Hundreds of people attended a memorial service on the South Downs just north of Patcham yesterday (Sunday 9 June) to remember the war dead of Undivided India.
More than 1.5 million soldiers from the sub-continent came to fight in the First World War and 12,000 of those who were injured were treated in Brighton.
They convalesced in temporary hospitals set up at sites such as York Place School, the Dome, the Corn Exchange and the Royal Pavilion.
Not all survived – and the names of 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers were etched on the Chattri memorial to honour those who were cremated there. A further 21 Muslims were buried in Woking, Surrey.
The annual memorial service at the Chattri monument honours all those from Undivided India who gave their lives for Britain and the Empire in wartime.
The service brought together various parts of the British and Indian armed forces, along with the Royal British Legion, other veterans’ organisations and local cadet units.
The mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, was among those to lay a wreath.
The leader and members of Brighton and Hove City Council were joined by representatives of other councils, including Crawley and Hounslow and other civic leaders.
The service included prayers, songs and tributes to those who answered the call from the land that has become modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Burma.
Yesterday, council leader Bella Sankey tweeted: “A beautiful service at our Chattri this afternoon to commemorate the soldiers of Undivided India and wider Commonwealth who served in both world wars.
“Hundreds were nursed in Brighton. Honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council. We will remember them.”
A beautiful service at our Chattri this afternoon to commemorate the soldiers of Undivided India & wider Commonwealth who served in both world wars. Hundreds were nursed in #Brighton.
Honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of @BrightonHoveCC #WeWillRememberThem. pic.twitter.com/GSaaxLSI4o
— Bella Sankey (@BellaSankey) June 9, 2024
Bhasvic was also used to nurse soldiers.
WHEN WE GAVE INDIA HER INDEPENDENCE WHICH BIRDBRAIN HAD THE BRAINWAVE OF DIVIDING IT INTO INDIA AND PAKISTAN WHO HAVE BEEN AT EACH OTHER’S THROATS EVER SINCE ? WHAT RIGHT DID WE BRITISH HAVE TO DO THAT ? WHY DIDN’T WE JUST LEAVE WE PARTITIONED IRELAND IN 1921 AND KEPT THE 6 COUNTIES DIDN’T ANYONE THINK THAT MIGHT CREATE PROBLEMS LATER WE ALWAYS HAVE TO POKE OUR NOSES IN THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF BRITISH INDIA WHO HELPED US IN TWO WORLD WARS
Er, that’s what Gandhi and Nehru wanted. And do learn how the caps lock works 🤣