Brighton service remembers Indian soldiers who died in First World War

A service was held at the Chattri memorial on the Downs in Brighton today (Sunday 10 June).

Dozens of people turned out in remembrance of the Indian soldiers served on the Western Front in the First World War.

In particular they commemorated the 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers from India who died in hospital in Brighton during the First World War.

A total of 12,000 Indian soldiers were treated in temporary hospitals in Brighton in 1914-15 after being injured in the fighting.

Among the buildings in Brighton that were converted into temporary hospitals were the Royal Pavilion, the Dome and the Corn Exchange.

The memorial, off Standen Lane, Patcham, records the “grateful admiration and brotherly affection” felt by the people of Brighton for the Indian war dead.

Another memorial – the southern gateway to the Royal Pavilion – was paid for by the Indian public as a thank you to the people of Brighton for nursing convalescing Indian soldiers.