Statue honouring Sikh soldiers who fought for Britain to be installed in UK

A 10ft-high bronze statue of a Sikh soldier honouring the community's "unmeasurable" contribution during the First World War will be installed in the UK's West Midlands to commemorate 100 years since the end of the conflict.

The Lions of the Great War monument, which will be installed in November in Smethwick, West Midlands, will honour the South Asian service personnel who fought for Britain, BBC reported.

Sandwell Council called it a "striking tribute" to the community.

The statue, depicting a Sikh serviceman carrying a rifle, will stand on a 6ft granite plinth with inscriptions that name the regiments in which South Asian soldiers served. It will pay tribute to the thousands of troops from India who fought and died for Britain between 1914 and 1918.

More than 83,000 turbaned Sikh soldiers gave their lives and more than 1,00,000 were injured during the two world wars.

President of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, which is covering the cost of the statue, Jatinder Singh said: "These men volunteered to serve and fought to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.

"The memorial will ensure that this part is never forgotten."
"It will be a striking and permanent marker of the richness of our community and that those who have been under-celebrated are finally getting the recognition they deserve."
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling, said: "I am very proud that Smethwick is paying such a striking tribute to the very important role played by South Asian service personnel during times of conflict."