Ethnic war stories recalled in pictures (From Worcester News)

Ethnic war stories recalled in pictures

9:53am Monday 30th July 2001

• Print
• Email

A significant photographic exhibition honouring those who have fought for the British Empire and Commonwealth is to be shown in Croydon in October, just before Remembrance Sunday.

The event, to be held in the Whitgift Centre, makes a special effort to mark the contributions made by black and Asian people.

The exhibition is in heavy demand and has already been displayed in several major UK cities.

It focuses mainly on the two world wars, particularly people from all parts of the Commonwealth and those in essential support services such as medicine, transport and logistics.

The Mayor, Councillor Peter Hopson, said: “The ready participation of men and women from the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and many smaller Commonwealth nations in the allied war effort is one of the lesser-known stories on the last world war.

“These people fought in Britain's wars and their contribution, alongside that of the UK forces, should not be overlooked. Staging the exhibition in the Whitgift Centre, just before Remembrance Sunday, will serve as a timely reminder.”

In the meantime the council has been approaching ex-service organisations in and around Croydon with the aim of widening the appeal of the annual commemoration.

Recognising the November celebration is traditionally preceded in Croydon by a Christian service at Fairfield, which some people from other faiths may find inappropriate to attend, the authority is trying to encourage more people to attend the secular wreath laying outside the town's main war memorial in Katharine Street.

As well as writing to various local branches of the Royal British Legion, the council has also approached both the Normandy and Dunkirk veterans associations as well as Gurkha's, Indian Army, West Indian ex-servicemen and the Ceylon Artillery associations.

The MoD's We Were There' exhibition will be staged in the Whitgift Centre, courtesy of the Whitgift Management, from October 29 to November 4. Remembrance Sunday will be November 11.