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Turban versus Helmet
Bhupinder Singh
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The
author of How Europe is Indebted to the Sikhs – Role
of Sikhs in Europe during WW II , Vol. II, chronicler
Bhupinder Singh presents the comments of British Generals and
one Sikh observer regarding the wearing of Turban during war and
hopes that these comments will come in handy for the two Sikh
recruits in the US army who are being discriminated and asked
not to wear them. |
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 As Sikhs face
discrimination in the wearing of Turban in France and USA, the legal
and political leadership of the two countries would do well to read
the startling revelations of what army leaders felt about the Turban
in the two World Wars of the last century.
Lt. General
Sir Reginald Savory K.G.T., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. writes to Mrs. G.
Scott, Scientific Section, House of Commons Library:
"... I have
known Sikhs pick bullets out of their turbans during and after
battle. In fact the turban absorbs the shock of a bullet possibly
rather better than a tin helmet. If the turban is properly tied, it
will also form an effective buffer too, for instance, from a toss
from a motor bicycle.
During World War
1, when the steel helmet was first introduced, we British Officers
of Sikh Regiments tried to persuade our men to wear them, but they
steadfastly refused, and have done so ever since."
Major General
B.W.Key, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. writes this note to Gyani Sundar Singh
Sagar:
"... At the
outbreak of World War II I was serving at A.H.Q. (Army
Headquarters). Shortly after I was sent for by the C. in C. General
Sir Robert Cassells. He asked me if the Sikh Regiment was prepared
to wear steel helmets. I replied that they had not done so in World
War I, that it was contrary to their religion, that we had never
interfered with religious tenets, and was it worthwhile arousing
strong feelings to reduce head injuries by an infinitesimal
proportion? I also pointed out that the Sikh Pagri (Turban) was a
very good protection in itself to head wounds.
This latter
point I would emphasise as regards riding motor bicycles. There is
no question that the Pagri offers greater protection than an
ordinary hat or cap.
 The reasons
given above were accepted by the C. in C. India. Sikhs did not have
to wear steel helmets, and I hope the same reasons will satisfy the
Government. "
Col.
H.A.Hughes, D.S.O., M.B.E., D.L., and J.P. writes this missive to
Gyani Sundar Singh Sagar:
"Thank you for
your letter of 6th August 1975 enclosing Sir Reginald Savory's
letter. May I say I entirely agree with all that the General says.
I was in the 2nd
Royal Battalion Sikh Regiment during the Frontier Campaign of
1936-38 on the N.W.Frontier of India. My Regiment consisted entirely
of Sikhs and of course they wore the Khaki Safa (Turban to the
uninitiated!)
During World War
II I commanded the 4/16th Punjab Regiment from the battle of El
Alamein to Tunis - in this battalion I had a company of Sikhs plus
those in H.Q. Company. They all wore the Safa and I certainly had no
more head wounds in this battalion than in any other battalion
wearing steel helmets.
In Great Britain
we claim to support religious tolerance. Why therefore should we try
to force someone to do something which is definitely against his
religious convictions?
The Sikhs have
fought for us in so many campaigns and laid down their lives for us
- I consider that we owe them a great deal and have now a chance to
repay our debts in a small way by allowing them to wear Turbans
instead of crash helmets while driving motor cycles.
I give you my
full support in your struggle to get exemption and wish you the best
of luck. "
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I also pointed out that the Sikh Pagri (Turban) was a very good
protection in itself to head wounds. This I would emphasize as
regards riding motor bicycles. There is no question that the
Pagri offers greater protection than an ordinary hat or cap |
In "The Sikh
Regiment In The Second World War " by Colonel F.T. Birdwood, O.B.E.,
the last words of the foreword of this book written by General Sir
Frank Messervy, K.C.S.I., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. state:
"Finally we that
live on can never forget those comrades who, in giving their lives,
gave so much that are great and good to the story of the Sikh
Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme
sacrifice. May they rest in peace.
In the last Two
World Wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and
109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom
of Britain and the World, enduring shellfire with no other
protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith."
Gurbachan Singh Bedi, Ottawa,
Canada
observes:
In the early days of World II (1939-1945) the Sikh Regimental Center
, then known as 10th Battalion the Sikh Regiment, was stationed in
Noshera (now in Pakistan), when I got enrolled in June 1940.
 I recollect that
Maj Gern Kilroy (who had earlier commanded its No: 4 Company as a
Captain) was deputed by the Army HQ (then called General HQ) to
visit the Training Center to convince and persuade the Sikh soldiers
being drafted to the European War Zone, to wear helmets (even over
their turbans) to protect themselves from sustaining head injuries.
The entire gathering opposed the idea.
Ultimately he came forward with a bet that let any one soldier
accompany me to the battle field where heavy shelling is going on.
If that person yet refuses to wear a helmet, I will reward him with
Rs. 100 and in case he then wares it, he will pay me Rs.1 only for
losing the bet. (In those days a soldier’s monthly salary was Rs.16
only).
He was astounded to see that all the listeners raised their hands,
in acceptance of the challenge. He left the stage with a smile and
submitted his findings to Army HQ, where the idea was nipped in the
bud for good.
Bhupinder Singh
is a persevering researcher and public leader in the Netherlands
engaging with the Sikh community and Dutch society. He continues his
journey of exploration of Sikh linkage with Europe in the last
century. He may be reached at bsingh@upcmail.nl
20
May 2009
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