'Every sixth British soldier in WWI was an Indian': COAS General Dalbir Singh

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Tuesday hailed the Indian soldier who participated in World War I, adding that every sixth soldier who owed allegiance to the British Empire in the war was an Indian.

"Out of the 1.4 million who went to war, 74,000 never came back, 67,000 came back wounded and there is no record of those who were psychologically scarred. The war was fought violently from scorching desert of Mesopotamia to China Sea and from frozen plaines of Europe to the jungles of East Africa. The valour of Indian soldiers was recognised in all theatres and they were awarded 11 Victoria Crosses and 9,800 other awards," Gen Singh said at the centenary commemorative exhibition on India's Contribution in World War I.

"Every sixth soldier who fought for the British Empire was an Indian," he added.

General Dalbir Singh further said that the presence of Indian soldiers in Europe and Africa during the war had 'changed the destiny' of many parts of the world.

"Today, we stand proud of our heritage and these men who knew so little of world affairs, yet by the sheer courage, bravely contributed to change destinies of many countries across the world," he said.

In World War I, India contributed a large number of divisions and brigades to the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East theatres of war. Over 10 lakh troops served the British Empire overseas in the course of the war.