15th 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 15th 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.
Very nicely written and I agree with your sentiments.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that WWII continued beyond VE Day in the far east is frequently overlooked, with the possible exception of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. Thank you for this reminder to those of use with relatives that served out there.
ReplyDeleteI think the help we received during WWII from other nations is often overlooked. I'm pleased to hear there's an exhibition to draw attention to this.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteProof that there is goodness everywhere in the world and we need to be grateful for that.
ReplyDeleteBravo. Excellent post and valuable info for all of us to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteI like this. Next, could someone edit the Royal Navy's exhibit about the North Atlantic run in WWII to acknowledge the Canadian corvettes and destroyers that were a substantial part of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, a timely reminder.
ReplyDeleteMany in Norfolk and Suffolk did not recognise the end of WWII until VJ Day, my parents included, because of so many in the Norfolk and Suffolk Regiments who were captured by the Japanese and worked on the Burma Railway. My father would not buy Japanese projects for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteVery nice tribute
ReplyDeleteThe first sentence of your post says it all.
ReplyDeleteI agree, your first sentence is very powerful. Thank you for this. There are many heroes in the world. They all have my never-ending gratitude and respect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving piece. These folks were truly heroes.
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes to this content and voices like yours in the world. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post- I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. So well written.
ReplyDeleteI'm in my 70's and I don't ever remember moments of silence for either VE Day or VJ Day. What a wonderful exhibit - we in the United States tend to forget the contributions of our allies, especially in recent wars.
ReplyDeleteWell written and poignant. We are indeed our brother’s keeper.
ReplyDeleteSo many unlikely heroes. It sounds like a fascinating exhibit.
ReplyDeleteThere are many unknown heroes among us. Thank you for reminding us of that.
ReplyDeleteWell said and needs to be remembered - those who arrived back in England from the Pacific war found a country with 3 months of peace and no looking back - no one wanted to celebrate their VJ day end of service.
ReplyDeleteThere are things written here that I knew nothing about, thank you.
ReplyDeleteA fine tribute. Thelmax
ReplyDeleteI remember they VEday celebrations and my mother saying it's not over! Eventually my cousin came home from what was then Burma, once it was really over.
ReplyDeleteWell said./written
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you. I note that no mention of VJ Day was made on any media I read or heard. Although at school we always marked VE Day with a two-minute silence, we didn't do the same for VJ Day. That is disgraceful.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for this special reminder of all those involved in the war effort. They deserve our respect and thanks. 'The Forgotten Army' exhibition is such a good idea to keep those stories alive.
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