Jay Singh-Sohal

A special Langar – Sikh community meal – took place on Saturday to remember Sikh volunteers who lost their lives during the two World Wars – find out more here via Solihull Borough Council website: – https://loom.ly/r0BDlyI

Sikh members of the British Armed Forces joined members of the Royal British Legion, Councillor Ian Courts and officers from Solihull Council at a special Sikh community meal (Langar) on Saturday hosted at the council’s Civic Suite. The event paid tribute to the 1.5 million Sikh volunteers in the Indian Army who fought alongside the British military during the two World Wars and honoured the 83,000 soldiers who gave their lives during the conflicts.

Food was prepared and served by volunteers from Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Balsall Heath, Birmingham  – the oldest Sikh temple in the West Midlands. During the event Captain Jay Singh Sohal VR presented Cllr Ian Courts with a limited-edition print by Shropshire artist Lisa Pitchford of the Sikh soldier monument at the National Arboretum. The Royal British Legion (RBL) also presented certificates of appreciation to Gobind Singh Gurdwara and Solihull Council.

Captain Jay Singh-Sohal VR, Chairman of the WW1 Sikh Memorial charity and trustee of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, delivered a presentation about the shared history of Sikhs and the British. He spoke about the founding principles of the Sikh faith, the vital role Sikh soldiers played during the Wars and the legacy of Sikh military service which continues in the Armed Forces to this day. 

Jay said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to share the story of the Sikh military contribution to Great Britain, and I thank everyone at Solihull Council and Elaine Butler from the Royal British Legion for organising a fantastic event which has  deepened connections between diverse communities living in the borough. It’s a legacy that lives on with serving Sikhs, and I know for myself the way in which the heroic yet selfless service of our forebears and veterans continue to inspire us to undertake great deeds today.  My hope is the story of the Sikh soldier finds new audiences who’ll appreciate the role my community has played and continues to play in defence of our country.”Pictured: Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal presenting Solihull Council leader Ian Courts with a limited-edition print of a drawing of the Sikh soldier monument at the National Arboretum by Shropshire artist Lisa Pitchford.