The event was hosted by the Memorial Gates Council in partnership with The Royal British Legion. The Right Reverend Saju Muthulaly, Bishop of Loughborough, led the prayers…reports Asian Lite News
The commemoration for service men and women from the Commonwealth who served with the Allied Forces during the First and Second World Wars was held today at the Memorial Gates in central London.
This year the ceremony also remembered Baroness Shreela Flather who inspired the project and helped found the Gates which stand on Constitution Hill just by Buckingham Palace.
The annual wreath laying ceremony was attended by significant individuals including High Commissioners, Foreign Ministers, Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth. The event was hosted by the Memorial Gates Council in partnership with The Royal British Legion. The Right Reverend Saju Muthulaly, Bishop of Loughborough, led the prayers.
This year, the 80th anniversary of the Battles of Kohima and Imphal, we specifically remembered those who served in the Fourteenth Army. At Kohima and Imphal, and across South Asia, this polyglot Fourteenth Army turned the tide of war. It was an Army that spoke 40 languages, contained Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and many other religions. Of its thirteen divisions eight were Indian Army, three were African, and only two were wholly British.
The Fourteenth Army helped play a part in shaping today’s multi-cultural Britain, thanks to the collaboration of the men and women from so many religions, races, and nations. It created ties that span continents, nations, people and religions.
Chief guest, Mark William Rawdon Slim, 3rd Viscount Slim (and Grandson of Field Marshal Bill Slim – Commander 14th Army), said: “The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Burma Campaign. If the battle had been lost, 14th Army would have been stranded at Imphal with its supplies cut off and the Japanese would have taken control of India. Due to the great bravery and resilience of the Commonwealth soldiers from which 14th Army was formed, the ensuing Allied victories at Kohima and Imphal in 1944 eventually led to the biggest land defeat in Japan’s history in 1945.
Over twenty different nations made up 14th Army which at its peak numbered 1.3 million personnel, the largest British led campaign of World War 2. It was a truly multi-cultural force that operated in total unity to achieve a great victory. We should all be very proud of and grateful for its achievements.
The Burma Campaign is an excellent example of the huge contribution made by volunteers from Commonwealth countries during the two World Wars. 14th Army consisted of 700,000 troops from the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lank) and over 100,000 from West and East Africa. In total, five million men and women from Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent volunteered to serve with the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars. The Memorial Gates stand as a monument to reflect not just the tremendous role these volunteers played, but also the gratitude Britain holds for their vital contribution in its hour of need.”
Lord Bilimoria CBE DL, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council, said: “I am proud to be Chairman of the Council of the Memorial Gates. The Memorial Gates Ceremony on Commonwealth Day commemorates the service and sacrifice of the five million volunteers from South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean in the First and Second World Wars.
This year we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the battles of Imphal and Kohima. These battles witnessed the most extraordinary bravery, and I am very proud that my late father Lieutenant General Bilimoria’s battalion, the second/5th Ghurka Rifles (Frontier Force) were awarded two out of the 5 Victoria crosses at the Battle of Imphal, Subedar Netrabahadur Thapa (post) and Naik Agansing Rai VC, who I was privileged to know since birth.
The sacrifice and bravery of those who fought in the battles of Imphal and Kohima, will be an inspiration to us all forever.
Marking the 75th anniversary alongside the Ceremony provides an opportunity to commemorate and remember, as we continually do on Commonwealth Day, and through the activities of the Memorial Gates Council, the significant contribution that those from around the Commonwealth and world have made to the success of our great nation.”
Secretary General of the Commonwealth Baroness Scotland said: “As we celebrate Commonwealth Day in an increasingly unstable world, we would do well to remember the many Commonwealth citizens whose lives were lost in the pursuit of peace.”
The Royal British Legion’s Director of Remembrance, Philippa Rawlinson said: “The RBL is proud to continue supporting this ceremony at the Memorial Gates to pay tribute to the five million men and women from the Indian sub-continent, Nepal, Africa and the Caribbean who served during the First and Second World Wars, helping to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
This year we mark the 80th anniversaries of momentous battles and turning points of the Second World War. Today’s service remembers in particular those who served in the Fourteenth Army at the battles of Imphal and Kohima in 1944. A truly multinational force, their victory was a turning point in the war in the east and key in the Allied liberation of Burma.
The Gates also recognise the major contribution of these men and women, and their descendants, to the rich diversity of British society and today’s event highlights the vital contribution of people from across all the Commonwealth who stood together in the face of global conflict.”
This year we also honour and pay our respects to Baroness Flather, the Life President and founder of the Council. She sadly passed away on 6th of February 2024. She was the single person who inspired the concept of a lasting memorial to all those from the former Empire, Commonwealth and Nepal who sacrificed their lives in the’ two World Wars.