A proposed war memorial dedicated to Sikh soldiers who served in the British Indian Army is set to be established in a park located in west London.
The initiative, which may require up to £2 million in private funding, has reportedly been put forward by a Conservative peer and is intended to be situated in the Southall Manor House Grounds.
Previously, Ealing Council had given preliminary approval for a memorial in Southall to honor Sikh soldiers. However, the applicant has since revised the proposal, relocating it to Manor House Grounds to better integrate with existing commemorative elements within the park.
Historically, over 83,000 Sikh soldiers lost their lives while fighting for the British Empire during World War I and World War II.
The British Sikh Association, led by Lord Rami Ranger, a Conservative member of the House of Lords, is listed as the applicant for the memorial, indicating that he is the principal commissioner for the project.
If the proposal receives approval, construction is anticipated to commence this summer, with completion expected by September 2026.
The memorial will feature a bronze statue of a Sikh soldier, standing at 5 feet 9 inches (1.8 meters), mounted on a padstone and surrounded by three steps.
Inscribed on the stone will be a tribute to the „Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army who fought in the two World Wars,“ as credited to the Sikh Soldier Organisation.
Additionally, the memorial will commemorate the Battle of Saragarhi, a significant event in military history, where 21 Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army perished while defending a British army post against a large force of Afghan tribesmen in 1897.
The consultation period for the plans will remain open until April 28.
Bildquelle: Foto von Donna White auf Unsplash
