OBE awarded to man who set up Sikh soldier memorial

Captain Jay Singh-Sohal, who initiated a memorial honoring Sikh soldiers from World War One, has been awarded an OBE. He received the recognition for his dedication to commemorating Commonwealth servicemen who fought for Great Britain.

The 42-year-old from Sutton Coldfield created the Sikh Memorial located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. He explained that the monument aims to encourage public service within broader communities, as he was presented with the award at St James's Palace by the Princess Royal.

"It's been an incredible day and an amazing experience," Capt Singh-Sohal shared, expressing his happiness during the ceremony. Earlier this year, he met Princess Anne in Cape Town and was pleased to reconnect with her.

Capt Singh-Sohal hopes the memorial will spark greater interest in the historical contributions of Sikhs in military service. The statue honors the 130,000 Sikh soldiers who participated in the war, with over 150 supporters contributing more than 22,000 to fund its creation.

Despite comprising only 1% of Indias population at the time, Sikhs made up 20% of the British Indian Army in action. The memorial, established in 2015, ensures a lasting Sikh representation at the National Memorial Arboretum.

"We hope it will inspire people to learn more about Sikh service historically and encourage public service in todays communities," Capt Singh-Sohal added.

The national WW1 Sikh Memorial continues to stand as a tribute to the bravery and dedication of the 130,000 Sikh soldiers who served during the conflict.

Author: Gavin Porter