Brighton research trip
When we think of memorial grounds for South Asian soldiers, we think of India or Pakistan. Who would have thought there are memorial grounds for South Asian Soldiers in the UK?
On Sunday 10th June 2018, we were delighted to take young people and community members from Birmingham to Woking and Brighton to research further about these memorial grounds that they did not know existed. This is all part of a project I am currently working on called Journey from Home - exploring the stories and experiences of South Asian soldiers (Muslim, Sikh and Hindus) who fought for British forces during First World War. This project is in partnership with We Were There Too and funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.
We were greeted at Woking Peace Garden by Dr Iqbal, who informed us that this garden was created to remember Muslim soldiers. Woking Peace Garden is a memorial garden with the names of 28 soldiers that were originally buried there. 19 Muslim Indian soldiers from First World War were buried there and then 8 soldiers from Second World War. They were removed in the 1960’s and re-buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery due to the constant vandalism. The Peace Garden was opened officially on Thursday 12th November 2015 by His Royal Highness of the Early of Wessex KG GCVO.
The young people all got involved by asking questions and taking part in a minutes silence to ensure that those soldiers are not forgotten, understanding more about Muslim soldiers and their contribution during First World War. This research trip was all about engaging young people about the memorial sites that they were unaware of, we also laid a wreath, in remembrance for the soldiers.
After leaving Woking Peace Garden, we made our way to the annual Chattri Memorial service in Brighton. The Chattri service is held every second Sunday in June to remember the Sikh and Hindu soldiers, and organised by Mr Dhillion. We were joined by Major Gogna REME, and together with a couple of our young people they laid a wreath at the Chattri. The Chattri is a war memorial, located in the suburb of Patcham, dedicated to the Sikh and Hindu soldiers during First World War. 53 bodies are cremated here and it is dedicated to those soldiers who died at Brighton hospital during 1914-1915. The Chattri was unveiled 21st February 1921 by the Prince of Wales. The Chattri has the following inscription, in Urdu, Hindi and English.
“In honour of those soldiers of the Indian Army whose mortal remains were committed to fire”
After laying the wreath the group engaged with members representing the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as well as having the opportunity to take pictures.
After the service we travelled to Brighton Pavilion for a private tour by Kevin Bacon. The young people and community members from Birmingham had never been to Brighton so this was an experience that they would never forget. With access to all parts of the Pavilion, we learnt about how the different rooms in the Pavilion were used for the injured Indian Soldiers. The young people leant that during First World War the Pavilion was used as a hospital for the injured and wounded soldiers. We got to see old images of the Pavilion and it has remained the same, and since 2014 the Pavilion has had a gallery dedicated to the Indian Soldiers.
This research trip was created to engage with community member and young people from Birmingham and raise their awareness on the contribution made by Indian Soldiers during First World War. The day was really wonderful with everyone learning something new and creating memories that would not have been possible without funding from Heritage Lottery Fund.
