15 April 2015
12:00-13:00, Heritage Suite, Birmingham Central Library
William Spencer, principal military specialist, The National Archives, and Jahan Mahmood, independent military historian. In this fascinating talk, The National Archives, together with the Voices of War and Peace, invites you to explore the South Asian contribution to the First World War, from the official to the personal.
One hundred years ago, undivided India provided Britain with a massive volunteer army in its hour of need. From 1914-1918 close to 1.5 million Indians served, fighting in all the major theatres of war, from Flanders’ fields in Belgium to the Mesopotamian oil fields of present day Iraq. One in six of the service personnel under British command was from the Indian subcontinent. Because of this there are many connections to be made between Britain’s South Asian communities and this landmark conflict.
The event is free, and will be held in the Heritage Suite of Birmingham Central Library. Book your place.