| Sikhs have always been known as great warriors. | | | | most of the Indian Army revolted, the Sikhs remained |
| During the two World Wars over 80,000 Sikhs gave | | | | totally supportive and fought side by side with the |
| their lives for the allied cause.Whilst Birmingham | | | | British Army. Subsequently, the Punjab became the |
| celebrates VE Day we could do well to remember | | | | recruiting ground for the British. This staunch and loyal |
| this. Often unforgotten, there are many Sikhs who | | | | Sikh support was to show itself again during the great |
| have been awarded the Victoria Cross. | | | | wars. |
| Britain has a proud tradition of valiant armed forces | | | | During the First World War Sikhs joined the ranks of |
| and a capable military which has managed to defend | | | | the British Army in great numbers. They fought in the |
| these isles effectively for hundreds of years. British | | | | trenches of Germany and at Gallipoli where thousands |
| Military achievement is well known throughout the | | | | of Sikhs fought and died. The British Indian Army was |
| world and the bravery and versatility of its soldiers, | | | | made of nearly 20% Sikhs, despite the fact that Sikhs |
| seamen and airmen is unquestioned and forever | | | | account for only 2% of the population in India. |
| stamped in history. | | | | During the Second World War this action was |
| Today as we look at the VE Day Celebrations there | | | | repeated. Even though there was now a quest for |
| is an abundance of information in the media that | | | | Indian Independence the British Indian Army grew from |
| provides an insight into what life would have been like | | | | 189,000 at the start of the war to over 2.5 million |
| in those troubled times. It is right that we remember | | | | through voluntary recruitment and a large proportion of |
| them, the fallen, and the living whose numbers dwindle | | | | those were Sikh. At no other time in history has a |
| with every passing year. To them we owe our | | | | foreign army this large been voluntarily mobilised to |
| freedom as they fought for this land and often lost | | | | fight for a foreign land as if it were their own country. |
| their lives so that we might remain a free country. | | | | The significance of this should not be underestimated. |
| However, whilst each country has a right to blow its | | | | In 1944, Sikh Soldiers halted the advance of the |
| own trumpet and remember the heroic gestures, | | | | Japanese in Burma and prevented them from invading |
| hardships and victories that made this nation what it is | | | | India. Four VC's were awarded in this campaign. |
| today, we should also remember the massive sacrifice | | | | As the British Empire came to a close many Sikhs |
| given by others from nations further afield. | | | | were encouraged to settle in the UK. Their loyalty, hard |
| The Sikhs sacrificed a great deal for this country. | | | | work ethics and historic connection with the British |
| During the Anglo-Sikh wars of 1845 - 1849 the British | | | | should be remembered. Many Sikh families in |
| had been so impressed by the Khalsa Army they | | | | Birmingham are direct descendents of those who put |
| decided to enlist many battalions of Sikh forces. The | | | | so much into this country. |
| former Sikh enemy became so loyal that in 1857 when | | | | |