Search for the forgotten soldiers

Kyt · Sep 3, 2008

Search for the forgotten soldiers

WITH three comrades creeping silently behind him, Captain Fazal Dad Khan cut through the Burmese jungle towards a Japanese outpost during the Second World War.

As a forward observation officer in the 20th Indian Division, it was Capt Khan's job to scout ahead of his regiment and find targets for the artillery, radioing instructions back to them.

But on this occasion, Capt Khan realised that he and his comrades were being surrounded by Japanese forces. He had to make a split-second decision – hide, surrender or attack.

Armed with only his rifle, a few hand grenades and his own courage, Capt Khan led an attack on the Japanese forces.

After almost a day of hand-to-hand fighting, the regiment forced the retreat of the Japanese soldiers.
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Capt Khan, who moved to Derby from Pakistan in 1994, was rewarded for his bravery with the Military Cross – the second highest medal of distinction for gallantry on the battlefield.

He is one of many black and Asian servicemen who made a great contribution to the war effort –but very few are present at Remembrance Day services.

The British Army was bolstered in the Second World War by 100,000 Sikhs. Of them, more than 83,000 lost their lives fighting in the trenches from the Western Front to the jungles of Burma.

Many were awarded medals for gallantry, including several Victoria Crosses, but their sacrifices often went unrecognised.

That is why the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Barbara Jackson, is calling on veterans to come forward and for their families to search through their memorabilia to uncover stories of sacrifice and exceptional service.

Mr Khan's son, Ajmal, was full of praise for the Mayor's efforts.

He said: "I think it is good to honour all people at the Remembrance Day service. I would be happy to go with my father if he was well enough and would like to see more people at the ceremony as well. Health issues in the past have meant he could not attend."

Ms Jackson hopes appealing for veterans and their families to come forward and tell their stories will encourage more to attend this year's Remembrance Sunday service, held at the memorial in the Market Place in November.

Ms Jackson said: "I have been impressed by the increasing numbers of our citizens attending Remembrance Day celebrations in recent years but, perhaps inevitably, the number of veterans on parade has fallen as the wartime generation grows ever older.

"For many years, though, there has been a complete absence of veterans from our black and Asian communities, though there must be a number living in Derby.

"Many will have sadly passed away, but I am calling on their children and grandchildren to look out service records, medals and other mementos so that we can create an exhibition to persuade yet more people to come forward."

The Mayor's plans were inspired by discussions with Councillor Ranjit Banwait, who has a keen interest in history.

Mr Banwait will put a motion forward at the council meeting on September 10, calling on the Mayor's office to work in partnership with the British Legion and community groups to raise awareness of the contribution of black and Asian veterans and invite them to participate in this year's and future Remembrance services.

Mr Banwait said: "Remembrance activity has been boosted in recent years with the introduction of Merchant Navy Day, Veterans' Day and the 11.11.11 campaign, but many people still do not realise the massive contribution made to the Allied effort by soldiers from so many other cultures."

In the coming months, staff from the Mayor's office hope that the Indian, Pakistan and West Indian community centres will help them appeal for information.

They will also work in partnership with the Black History Month Project Group, which is bringing the Imperial War Museum's "Afrikan Heroes" exhibition to Derby this autumn.

Geoff Noble, diversity officer at Derby Racial Equality Council, said he was delighted with the mayoral initiative.

"If anyone has a relative whose life they would like to commemorate, I'd be delighted to hear from them."

Anyone with information should call the racial equality council on Derby 372428.
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