Britain has a proud tradition of valiant armed forces and a capable military which has managed to defend these isles effectively for hundreds of years. British Military achievement is well known throughout the world and the bravery and versatility of its soldiers, seamen and airmen is unquestioned and forever stamped in history.
Today as we look at the VE Day Celebrations there is an abundance of information in the media that provides an insight into what life would have been like in those troubled times. It is right that we remember them, the fallen, and the living whose numbers dwindle with every passing year. To them we owe our freedom as they fought for this land and often lost their lives so that we might remain a free country.
However, whilst each country has a right to blow its own trumpet and remember the heroic gestures, hardships and victories that made this nation what it is today, we should also remember the massive sacrifice given by others from nations further afield.
The Sikhs sacrificed a great deal for this country. During the Anglo-Sikh wars of 1845 ? 1849 the British had been so impressed by the Khalsa Army they decided to enlist many battalions of Sikh forces. The former Sikh enemy became so loyal that in 1857 when most of the Indian Army revolted, the Sikhs remained totally supportive and fought side by side with the British Army. Subsequently, the Punjab became the recruiting ground for the British. This staunch and loyal Sikh support was to show itself again during the great wars.
During the First World War Sikhs joined the ranks of the British Army in great numbers. They fought in the trenches of Germany and at Gallipoli where thousands of Sikhs fought and died. The British Indian Army was made of nearly 20% Sikhs, despite the fact that Sikhs account for only 2% of the population in India.
During the Second World War this action was repeated. Even though there was now a quest for Indian Independence the British Indian Army grew from 189,000 at the start of the war to over 2.5 million through voluntary recruitment and a large proportion of those were Sikh. At no other time in history has a foreign army this large been voluntarily mobilised to fight for a foreign land as if it were their own country. The significance of this should not be underestimated.
In 1944, Sikh Soldiers halted the advance of the Japanese in Burma and prevented them from invading India. Four VC's were awarded in this campaign.
As the British Empire came to a close many Sikhs were encouraged to settle in the UK. Their loyalty, hard work ethics and historic connection with the British should be remembered. Many Sikh families in Birmingham are direct descendents of those who put so much into this country.
Of course, there were also millions of Russians who died in the Second World War. One might argue that the Russians won the war and that without them things would have been significantly different. Then of course there are the 100,000 Gurkhas who fought in World War I and the 40 battalions of Gurkhas in the Second World War. What of the Polish who valiantly fought during the Battle of Britain and those from other nations who out of Patriotism and loyalty, came from oversees to enlist, and often die, in order that we might enjoy our freedom today.
http://www.birminghamuk.com the Community Website where everyone is welcome. Please drop by sometime.
house refresh service Morton Grove ..Most politicians are completely out to lunch and totally Machiavellian... Read More
Most modern day media stories containing fear, controversy and chaos... Read More
If slavery has not worked well, then cloning if it... Read More
As more and more cities and states set up websites... Read More
Non-lethal Goo Concepts have been tossed around by many war... Read More
The Presidents Before Washington:From the moment that the first Declaration... Read More
I'm starting to feel squeezed by all the political correctness... Read More
Last Summer the Federal Trade Commission came out with a... Read More
We need a government that can be as responsive to... Read More
Originally published in 1958, "The Ugly American" (Lederer & Burdick)... Read More
An American soldier is taken behind enemy lines and brainwashed... Read More
We all know Elliot Spitzer is going to run for... Read More
Prison guards and corrections professionals are hard at work insuring... Read More
As you know Delta Airlines is close to bankruptcy. Their... Read More
America must implement a policy on Election Reform that is... Read More
Which companies are most affected by fuel? Who really bears... Read More
In Belarus parliament is going to struggle with degeneration of... Read More
The great leader and Senator from New York and wife... Read More
With the recent threats from Bin Laden and Al Queda... Read More
With the world's largest oil and natural gas reserves, second... Read More
Well, another election has come and gone in the US... Read More
Regarding the de-regulation of energy, this is not such a... Read More
In years past California Mutual Assistance Program and emergency response... Read More
It is amazing how the Federal Trade Commission has destroyed... Read More
Websites designed to help people overcome their gambling addictions have... Read More
cleaning service near Mundelein ..Many Americans feel betrayed by their government, our government. I... Read More
"The only time I open my mouth is when I... Read More
In typical bureaucratese, the pensive EBRD analyst ventures with the... Read More
Believe it or not, every theatre, church, or Britney Spears... Read More
The Iranian elections are certainly interesting indeed. The ruling party... Read More
The plight of whistleblowers ? those employees who sound the... Read More
As you know Delta Airlines is close to bankruptcy. Their... Read More
Yes, Bush is two-faced. The two sides of the faces... Read More
This brings to our consciousness, issues concerning the ever rising... Read More
The US Homeland Security is worried about Hydrofoil or Skimmer... Read More
I. OVERVIEWIn the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks... Read More
A few hours ago, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, the... Read More
I have witnessed a new era of security in the... Read More
Recently the CIA staged a practice simulation of a cyber... Read More
In the future when we decide to help nations vote... Read More
It appears we are getting a little bit of Sun... Read More
The process of researching this topic has been an interesting... Read More
Everyone knows the United States Government often falls down in... Read More
WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THE EVER-INCREASING PRICE OF... Read More
The blogosphere has been jumping around the story like crazy... Read More
Recently the FTC, Federal Trade Commission put forth a report... Read More
Bill Cosby got it wrong. His many speeches regarding the... Read More
Since the United States Government is promoting the whistle blower... Read More
As we watch fewer Americans voting it is no wonder... Read More
You have probably heard of the Sarbaines Oxley Law (SOX)... Read More
Political |