Neuve-Chapelle Memorial

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial. It commemorates more than 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during the First World War and have no known grave. The location of the memorial was specially chosen as it was at Neuve-Chapelle in March 1915 that the Indian Corps fought its first major action as a single unit.

The memorial commemorates more than 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during the First World War and have no known graves.

 

This site also contains the Neuve-Chapelle 1939-1945 Cremation Memorial.

In 1964 the remains of 8 Indian soldiers (including 2 unidentified) were exhumed from Sarrebourg French Military Cemetery Extension and Cremated. The names of the 6 identified soldiers are engraved on panels at the Neuve Chapelle Memorial, together with the following inscription:

1939 - 1945 IN HONOUR OF THESE SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN CAPTIVITY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE AND WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS WERE COMMITTED TO FIRE.

 

The Neuve Chapelle Memorial takes the form of a circular enclosure, in the foreground of which is a column nearly 15 metres high, recalling the pillars of Asokar, surmounted by a Lotus capital, the Star of India and the Imperial Crown. On either side of the column two carved tigers guard this temple of the dead. The column and the tigers are supported by a "podium", on the near side of which is carved "INDIA 1914-1918", while on the far side are the Battle Honours of Indian units on the Western Front. From the ends of the podium a pierced stone railing extends half-way round the circle, and the ends of the semicircle are marked by two small domed "chattris", roughly East and West. The far semi-circle is enclosed by a solid wall on which are carved the names of over 4,700 soldiers of the Indian Army. Also engraved on the Memorial is the following inscription:

TO THE HONOUR OF THE ARMY OF INDIA WHICH FOUGHT IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM, 1914-1918, AND IN PERPETUAL REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED AND WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.

 

In 1964 a Special Bronze Panel was designed to add to this memorial the names of 210 servicemen of undivided India who died during the 1914-1918 war, whose graves at Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, East Germany, were unmaintainable. Although this plaque still exists, these graves were reinstated following the renovation in 2005 of Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery in Germany and which is now the official point of commemoration.

 

Memorial

Served with

  • Indian (4653)

Served in

  • Army (4653)

1939-1945 Cremation Memorial

Served with

  • Indian (6)

Served in

  • Army (6)
Neuve Chapelle Memorial
PDF – 47,0 KB

VICTORIA CROSS

Lieutenant William Arthur McCrae BRUCE - 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)

Died 19 December 1914 Age 24

Country of Service: Indian

Awards: Victoria Cross

Bruce London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 4th Sept., 1919, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On the 19th December, 1914, near Givenchy, during a night attack, Lt. Bruce was in command of a small party which captured one of the enemy's trenches. In spite of being severely wounded in the neck, he walked up and down the trench, encouraging his men to hold on against several counter-attacks for some hours until killed. The fire from rifles and bombs was very heavy all day, and it was due to the skilful disposition made, and the example and encouragement shown by Lt. Bruce that his men were able to hold out until dusk, when the trench was finally captured by the enemy."

Grave Reference: Panel 25.

(Source: Wikipedia)


Rifleman Gobar Sing NEGI - 1685 - 2nd Bn. 39th Garhwal Rifles

Died 10 March 1915 Age 21

Country of Service: Indian

Awards: Victoria Cross

Negi London Gazette
PDF – 110,0 KB

Citation

An extract from the Supplement to The "London Gazette," dated 27th April, 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery on 10th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle. During our attack on the German position he was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

Grave Reference: Panel 33.

(Source: Wikipedia)