Soldiers of the Sub-continent on the Western front

[rj_uk]

Im aware the names of some of the soldiers from India who died on the Western Front are listed on the Menin gate but are there any other memorials dedicated to them or any cemeteries to which they are buried?

I have visited Tyne-cot and a few of the other cemeteries and memorials along the Ypres salient but have yet to find any significant mention or dedication to those from the sub-continent, is it because they did not fight in this area or did I completely miss something when there?

I am currently writing a piece on a visit to the area, it is not vital infomation I was just curious, I listed the nationalities of those remembered or buried at the places I visited and noticed that the sub-continent had not been mentioned.

Thanks in advance, any infomation greatly appreciated.

[Michael Johnson]

The largest is the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial (4742 names) http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_detail...4000&mode=1

Then there is Gorre Indian Cemetery http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_detail...5500&mode=1

And Zelobes Indian Cemetery http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_detail...5502&mode=1

[salientguide]

RI uk there has been some discussion on this on the forum recently. The Indian divisions mainly operated south of the Ypres salient1914-1915. They were particularly involved in the early battles of 1915 in Northern France, Neuve Chappelle, Aubers Ridge and Festubert all within a few miles of each other and all attempts to get up onto the Aubers ridge. The Indian brigades and battalions fought as hard as their British counterparts here several winning the VC. As a result Neuve Chappelle was chosen as the site for their memorial and is the principle Indian memoral on the Western front. They suffered such losses and found the winter climate difficult so by the end of 1915 they were lergely withdrawn for reinforcements and sent for duty in warmer climes Mesopotamia and Palestine. Although some individual units were involved in further actions into 1916 the area around Neuve Chappelle will be your area of principle interest. There are two Battleground Europe books on Neuve Chappelle and Aubers Ridge you would find informative. SG

[Malcolm]

also try my friend Mandeep's site at

http://www.ordersofbattle.darkscape.net/site/cimh/index.html

Aye

Malcolm

[Ron Clifton]

Hello all

The Indians usually burned their dead in accordance with Hindu custom, so there are comparatively few actual burials on the Western Front. There are some at Etaples as wel;l as those mentioned in earlier posts, but the memorial at Neuve Chapelle was the main focus of remembrance.

Ron

[NigelS]

Not on the Western Front, but there are the remains of a Cemetery built in 1917 specifically for Muslim soldiers on Horsell Common, Woking, Surrey (Not to be confused with Brookwood Military Cemetery which is also in the area). It is said to have been built to allay fears caused by enemy propaganda that Muslims were not being buried in accordance with the requirements of their religion. Woking was selected as the site because it is home to the UK's (said to be Western Europe's) first Mosque, the Shah Jehan Mosque, which opened in 1889. Because of its isolated location the graves were repeatedly vandalised post WW2 which led to the remains being removed to Brookwood Military Cemetery some years ago. Sadly, the cemetery has been allowed to fall into disrepair through neglect and vandalism which is a shame, as although it no longer contains graves, it would make fitting memorial to the Muslim fallen of both wars; unfortunately its isolated location and lack of funding is very much against it. I believe the burials were of wounded men who had died in the UK having been sent here from the front for treatment.

See

http://www.horsellcommon.co.uk/mosburygrndhc.htm

http://www.darkmatter101.org/site/2007/07/...-pavilion-2006/