‘My grandfather was in the forgotten army that fought until VJ Day’

A man from Woolwich has spoken about his pride in his grandfather, who fought in Britain’s “forgotten army” during the Second World War, to mark the anniversary of VJ Day.

Iqbal Singh was inspired to find out more about his grandfather Udam’s service after seeing an exhibition about the pre-partition Indian army’s service in the conflict.

Udam Singh, who was originally from Punjab, fought against Japanese forces in Burma and was missing, presumed dead, for two years after the war ended on August 15, 1945. 

His wife – Iqbal’s grandmother – was drawing a war widow’s pension for two years, until Udam suddenly showed up in Mumbai and sent a telegram back to the village of Mithapur, and the family were reunited.

Udam’s whereabouts during those two years remain a mystery. Iqbal believes his grandfather may have been in a prisoner of war camp or lost in the jungle. 

Some answers may come later this year when his sister Balbir travels to India, where they have learned that family members have a chest with documents that may reveal more.

Iqbal was inspired to find out more about his grandfather’s service after visiting the memorial to Sikh soldiers at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and seeing a Royal British Legion exhibition about the pre-partition Indian Army.

The Legion has been touring the Forgotten Army exhibition for a year and visiting communities across the UK encouraging families to find out more about their ancestors, and to  submit stories of their own family members who served to the My Family Legacy website, to contribute to a growing archive.  

Iqbal said: ”The service of south Asian soldiers has sometimes been overlooked and it’s important that we look into our own family histories and learn about their service.”

Research for British Future found that 52 per cent of British people did not know about the 2.5 million south Asian soldiers that served in the war – even though it was mainly troops from what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who fought in the months between VE Day in May 1945 and VJ Day in August.

Antony Metcalfe, the head of community engagement at the Royal British Legion, said: “Victory in the Second World War would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the British Indian Army and Allied forces from across the Commonwealth and beyond,  whose service helped shape modern Britain. 

“The Royal British Legion is proud to be touring the Forgotten Army exhibition, helping to ensure these stories are remembered and the vital contribution of these servicemen and women is never forgotten.”

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said:  “Our national traditions of remembrance can bring today’s modern, diverse Britain together ever more powerfully when we commemorate all of those who served to secure the freedoms that we enjoy today.”

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