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Canadian Sikh soldiers fought in France
WSN Network

TORONTO: A Canadian film maker David Gray has made an accidental discovery proving that nine Sikhs joined the Canadian Army and fought in World War I in France and Belgium. Gray was researching for a documentary 'Sikh- Canadian Heroes of the First World War'. The Toronto Star newspaper published an enrolment form of one John Singh, 35, whose affiliation was given in the form as 'Sikh temple'.  

In the last decade of the 19th century, some Sikh soldiers settled in Canada working in lumber and later in railway building. As per the media reports, Gray was reportedly researching the material for his documentary on laborers from China and India who worked in quarries near Victoria, British Columbia from 1904-1920. 

All nine names found by Gray had the surname "Singh". They enlisted in the C anadian army after the imperial declaration of war against Germany and her allies on August 4, 1914. Those recruits reportedly ranged from 22 to 35. Eight of them served overseas, with two reportedly killed in action. Another died later of his battlefield wounds.

15 October 2008
 

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