|
They died so far from home.
Built on the exact spot where
their bodies were cremated.
|
Chattri
Memorial Service June 2004 Photos
view the video archieve
On the 2nd Sunday in June, at 2.00pm,
a half-hour commemorative service will be held at the Chattri
near Patcham, for Sikh and Hindu soldiers who died while in hospitals
in Brighton and Hove during the Great War 1914 - 1918.
Fifty Three bodies were cremated
at the Chattri, their ashes were then taken to be scattered in
the sea.
Nineteen Muslim bodies were taken from Brighton by ambulance to
The Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking for burial. During the 1960s the
bodies were removed to a Military Cemetery in Brookwood, due to
vandalism.
|
|
The 2003 ceremony was attended by
over 200 people including World War II Indian veterans, Ex-Services
men, Brighton and Hove City Mayor, Cllr J Lepper, Brighton and Hove
Chief Executive David Panter, Brighton and Hove MP David Lepper,
together with representatives from the Indian Army, Members of the
Armed Forces, Members of the Police, and local people, to witness
the wreath laying and to hear the last post sounded.
|
|
|
The Chattri bears the following
inscription, in English and Hindi :
"To the memory of, all the Indian
soldiers who gave their lives in the service of their King - Emperor
this monument erected on the site where the Hindus and Sikhs who
died in hospital at Brighton passed through the fire is in grateful
admiration and brotherly affection dedicate" |
2003 wreath laying
at the Chattri |
|
| The Chattri was unveiled
by the Prince of Wales, in 1921.
From 1946 to 1999 the local branch of the Patcham British Legion
has always organised the annual pilgrimage to the Chattri, announced
their inability to now continue the service.
The service is now organised by
Mr. Davinder Dhillon, a local teacher.
|
|
| |
|
|
Brighton and Hove Mayor laying
a wreath in memory to those brave Indian soldiers preparing to defend
and die for our freedom and liberty, fighting side by side with
British soldiers.
In total 12,000 wounded Indian soldiers,
passed through Brighton & Hove Hospital, during the Great War.
|
2003 City Mayor wreath
laying
|
|
| Prayer by the Brighton
and Hove Hindu Elders group, at the Chattri Patcham June 2003.
|
|
|
Street
map to the Chattri Patcham Brighton BN1
1914-1918
- Wounded Indian Troops at the Brighton Pavilion
Two Indian Memorials exists in Brighton
Muslim taken from Brighton
to a Mosque in Woking for burial
more in depth infomation on the Chattri |
