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April 7 2016
We have to thank Alan Lane for forwarding this memory for us to enjoy
Have you ever visited a war memorial? Doesn’t it fill you with a sense of pride and give you
an insight into the heroic past of India and her soldiers, their sacrifices and undying love for
the country.
War memorials are built to pay homage to these great souls and remind us about the
immense courage of these soldiers in giving us the freedom we enjoy today.
While there are many such amazing and inspiring war memorials in the country, here is a list
of some war memorials for Indian soldiers across the globe as well:
1. Chattri, Brighton, UK.
This war memorial is a tribute to a number of Indian soldiers who fought for the British Empire during the First World War. India was part of British Empire then and more than 800,000 Indian soldiers fought for the Allied Powers. The memorial is located near Patcham, where 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who died in Brighton war hospitals between 1914 and 1915 were cremated.
The memorial was unveiled by the Prince of Wales on February 21, 1921. The plinth bears an inscription in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. It reads as follows:
“To the memory of all Indian soldiers who gave their lives for the King-Emperor in the Great War, this monument, erected on the site of the funeral pyre where Hindus and Sikhs who died in hospital at Brighton passed through the fire, is in grateful admiration and brotherly love dedicated.”
2. Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, Germany
Located 40 km from Berlin, Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery is the final resting place for 206 Indian soldiers who died in captivity and were buried in the cemetery Zehrensdorf during the First World War. The cemetery is one of the largest ‘Indian’ (and Gurkha) cemeteries from the First World War in (Eastern) Europe.
The plinth at the cemetery reads:
“In memory of these men who died in captivity and were buried at a village near Berlin.”
3. Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial, France
This war memorial was made in the memory of over 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during the First World War and have no known graves. The memorial was constructed at Neuve Chapelle because of the impressive participation by Indian troops at the Battle of Neuve Chapell.
4. Haifa War Memorial, Israel
The fortified town of Haifa fell to a cavalry charge by the Jodhpur Lancers of the 15th I.S. Cavalry Brigade on September 23, 1918. India was again fighting for the British Empire and the attack took place on Austrian and German units. The event is taught to children in local schools. A commemorative service is now held annually at the Memorial, attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Indian Armed Force.
5. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta
From the spring of 1915, the hospitals and convalescent depots established on the islands of Malta and Gozo dealt with over 135,000 sick and wounded, chiefly from the campaigns in Gallipoli and Salonika. The commemorations in Pieta include 20 Indian servicemen who were cremated at Lazaretto Cemetery.
July 2014
BURIALS IN ASSAM & N.E. INDIA 1793-1974
E book PDF format cost £6
Previously published under the titles of Assam & North-East India Christian Cemeteries and Monuments 1793-2003 and Darjeeling & the Dooars Christian Cemeteries and Monuments 1842-1995.
This e book is a collection of 2136 European burials and 507 births with some biographical records from the north-east territories of Assam, Manipur, Darjeeling, the Dooars, Nagaland. Mizoram and Meghalaya. The names include those of tea planters, military personnel, and missionaries.
Author Eileen Hewson FRGS
Publisher The Kabristan Archives
Pub date 2014
Pages 231
ISBN 9781906276584
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