Indian veterans photographed outside the Indian Consulate, Melbourne after the Anzac parade
Hamilton(New Zealand), April 27, 2019:
By Gurbir Singh:
A contingent of Indian veterans participated in the Anzac parade in Melbourne (Australia) on 25 April to mark the 104th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers on the Turkish Peninsula. An estimated crowd of 25,000 people participated in the dawn service and cheered the parade as it marched down St Kilda Road.
Anzac Day is celebrated by these two neighbouring countries on 25th April every year to mark the sacrifices of soldiers in the Gallipoli in 1915 – a campaign that lasted eight months and claimed at least 125,000 lives,
Most people in these two countries are,however, unaware that nearly 16,000 Indian troops, comprising Gurkha and Sikh battalions, fought alongside the Anzacs in Gallipoli. There were four Gurkha battalions, one Sikh infantry battalion (of 14th Sikhs which suffered 80% casualties in June 1915 alone) and many thousands of Punjabi mule drivers in Gallipoli.
Historians believe almost 1,600 Indians died at Gallipoli and up to 3,500 were wounded.
The contribution of the 14th Sikh regiment was particularly noteworthy. 371 Sikhs fought valiantly to their death on June 3 and 4, 1915. Their bravery is exemplified by the fact that Sikhs won 14 of the 22 Victoria Crosses awarded to Indian soldiers and many were awarded the Victoria Cross honour.