15th August

 

15^th August

It is possible to hold different beliefs and honour others who do not share them. It is called respect.

  Vallabhdas Suchak was a Hindu, and one of 2.5 million South Asian troops who served in the Second World War. He found a young comrade dying on a dusty road and offered him water to ease his pain. The young man refused it, saying that it was Ramadan and he did not want to break his fast. The Hindu man tried to persuade him and eventually promised that he would fast in his stead, so the dying Muslim soldier took the water. For the rest of his life, Vallabhdas Suchak honoured his promise to the young man, and observed Ramadan every year.

As a security guard, working in Shepherds Bush, London, after fleeing Idi Amin’s genocidal regime in Uganda, he never spoke of his military service. Offered benefits at Immigration, he refused them. When the officer interviewing him read his papers and realised the man he was, he went across to shake his hand and thank him for his service.

Mohammed Sharif was born in what is now Pakistan. During the war he was speared with a poison arrow while fighting the Japanese. Subedar Dost Mohammad served in the Indian Army Medical Corps and was captured by Japanese soldiers. He and five fellow soldiers were lined up to be executed. Subedar Dost Mohammad fell at the fifth shot, but did not die, managing to feign death.

These are just some of the many stories that the ‘Forgotten Army’ exhibition has been designed to draw attention to, to emphasise the immense support given by South Asian troops to the war effort. It has been organised by the Royal British Legion, whose spokesman said, ‘Victory in the Second World War would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of Allied forces from across the Commonwealth and beyond, whose service helped shape modern Britain.’

Saturday 15^th August is VJ (Victory over Japan) Day. On 15th August 1945 Emperor Hirohito of Japan broadcast on the radio to announce acceptance of Allied surrender terms. Since then, the day has been marked by a two-minute silence at noon to remember all those who served in the Far East during the Second World War.

South Asian troops were a vital part of the Allied army and deserve their honours. Their descendants have earned their place in our land and our thanks.