On Tuesday as Britain observed the Armstice day, special tributes were paid to those who sacrificed their lives in World War One (WWI). Ceremonies took place all across Britain. Services were held in military bases, churches and schools, and a two-minute silence was observed at 11am GMT. In London a 13 year old army cadet reportedly planted the final symbolic ceramic poppy in the art installation of the Tower of London. This was followed from a nationwide Remembrance Sunday celebrations on 9 November.
Britain's Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims also paid homage to the fallen heroes over the last few weeks. The poignant last words of thousands of brave World War I soldiers who died for their country were also revealed.
The ceramic poppies that had become a complicated political issue, with allegations that they do not represent the Commonwealth soldiers who lay their lives for an unknown country-Britain- in the end turned out something very simple and emotional.
As Ben Macintyre writes in The Times: 'millions of ordinary, unnamed people coming to pay tribute to hundreds and thousands of ordinary, anonymous dead' through 888,246 poppies- one for every British and Commonwealth soldier killed in the Great War.
Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities celebrate the centenary of WWI
Volunteers from Sikh, Muslim and Hindu communities came together to commemorate the fallen of World War One and to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
Awareness of the contribution of pre-partition Indians to the British war effort was previously not well known by the majority of the British public but over the past 2 years this has increased by 24%, with 68% of the public now aware.
Poppy stalls collecting for the Royal British Legion were set up by multi-faith groups across London and in Derby, Redbridge, Leeds and Nottingham with volunteers drawn from churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras and temples. Communities Ministers also attended events in London.
Speaking after attending a We Remember Too event outside Westminster Cathedral on 5 November, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles said:
World War One touched the lives of millions of people across generations and across continents – from every corner of the world people united to fight for Britain. The legacy of their sacrifice can be felt in the freedoms that we all now enjoy today. 100 years on, it’s only right that Briton’s from every background come together to remember their service.
Events to mark Commonwealth contributions
There were a number of Commonwealth soldiers who participated in the WWI- amongst them were at least 1.5mn Indians.
To commemorate the Sikh contribution to the Great War on Monday 10 November, Conservative MP Paul Uppal welcomed the Sikh Discover Inspire - The G T 1588 initiative in the Parliament, that was attended by the Secretary of State for Culture Media & Sport Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP
As well as marking the Sikh role, it remembered all those who contributed from British India - a total of close to 1.5 million personnel, all of who were volunteers. Sikhs made up just 2% of the population of India but made up 20% of those who chose to serve.
There was a special musical performance of a Punjabi wartime folk song, and a moment of remembrance after a unique rendition of the last post.
On 6th November, Dr Onkar Sahota Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon organised a reception for the UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA) in commemorating the Sikh contribution to the Great War in this centenary of the outbreak of hostilities. UKPHA have commenced on a three-year project to mark the Sikh and Indian contribution which will see them collect and share stories of those who went to war, as well as those who were left behind.
Speaking at the event in City Hall, Dr Sahota said, “If you gaze over the Thames towards Tower Bridge you will catch a glimpse of the 888,246 ceramic poppies. Each of them represent a life lost top war. As we mark the centenary of the WWI, we also remember the quarter million soldiers who gave their lives...
“The concept of Dharam Yudh (in Sikhism) explains: that war- if necessary- after a; peaceful means have been exhausted- and if conducted with discipline and honour, where ceasefire are honoured and places of worship not harmed- can be just.
“Discipline, integrity and courage are part of Sikh religion. These are also essential for a good soldier. That is why Sikhs make good soldier.”
The government revealed that all Victoria Cross recipients that were born overseas will be commemorated with a paving stone in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will also place commemorative plaques in countries around the world for men from overseas who received the Victoria Cross, for service in the First World War. On 9 March on Commonwealth Day a major event is being planned at the National arboretum to commemorate those from the Commonwealth nations who received Victoria Crosses
A tribute will be paid to the contributions of the Indian troupe (including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) in the second battle of Neuve Chapelle at an event on 10th March 2015 in the Imperial War Museum North, Salford.
Rt Hon Sadiq Khan, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice told Asian Voice, “In recent days, we have seen special services held, and wreaths laid at war memorials throughout the country and at London’s Cenotaph. Millions of people have taken the time to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and our British values...
“In the early months of the First World War, without the brave efforts of the volunteer Indian army many miles from home, the Germans might have broken through and taken control of the Channel Ports. “History could have been very different and we owe those men and women a great debt. Memorials across northern France and Belgium are littered with names like Muhammad, Aslam, Abdul and even Khan, who died fighting for our country.
“As we honour their sacrifice, and the memory of the fallen, we think of those who still give so much for our liberty and protection today. This and each Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to our bravest, and we reaffirm that they will never be forgotten.”
WWI Commemorative plaque unveiled in Islamabad
On 10th November, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr Philip Barton CMG OBE, unveiled a plaque in honour of three soldiers from modern day Pakistan, who were awarded Victoria Crosses during the First World War.
The ceremony formed part of the UK Government’s programme of events to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War, during which 175 men from 11 countries were awarded the Victoria Cross.
Following the unveiling of the plaque, the High Commissioner and his Chief Guest, Pakistan’s Defence Secretary Lt. General (Rtd) Alam Khattak, laid a wreath in remembrance of all those who had lost their lives in the First World War and those who have fallen in conflicts since.
The plaque honours the bravery of Sepoy Khudadad Khan - the first South Asian and Muslim recipient of the Victoria Cross - Jemadar Mir Dast and Naik Shahamad Khan, who were all awarded Britain’s highest award for gallantry during the First World War.
A descendant of Khudadad Khan was among those present at the ceremony. Other guests included serving and former members of armed forces from across the Commonwealth and other countries as well as representatives from the international community. Community members from Dulmial Village, Punjab, also attended the event. Over 450 soldiers from this village fought in the First World War, the largest number from any village in South Asia.
The plaque will eventually be placed in a prominent public area in Islamabad, so that the stories of these heroes will become better known and enable younger generations to learn about our shared history and the extraordinary courage and heroism of those from their own country who fought during the First World War.
Final words of fallen heroes unearthed
The poignant last words of thousands of brave WWI soldiers who died for their country were revealed as a remembrance to their ultimate sacrifice. The Probate Office’s huge archive of 278,000 soldiers’ wills was released in the run-up to the centenary of the start of the Great War, which began on July 28, 1914, as part of the Government’s wider drive to modernise and open up its services.
The digitised documents are part of the huge archive of 41 million wills preserved by Iron Mountain on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
The private messages of those soldiers who died fighting for the country are part of the England and Wales online archive of 278,000 soldiers’ wills. The wills, which were carried around by soldiers at all times in a pocket book tucked into their uniform, represent their last ever personally written record.
These documents, detailing soldiers’ last wishes were put online last year by HM Courts & Tribunals Service to enable people to search for what may have been the final messages sent home by their relatives. More than one million searches have already been made.
In one handwritten message available in the database, a soldier writes: “…I am only sorry that I did not see you all before I went but…mother dear do not lose heart I may come back again...”
Justice Minister Shailesh Vara said: “On this day it is important we remember those who laid down their lives for our country.
“We should never forget the sacrifices these men and women made and this valuable archive of wills helps preserve the memories of our fallen soldiers for generations to come.
“Every soldier had to complete a will before they headed to the front line so their estate could be dealt with if they lost their life. Often they used their will to write letters to their loved ones. Many of these historic documents show the terrible damage suffered during the war."
