South Asian WWII Veterans Honoured at London Commemoration

A commemoration event held in London on September 10, 2023, honoured the sacrifices of two South Asian veterans from the Second World War. The ceremony paid tribute to Havildar Major Rajindar Singh Dhatt MBE and Sergeant Mohammad Hussain, both of whom passed away this year. The event was organised by British Future and Eastern Eye, with support from the Royal British Legion.

The gathering also marked the launch of a significant initiative called My Family Legacy, aimed at raising awareness of South Asian contributions during the world wars while preserving family stories for future generations. Notably, over 2.5 million individuals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka formed the largest volunteer army in history during the Second World War.

Research conducted by Focaldata, released alongside the event, revealed that only half of the UK public, and fewer than six in ten British Asians, are aware that Indian soldiers served in the conflict.

Remembering Their Contributions

Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, emphasised the importance of acknowledging the contributions of South Asian soldiers. He stated, “We should never forget what we all owe to those who won the Second World War against fascism. South Asian soldiers were the largest volunteer army in history. Ensuring that their enormous contribution is fully recognised in our national story remains important work in progress.” The My Family Legacy project aims to assist individuals in documenting and sharing the stories of courage and service from these veterans.

Gail Walters, Director of Network Engagement at the Royal British Legion, highlighted the significance of honouring South Asian soldiers. She noted, “Honouring the South Asian soldiers who served in Britain’s World Wars is about remembering their bravery and also gives a fuller picture of our shared history. The service and sacrifice of South Asian soldiers are integral to Britain’s national story and helped build the country we are today.”

Amrit Kaur Dhatt, the granddaughter of Havildar Major Dhatt, expressed the necessity of capturing the stories of Commonwealth and ethnic minority soldiers, saying, “It is so important to capture stories… because they were left out of mainstream history.” She pointed out the significant gap in awareness between Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, underscoring the urgency of this historical recognition.

Legacy of Sacrifice

Ejaz Hussain, granddaughter of Sergeant Hussain, stressed the importance of preserving the narratives of the last surviving soldiers. She remarked, “As the last soldiers of the war fade before our eyes, it remains imperative that we capture their stories. We – as a country and a people – are blessed to be here today, enjoying liberty and safety directly because of the sacrifices of those from the greatest generation, of which my grandfather was one.”

Journalist Sangita Myska commented on the significance of honouring South Asian soldiers, stating, “Honouring the service given by South Asian soldiers is vital to understanding the intertwined and complex relationship forged by our forebears with Britain.”

Actor Adil Ray OBE also highlighted the importance of these stories, declaring, “This is the greatest war story that’s never been told. Millions of Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs from India, today’s Pakistan, and Bangladesh fought two world wars, fighting for our freedom. We owe everything to Major Dhatt and Sergeant Hussain and their fellow soldiers. Their history is our history.”

The event served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by South Asian soldiers and the need to acknowledge their vital role in shaping history.