INDIAN ARMY
IN THE GREAT WAR
SAMPL ITINERA E RY
The Indian Army during WW1, sometimes called the British Indian Army, served in the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East theatres of war. Over one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. Fighting on the Western Front in Belgium and France between 1914 – 1918 Indian soldiers were to win 6 VCs. Join us on our fascinating tour in which we will visit the sites of these heroic actions. They fought alongside their British officers who, in the great tradition of the British Indian Army, died leading from the front with their soldiers. There are many memorials in both the UK and on the Western Front to those from the sub-Continent who came to fight in an alien and hostile environment far from home amongst many who did not understand their customs or religious beliefs.
Sample itinerary for personal & group tours
Dates
Available year round
£POA per person
DAY ONE: THURSDAY 0845hrs Meet Guide and coach in London. Your tour by coach will include: Visit the Commonwealth Memorial Gates, which commemorate the armed forces of the British Empire from five regions of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka), as well as Africa and the Caribbean, who served with the British Army in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial was inaugurated in 2002 Travel to Brighton Packed lunch provided in Brighton Visit the Chattri Memorial high on the South Downs above the town. The memorial stands on the site of the burning ghat and is a memorial to all Indian soldiers who died during the First World War, 1914-1918, but it will always be particularly associated with the 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers whose remains were cremated at this spot. Muslims soldiers
DAY TWO: FRIDAY were interred according to their tradition and are now buried at Brookwood Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery outside London
Breakfast provided in hotel. Check out of hotel Drive to Dover for P&O Ferry to Calais. Meals on board at own expense
Visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Many wounded Indian soldiers were cared for in hospitals in the Brighton area the most famous being the Royal Pavilion given by the King for the sole use of Indian soldiers. At the Royal Pavilion is a Gateway, a gift from the people of India to the inhabitants of Brighton and Hove as a thank you to ‘Doctor Brighton’ for caring
After arrival at Calais drive to Ypres. There will be a briefing and film en route
Entrance to Royal Pavilion at own expense
Tour the Ypres battlefield where in 1914/15 Indian troops distinguished themselves on the battlefield supporting their British comrades. Visit the battle sites where Sepoy Khudadad Khan won the Victoria Cross in Oct 1914 close by the village of Messines in the First Battle of Ypres and where Subadar Mir Dast also won the Victoria Cross in Apr 1915 in the Second Battle of Ypres
Free time in Brighton Leave Brighton and travel to Maidstone Check in to the hotel Dinner in the hotel Accommodation: Maidstone Meals: L D
Visit Bedford House CWGC Cemetery near Ypres designed by Edward Lutyens in a ‘Mughal’ style. Edward Lutyens coincidentally was responsible for the design of much of the Parliament Building in New Delhi which stand today. Muslim soldiers of the Indian Army are buried here.
More itinerary on the following page
INDIAN ARMY
IN THE GREAT WAR Book in to hotel in Ypres This evening at 8pm we will attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Dinner at own expense. Accommodation: Ypres Meals: B
DAY THREE: SATURDAY Breakfast in the hotel. Depart hotel with packed lunch for tour of: La Bombe Indian Memorial to the Missing on which are the names of 4700 soldiers of the British Indian Army who took part in the battle of Neuve Chappelle in March 1915 as part of the British First Army. It was here that the Indian Corps fought their way into Neuve Chapelle and where Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was to win for India another Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross being the highest award for gallantry to be awarded to soldiers of the armies of the British Army The Indian Cemeteries at Zelobes and Gorre where are buried soldiers of the Indian Corps according to their religious custom. Among them are their fellow countrymen who came to serve but fight, the camp followers who also came from the sub-Continent
Festubert - Aubers Ridge. In this area the Indian Corps of the Meerut and Lahore Divisions served until November 1915 when they were eventually withdrawn from the Western Front and sent to reinforce the Army in Mesopotamia now modern day Iraq Locations where Indian soldiers had won another two Victoria Crosses Rifleman Kulbir Thap at Fahquissant Sep 1915 and Naik Kulbir Singh Negi at Festubert in November 1915
DATES
TWIN / DOUBLE ROOM
SRS*
Year round
£POA
£POA
• Subject to currency fluctuation & confirmation at time of booking. * Single Room Supplement
INCLUDES
Return to Hotel in Ypres Dinner at own expense. Accommodation: Ypres Meals: B L
per person
• Experienced and knowledgeable military historian and guide throughout • Luxury mini coach with DVD and air conditioning throughout tour • Dover to Calais return aboard a P & O ferry
DAY FOUR: SUNDAY
• 1 night accommodation in Maidstone
Breakfast in the hotel. Check out of hotel with packed lunch. Depart hotel for guided walking tour of beautiful Flemish town of Ypres. Visit the Flanders Field Museum in the Cloth Hall in Ypres. The Museum tells the story of how the Great War 1914-18 affected the lives of local people as well as the combatants of both sides. Packed lunch provided. Last minute shopping in Ypres before returning to UK by Ferry P&O to Dover. Arrive in London at about 1800hrs.
• 2 nights accommodation in Ypres
Accommodation: None Meals: B L
• Tips, porterage and all personal extras
• Breakfast daily • 2 packed lunches • 1 dinner • 1 museum entrance
COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE
• Lunches, dinners and beverages not detailed above
TERMS & CONDITIONS • £100 Per Person deposit required to confirm booking • Final Payment 10 weeks prior to departure • Please see website for full Terms & Conditions
For enquiries or booking please contact:
tours@spiritofremembrance.com or call 01634 233785