A request from the local temple resulted in the British Army taking part in Vaisakhi celebrations in Derby.

Soldiers joined the Sikhs’ founding anniversary and new year procession through the city on Sunday April 19.

Army spokesman Lt.Col. David Hollas said that the Sikh community had wanted to commemorate historic ties with the Army.

He told BBC News that the Sikhs had a very strong military tradition. He wanted to reactivate the sense of a shared history – to say to British Sikhs: “We’re your Army and let’s continue the journey together.”

City Councillor Ranjit Banwait, who helped arrange the Army’s attendance, said that in the Second World War Sikhs fought bravely with the British Eighth Army in North Africa and Italy. They also experienced the terrible conditions of the trenches in the First World War alongside British comrades.

The Army’s presence in the procession – comprising 30 soldiers including a colonel and three majors – celebrated old friendships and forged new ones, he said.

Representatives of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Princes Street, Derby, initiated the invitation to the soldiers.

Around 12,000 people witnessed the parade.

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

About Mann Matharu

Mann Matharu is the Chief Editor and Founder of Sikhs Online. He is responsible for the research into Sikh related stories and marketing of the site.

• Meet The Woman Behind London Finance Solutions - October 15, 2017
• 10 Oct 2017 World Mental Health Day Awareness and Support are Both Key - October 10, 2017
• India: Milkha Singh Wax Work Unveiled in Madame Tussauds - October 5, 2017
• UK: Bhai Sewa Singh Mandla OBE Passes Away - October 7, 2017
• Canada: Jagmeet Singh becomes leader of NDP - October 2, 2017
• UK MP Tanmanjeet Dhesi calls for direct flights between Amritsar – UK - September 27, 2017
• Lifetime Achievement Award for Lord Indarjit Singh CBE - September 25, 2017
• Basics of Sikhi, Jagraj Singh Passes Away - July 20, 2017
• Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi wins seat at UK General Elections - June 9, 2017
• Britain Elects First Female Sikh MP – Preet Gill - June 9, 2017

Share this story