The National Memorial Arboretum
Exploring some of the memorials with South Asian connections at the year-round centre for Remembrance.
© South Asian Heritage Trust | All Rights Reserved
In the 1930’s, for many young middle-class men from undivided India, a career in the Army was seen as an opportunity for advancement. Even when war broke out and the hostile nature of the climate in Burma and the challenges fighting the Japanese Imperial Army were understood, men still volunteered to serve.
Men such as Lieutenant Mahesh Sharma, a recent university science graduate, recalled his experiences:
After six months of training, and two and a half years total commissioned service, two of us were selected to join 70 (Bengal Sappers and Miners) Field Company, RE. I was the first Indian officer in the Field Company and the only Indian officer in 48 Brigade. It was quite a shock to be holding the standard for India. I could not make a mistake. I was initially in the Sikh platoon, then in the Mussulman platoon and finally the Hindu platoon.
One of my first experiences under fire was at the latter end of 1943; the Japanese were advancing … One company of Gurkhas under Captain Crossfield was supposed to attack a feature called ‘Basha East’. I was in support, I had to blow up the bunkers so the Japanese could not use them again …
Unfortunately, Captain Crossfield was killed instantaneously … along with six of his Gurkhas … There was Captain Crossfield lying dead at my feet. I could still see the bunkers and started towards them, that’s when the Japanese mortaring started, my batman standing beside me was cut in two. One minute later the same officer from Brigade came running, shouting ‘Get back, get back!’ … One of my sappers go hit in the stomach and died the next morning. You can imagine what went through the mind of a young officer not experienced in war. [1][2][3]
[1] M. Sharma (2004) Oral History, Imperial War Museum Sound Archive (Cat No: 28829 – Extracts)
[2] M.Sharma, cited in J. Thompson, Forgotten Voices of Burma (2009), Kindle Version(Location 3914)
[3] Image Ref: IWM – IND2994, IWM (Public Domain)
Exploring some of the memorials with South Asian connections at the year-round centre for Remembrance.
An aviation enthusiast’s special mission to honour a Second World War agent in occupied France.
The Indian Army Memorial Room stands as a tribute to the rich history and enduring spirit of the Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army.
The story behind the tribute to commemorate the service of Sikh members of the Armed Forces.
The first of the Trust’s projects is the South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), which first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year.
SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.
It seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.
© South Asian Heritage Trust | All Rights Reserved
