VE DAY: National tribute to Scotland’s ‘forgotten’ World War II heroes backed by Kingussie family

The family of a Kingussie woman who tended to war graves for 70 years is calling for a memorial to Scotland’s ‘forgotten’ heroes

The VE Day anniversary on Thursday is an opportunity to remember the contribution of South Asian soldiers who fought alongside British troops, according to the family of Isobel Harling.

Fourteen soldiers from the British Indian Army (BIA) died in Scotland while training in harsh conditions with British troops, with nine of them laid to rest at Kingussie cemetery.

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Isobel tended to the Kingussie graves for nearly 70 years until her death in 2023.

She who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2019 for her dedication to care for the graves which was prompted by the death of her brother overseas in World War II.

Isobel had served with the Women's Royal Naval Service and was 100 years old when she passed away.

She is buried opposite the war graves of the Indian soldiers in the town’s new cemetery.

Planning permission is now in place to build a memorial in the grounds of Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to commemorate the sacrifices and contributions of BIA soldiers who contributed to the Allied war effort.

This follows a successful eight-year campaign by the charity Colourful Heritage, however, tens of thousands of pounds are now needed to make the project a reality.

It will cost around £270,000 to build, and around £60,000 has been raised so far.

Scotland has a special connection with the BIA through a mainly Indian Muslim contingent from the Punjab including present day Pakistan called ‘Force K6’, which was a mule transport corps during the Second World War.

Isobel’s daughter Gaynoll Craig, from Boat of Garten, said: “VE Day is an opportunity to remember the huge contribution that all arms of the British Indian Army made in WW2.

“A permanent memorial in Scotland is long overdue and would allow Scottish families to honour the great sacrifice these soldiers made in fighting so far from their homeland.”

Dr Saqib Razzaq, project officer and head of research at Colourful Heritage, said: “The VE Day commemorations are an opportunity to remember the wartime service and sacrifice of all those who answered Britain’s call.

“Millions of soldiers from South Asia including present day Pakistan, India and Bangladesh fought alongside British troops to defend our democracy, and their legacy must never be forgotten.

“It is fit and proper that Scotland has a national memorial to all faiths of the British Indian Army, reminding future generations about Scotland's diverse history and the importance of inclusivity.”

Rear Admiral (rtd) Mark Beverstock, president of Poppy Scotland, remarked: “As the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day approaches, it is a moment of poignant reflection of all those across the world who fought so bravely, shoulder to shoulder with Great Britain and in particular those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

“The ambitious plan for a lasting memorial in Glasgow to the brave men of the British Indian Army, a potent force that had grown to over 2.5 million men by the end of the war, would provide a lasting focal point to honour their sacrifice.”

The British Indian Army contributed 2.5 million servicemen in the Second World War – 87,000 died and up to 150,000 were injured.

The soldiers were Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Gurkhas, and Indian Christians. They provided supplies of £1.3 billion -around £53 billion - in today’s money.

Who are Colourful Heritage?

Established in 2010, the Colourful Heritage initiative aims to ‘capture’ the story, ‘celebrate’ the achievements and ‘inspire’ present and future generations.

It consists of the UK’s largest online oral video history collection.

In 2017 working in collaboration with Glasgow Museums, the GlaswegAsians exhibition was launched which highlighted the contribution of the South Asian community in Scotland and included a specific focus on the role of the British Indian Army (BIA).

In 2023 working in collaboration with Glasgow Museums, a permanent exhibition called ‘GlaswegAsians in World War Two’ was launched at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to highlight the story of Force K6, Naik Gian Singh VC, and others from Scotland who had a connection to the BIA.

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