Posted: Fri 17 Nov, 2006 7:40 pm
There's a current RM advertising blurb showing a Sikh in his turban wearing the Globe and Laurel.
Should they be 'allowed' to wear it? Well, in WWI 138,000 Sikhs fought for the Empire. >34, 000 were killed or injured.
Over WWI and WWII 183,000 Sikhs fought and 109,000 were killed or injured.
I think at least 13 Sikhs have been awarded the VC. In the 1st battle of Ypres at Flanders a whole platoon was wiped out. The last man shot himself rather than surrender. At Neuve Chappell in 1915 80% of the Sikhs died.
Ishar Singh won a VC in 1921, so they didn't just turn up for the 'big wars'.
And they all wore turbans.
Should they be 'allowed' to wear it? Well, in WWI 138,000 Sikhs fought for the Empire. >34, 000 were killed or injured.
Over WWI and WWII 183,000 Sikhs fought and 109,000 were killed or injured.
I think at least 13 Sikhs have been awarded the VC. In the 1st battle of Ypres at Flanders a whole platoon was wiped out. The last man shot himself rather than surrender. At Neuve Chappell in 1915 80% of the Sikhs died.
Ishar Singh won a VC in 1921, so they didn't just turn up for the 'big wars'.
And they all wore turbans.