Pardeep Kaur MBE: From Indian Roots to a Celebrated Route in the British Army

The theme ‘Roots to Routes’ connects deeply with the journey of Sergeant Pardeep Kaur MBE, a chef instructor in the British Army. Her path from a small village in Punjab in India to receiving an MBE from Prince William is a powerful story of determination, service and the enduring strength of one’s origins. 

Pardeep’s roots are firmly planted in BopaRai, near Phagwara, in the Punjab region of India. Growing up, she “had listened to stories from her relatives and family friends about the people from her community who had volunteered to serve in the United Kingdom and Indian Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars”. This legacy, alongside the sight of an Indian Army military base near her home, first ignited her fascination.  

“The idea of joining the Army first came to me when I was a young school student in India. I would often see military trucks passing through the streets, and I was deeply drawn to the uniform—not in a personal or emotional sense, but because of what it symbolised: strength, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose. I remember telling my mum how smart and powerful it looked. I even started visualising myself wearing that uniform one day. But at the time, it wasn’t common for girls to join the Army, so gradually the thought was pushed aside—even by me. I stopped talking about it, and eventually, I stopped thinking about it too. Still, that early spark stayed quietly within me, and years later, it found its way back—stronger, clearer, and ready to be acted upon.” 

Life, however, presented a challenging turn with her father’s passing when Pardeep was young. “Losing the head of the house, my mum was somewhat helpless… The pressure really got to us”. This adversity set Pardeep on a new route, leading her to the UK in 2007. Sponsored by her aunt and uncle who were living in the UK, the move was driven by a heartfelt desire to support her family. “Having been born and brought up in India, in a small village with four siblings and after my dad passed away, there wasn’t much for me to do. I wanted to support my family”. 

The transition to the UK brought its own hurdles, primarily the language barrier: “the most challenging part was communication”. Her aunt and uncle’s immersive approach to learning English, which famously included watching EastEnders, proved crucial. Pardeep describes watching episodes of EastEnders and her uncle stopping and starting the television to quiz her on what had just been said on screen, and so in her own words, she was able to “learn a basic level of English very quickly”. 

It was in the UK, while working as a beautician, that the idea of joining the British Army crystallised. The example of another Indian woman serving in the Army Medical Corps presented an opportunity. “I thought to myself, being only 17 or 18 years old and unsure what to do, that I should speak to her and see what the options were”. 

The path to service was not without its trials. Initial selection attempts brought setbacks. Failing the fitness element after dropping the heavy 20-litre jerrycans, she was told, “Sorry Kaur, you have to come back again. This will be your last chance”. The disappointment was immense: “I thought, that’s it. I don’t think I’m going to make it”. Yet, solid encouragement came from her family. “My uncle got me a gym induction, and I got a personal trainer… He also got me 20-litre jerrycans to carry up and down the house”. With a growing indomitable spirit, Pardeep persevered. This relentless dedication forged the strength needed. On her third attempt: success. “I had proven to them that anything is possible”. 

Pardeep chose to become an Army chef. This role connected with her background but also presented new challenges. “In the chef’s school, we cooked for 3 or 4 portions. In the field army unit, you’re cooking for over 100 or 200 people. That’s the real hard work.” Her route within the Army has taken her on deployments to diverse and demanding environments, from the heat of South Sudan on Operation Trenton, where “cooking for nearly 400 to 500 people was a big challenge due to conditions”, to the freezing temperatures of Estonia on a NATO tour, where “with very few resources, we set up the kitchen and cooked to cater for their survival needs”. 

Throughout her service, Pardeep has not only excelled in her demanding role but has also become “a fitness influencer, especially for the Asian community”. Her journey is a beacon. “As a chef instructor, my role is to inspire the next generation… I always share my story; it’s not easy to get to this stage”. 

Her contributions and dedication were formally recognised with an MBE in 2023. Receiving the honour from The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle was a profoundly proud moment. “I saw Prince William face-to-face… I thought, this is never stopping. Keep it moving, keep it going”. The Prince himself called her “truly a trailblazer”. 

Remembrance holds a special significance. “I always remember those who have given their lives for us”. Pardeep actively participates in Remembrance events and undertook a gruelling 48-hour challenge – running 4km every hour with a 15kg weight – to raise funds for the Royal British Legion. “This is my contribution towards those who have given their lives, who have sacrificed their lives for us so we can have a better today. This is just a little contribution from me”.