Tom Brake MP is pressing in Parliament for the erection of London’s first monument to mark the Sikh community’s contribution to World War One.
The Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson has tabled an Early Day Motion [EDM] calling for the construction of a monument. The EDM has secured all party support.
Over 130,000 Sikh troops fought in Belgium and France during World War One. More than one quarter of those soldiers died.
Commenting, Tom Brake MP said: “It is vital we recognise the sacrifices and bravery of Sikh soldiers who fought for Britain during the First World War.
“A permanent monument in central London is long overdue and would highlight as well as create an important symbol of the sacrifices the Sikh community made in the Great War.”
Although Sikhs only made up only two per cent of the population of India, they formed twenty per cent of the Indian Army and saw active service from the Somme to Gallipoli.
This comes in the wake of the annual Sikh moral leadership and development conference, that will take place between 16 - 18 October 2015 at The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Amport House, near Andover, Hampshire. The aim of the conference is to promote and foster spiritual and moral values from a faith perspective and thus contribute to professional and personal development.
The Civilian Chaplains to the Military (CCM) serve the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities in the Armed Forces. Due to the singleton nature of their posts coupled with the geographical spread of each group of faith adherents the MOD facilitates gatherings once a year to: allow individuals the opportunity to develop and enhance their moral leadership qualities; to engage with and learn from other members of their faith community and to assist with the development of MOD policy.
Whilst these annual conferences are organised primarily for adherents of each faith, attendance is open across the Armed Forces for any Regular and Reserve personnel that might wish to attend all or part of the conference for professional purposes.
