first child together in December of 2017.

1. Joining the Gurkhas

Gurkhas are part of the British forces for over 200 years, and they also contributed to the war effort during the two world wars, and they are also currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot zones with British Military’s involvement. About 200,000 Gurkha troops fought on all fronts during the two wars. There is a certain allure to joining a group of soldiers who carry a Khukuri to battle (a knife-but way better).

Benjamin went to Nepal to learn the Nepali language and also learn about the culture of the country. According to The Gurkha Brigade, Benjamin “The Hound,” Atkinson took to the language quickly. “Lt Atkinson grasped the language remarkably quickly. This may be attributed either to his language experience,” they wrote. “having studied both Arabic and Spanish previously, or to his urgent requirement to learn the local Nepalese ‘chat-up’ lines. “Learning some Nepalese dance moves was also a personal priority, and Lt Atkinson was quick to establish an impressive “uthyo basyo” (an up-down rapid squatting dance-move).”

Source: The Gurkha Brigade

Benjamin is now a Gurkha officer, and he could not be any more proud, which is probably the case with his sister, mother, and father.

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