Plans for a national memorial to honour the contribution Sikhs
made to Britain and her allies has today (30 January 2018)
received backing from Communities Secretary .
He confirmed government support for campaign to erect a Sikh war
memorial in London. Communities Secretary said:
The part played by Sikh servicemen really stands out – a
contribution that’s all the more remarkable when you consider
that these brave men travelled thousands of miles to fight for
a country that wasn’t their own.
We are indebted to all those servicemen who volunteered to
serve and fought to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.
That’s why a Sikh war memorial in our nation’s capital will
honour their sacrifice and ensure that this part of our shared
history is never forgotten. So I’m delighted to get behind this
campaign and ensure its success.
Sikh servicemen in the British Armed Forces have displayed
extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice in the service of
Great Britain and her allies. Hundreds of thousands of Sikh
soldiers saw active service during the First and Second World
Wars and in subsequent conflicts. More than 83,000 turbaned Sikh
soldiers gave their lives and more than 100,000 were injured
during both Wars.
Despite making up only two per cent of the Indian population when
the First World War broke out, Sikhs accounted for more than 20
per cent of the Indian Army’s manpower. Sikh soldiers from the
Punjab and surrounding states saw action in Europe, Africa and
the Middle East, most notably on the Western Front and at
Gallipoli.
On the Western Front Sikhs fought and died alongside their
British, Indian and Commonwealth counterparts. Their contribution
was essential to the war effort and of the twenty-two Military
Crosses awarded to Indian soldiers, fourteen went to Sikhs.
As part of marking the final year of the First World War
centenary commemorations, Government has extended support for a
campaign led by Slough MP to help set up a
Working Group and support the campaign to find a suitable
location. Once an appropriate site has been identified and a
memorial agreed on, the Government has agreed to provide funding
towards the project.
More information on government activity for the First World War
Centenary.
