AdminA century-old story of Manta Singh’s valour at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in France has been inspiring British school kids for decades now. Last week, when the world marked the centenary of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission urged Indians to take a minute to remember those who died in […]
A century-old story of Manta Singh’s valour at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in France has been inspiring British school kids for decades now. Last week, when the world marked the centenary of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission urged Indians to take a minute to remember those who died in the war. Among them was Manta Singh who sacrificed his life to save his officer in March 1915.
Manta Singh was born near Jalandhar in 1870. He joined the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, and was one of many Indian soldiers sent to France in 1914. In March 1915, during the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle, Manta Singh rescued a seriously wounded comrade-Captain Henderson-by pushing him to safety in a wheelbarrow, but was himself severely injured while carrying out this rescue. Manta Singh was admitted in the Kitchener Indian Hospital in Brighton. His wounds had become infected with gangrene, and he died from blood poisoning a few weeks later.
Manta Singh’s story is used online, in cemeteries in the UK, at the Neuve Chapelle Memorial in France and in classrooms.
According to CWGC, one of the biggest challenges before them today is to engage a new generation in the First World War. “In our experience, one of the most powerful ways to engage them is to bring to life the individual stories of those taking part in the war. And in terms of learning, we use the story of Manta Singh a great deal with schoolchildren as it is such a powerful story for them and having the living link to his descendants helps to bring the story home,” says Peter Francis, media and marketing manager Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The two families are still in touch.
“Manta Singh’s story, and the story of the other 74,000 Indian servicemen and women we commemorate from WW-I makes history live,” he said.
“India’s contribution during both world wars was vital and its involvement should never be forgotten. Their stories of bravery and sacrifice are both inspirational and sobering and Manta Singh’s sacrifice is a perfect example of that,” he added.
Bond survives time:
Peter Francis, media and marketing manager Commonwealth War Graves Commission says that Manta Singh and the injured man he rescued, Captain Henderson, had become firm friends as well as brothers in arms while he was undergoing treatment. When Manta Singh died, Henderson ensured that Singh’s son, Assa, was taken care of. He encouraged him to join the Sikh Regiment too. Throughout the Second World War, Assa Singh and Henderson’s son, Robert, served together, in France, Italy and North Africa. “To this day, the Singh and Henderson families remain close friends. Assa and Robert have passed away, but their sons, Jaimal and Ian, are in contact,” he shares.
~ Source: Times of India