11 Rupee Heroes

[better ole]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2384244/11-rupee-heroes-fought-free-Minister-salutes-Indian-soldiers-contribution-Great-War.html

Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere.

[squirrel]

Splendid piece of writing and a timely reminder of how much we owe to those who fought alongside the British forces in WW1 and WW2 and continue to do so.

[Steven Broomfield]

Good for Baroness warsi and (dare I say it?) the Mail.

Shame they didn't use the Indian Memorial at Neuve Chappelle instead of the Menin Gate, but even so, a useful piece.

[spof]

Most tabloid readers wouldn't recognise the Indian Memorial if it bit them on the arm. There is also a specific reference in the article about "seeing the Khans and Singhs listed on the Menin Gate".

A pity then there are no Khans and only 1 Singh on the Menin Gate. (And that Singh is an Australian!)

[better ole]

I hadn't seen the first photograph before. wonder why the chap, in the steel helmet, is standing to attention?

[Steven Broomfield]

For 11 rupees, wouldn't you stand to attention?

[spconnolly007]

A pity then there are no Khans and only 1 Singh on the Menin Gate. (And that Singh is an Australian!)

Your link to the CWGC proves correct but I was certain that there were a number of Singh's on the pillar above the remembrance book vault. I remember taking a photo for a Sikh friend to show him. I will have to dig it out.

Confused,

Sean.

[spconnolly007]

Here we go.

[squirrel]

I hadn't seen the first photograph before. wonder why the chap, in the steel helmet, is standing to attention?

Probably thought it right to stand to attention when having his photograph taken?

[Tom Tulloch-Marshall]

Splendid piece of writing and a timely reminder of how much we owe to those who fought alongside the British forces in WW1 and WW2 and continue to do so.

Earlier this year I finally managed to get into the cemetery pictured below; a couple of previous attempts having failed as I had arrived in the area when the local Mairie was closed. The Mairie has to be open because you have to go there to get access to the cemetery register, the visitor's book, and the key with which to let yourself into the cemetery.

Its a lovely cemetery and memorial, spacious and tranquil, and set within a high walled enclosure. Unfortunately it has to be permanently locked as the locals wouldn't stop vandalising it. The 339 burials and commemorations of the First World War are Indians, and the memorial is to 32 officers and men of the Indian Army who were cremated in the cemetery in 1915.

Meerut Military Cemetery, St Martin-les-Boulogne.

Tom

[spof]

Thanks Sean

I too was surprised about the lack of names in the CWGC database but the proof is in the photo. A cemetery search and exporting that data shows a few more Khans but still only the one Singh.

Glen

[spconnolly007]

Thats the CWGC for you Glen