From the Land of the Five Rivers to the Nile Delta
During World War One Sikh soldiers found themselves in Egypt, a place renowned much like their own ancestral homeland of Punjab as one of the 'cradles of civilisation'. Both rose due to the generosity of the mighty rivers that fed the plains surrounding them, so giving rise to perfect conditions for agriculture and the development of organised human settlements.
One man who traversed these two lands, leaving indelible marks upon both, was Alexander the Great or 'Sikander', as he is known to this day in Punjab. One of the places he visited in Egypt was Heliopolis, just north of modern Cairo. He found it to be a great seat of learning and of worship of the sun god, Ra. This week's Citizen Historian story features a family from Southall who would visit it exactly 2,250 years later on their own remarkable journey of discovery.
Harnam Singh: from Punjab plains to the flood plains of Egypt
This week we join the Gill family in remembering their WW1 ancestor Harnam Singh on his 98th death anniversary on 14 August 2016. Alexander the Great was only 24 when he went to Heliopolis in 332 BCE. Harnam Singh was probably of a similarly young age (no date of birth is known) when he was shot dead by sniper fire two and a quarter millennia later at the same place.
Determined to uncover their ancestor's story but armed only with two basic details - his name (Harnam, which appears in WW1 Sikh casualty records more frequently than any other) and place of birth - the Gill family were able to uncover a great deal. The journey began with Harnam Singh's birth in a village close to the banks of the Satluj, one of the five rivers from which the Punjab derives its name, and ended with his demise in the delta of the mighty Nile.
Their efforts are an exemplary example of a family undertaking a quest to discover their forefather's story - culminating in paying homage to him by visiting the site of his death. The story also highlights the conflicted nature of history as his son refused land granted by the British upon his death due to his allegiance to the independence struggle.
You can find out more about Harnam Singh's story, including images of the Heliopolis monument that includes his name and the War Diary entry that speaks of the daredevil rescue of his body by his fellow soldier, here.
Appreciating our efforts to record his ancestor's story, grandson Kishen Singh Gill said:
"I would like to thank you and your colleagues in doing a tremendous job. It is truly a labour of love and the family is moved by the fact that you included our ancestors story in the website. It means a lot to us.
"I would like to thank all of you once again for the hard work you have all put in to raise awareness of the Sikhs prominent role and sacrifice in the world wars. The website has been put together in such a way, I cannot think of anyone who would not take away from it a great sense of satisfaction."
The Sikh Roll of Honour: 100 Years Ago This Week
This week's roll of honour of those who died exactly 100 years ago includes men from a variety of regiments and roles in the Indian Army. From Drivers to Daffadars and even Artisans they served and died in France, Kenya, Iraq as well as on the home front in India.
But who were these men? What is their story? Help us find out by becoming a Citizen Historian and following our step-by-step getting started guide on how to research a WW1 Sikh soldier.
Do you have a personal link to any of them? Check the list below - do you recognise your village? If yes, then could it be that the soldier is connected to you, even possibly your WW1 ancestor?
Click on a name below and you'll be taken to their Soldier Record where, to the bottom-right, you'll see the 'Adopt Soldier' button - click on this to begin your journey as a Citizen Historian, helping to create a lasting memorial and legacy to the fallen.
Sikh Roll of Honour week commencing Monday 8 August:
Monday, 08 August 2016- Gokal Singh • born in the village of Jaso Mazra, Nawashahr, Jalandhar • Driver in the 1st King George's Own Sappers and Miners • died in Iraq
- Bir Singh • born in the village of Malehr, Palampur, Kangra • Jemadar in the 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force) • died in India
- Channan Singh • born in the village of Saido, Moga, Ferozepore • Sepoy in the 62nd Punjabis • died in Iraq
- Durga Singh • born in the village of Tiana, Palampur, Kangra • Daffadar in the 12th Indian Cavalry • died in Iraq
- Baga Singh • born in the village of Dhillon, Barnala • Sepoy in the 35th Sikhs • died in Iraq
Tuesday, 09 August 2016
- Bhajjan Singh • born in the village of Chime, Sunam, Patiala • Sepoy in the 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs • died in Iraq
- Balkhshn Singh • born in the village of Kosli, Jhajjar, Rohtak • Sepoy in the 98th Indian Infantry • died in Kenya
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
- Dall Singh • born in the village of Balleon, Samrala, Ludhiana • Sowar in the 7th Hariana Lancers • died in France
- Kehar Singh • born in the village of Dhandowal, Nakodar, Jalandhar • Sepoy in the 24th Punjabis • died in Iraq
Friday, 12 August 2016
- Man Singh • born in the village of Dubheran, Kahuta, Rawalpindi • Driver in the Royal Garrison Artillery, Indian Army • died in India
- Prem Singh • born in the village of Janauri, Hoshiarpur • Havildar in the 38th Dogras • died in Iraq
Saturday, 13 August 2016
- Prem Singh • born in the village of Janauri, Hoshiarpur • Havildar in the Indian Signal Corps • died in Kenya
Sunday, 14 August 2016
- Sher Singh • born in the village of Bhehuri, Amritsar • Artisan in the Indian Labour Corps • died in Iraq
- Chur Singh • born in the village of Chapra, Gurdaspur • Sepoy in the 48th Indian Pioneers • died in Iraq
The Sikhs of World War One - With Your Help They WILL Be Remembered
‘What kept me going was the courage of my men’ - John Smyth
In the mud and blood of the trenches of the Western Front a young English officer of the 14th Ludhiana Sikhs was sent on a suicidal mission. His story and that of his ten Sikh 'Supermen', as they were described by the press at the time, is the subject of one of our short films available to view now via the Empire, Faith & War Multimedia section.
The moving tale includes Smyth recalling years later the terrible day in May 1915 that he embarked on his seemingly doomed attempt to traverse No Man’s Land with a band of fearless Sikh soldiers.
Elsewhere in the Education Zone you'll find Kid's Activities section of fun and easy ways for children to better understand, and connect with, the First World War. For example check out our Make a War Medal: ideal for you and your youngsters during the long summer break.
And take a look around elsewhere on www.empirefaithwar.com and you'll find a host of illuminating and educational resources including more incredible stories families have shared with us about their ancestors, audio interviews with men like the first Sikh fighter pilot, education packs for schools, archive and new films, and more recordings from our illustrated talks by international experts from our summer 2014 exhibition and so much more.
Media Roundup
If you missed it the 'Empire, Faith & War' website was the subject of a major in-depth piece in the Times newspaper last week. The extensive article looked at the role of Sikhs and their religious requirements during WW1, drawing heavily upon our research. It also name-checked our lead historian Parmjit Singh who told reporter Melissa van der Klugt about our project's work with families like yours in order to collect and share this precious history.
Elsewhere our innovative Soldier Map, using Google Maps technology to literally map the Sikhs of WW1 was the subject of a blog by Peter Wall, Distinguished Professor and Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
You can check out more EFW media highlights from the past two years, including some great radio and TV coverage, here.
And don't forget to keep up to date with our regular updates and your chance to join in the conversation on Facebook & Twitter.
Till next time
The EFW Team
The Sikhs of World War One: With Your Help They Will Be Remembered.
Picture Credits:
1. Alexander fighting Persian king Darius III. From Alexander Mosaic of Pompeii, Naples, Naples National Archaeological Museum.
2. Route of the Macedonian army of Alexander in 334 BC as it entered Asia from Europe (Credit: from an online course in European history from ancient times to the early modern era offered by Dr. E.L. Skip Knox through Boise State University).
3. EFW 'They Will Be Remembered' logo, Brunei Gallery 2014 (Credit: Harbakhsh Grewal).
4. Lieutenant John Smyth VC with men of the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs in their billets in the village of Le Sart, Flanders. Photographed by Charles Hilton DeWitt Girdwood, 24 July 1915 (Credit: British Library, Photo 24/76).
5. The Times newspaper, Saturday 30 July 2016 (Credit: Harbakhsh Grewal).
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Related Articles:
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/one-website-chronicling-sikh-contribution-wwi
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/turkish-connection
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/breaking-glass-ceiling-then-and-now