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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-05-13 Daily Xml
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Sikhs in Gallipoli

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:33): This year, 25 April marked the 105th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign. Every year on this day we commemorate our ANZACs and the bravery and sacrifice of our service men and women in military missions across the world. We remember those who gave their lives in defending the values that Australia stands for. In paying respects to our war heroes, I would also like to knowledge the role of the Sikhs as valuable allies in the two world wars and as members of the ANZAC forces. While Sikhs made up less than 2 per cent of the Indian population, they comprised over 20 per cent of the British Indian Army that fought alongside Australian soldiers in Gallipoli.

The role of the fierce but righteous Sikhs in Gallipoli is documented through numerous affectionate mentions and photographs that were sent home to Australia by our soldiers. The Sikhs would share their meals of dahl and roti bread with Australian soldiers who were keen for a change from the ANZAC rations. The Sikhs arrived at Gallipoli as part of the Forge G of the British Indian Army as the 14th Firozpur Sikh Battalion and were later joined by the 1st Rajindra Patiala Sikh Infantry. The Mountain Artillery Brigade, comprising Sikhs and Punjabis, also served alongside Australians for the entire eight months of the campaign.

Their contribution was not limited to the battlefield alone. The Sikhs were an integral part of the medical unit, and supply and transport unit that cared for our allied forces. The 14th Firozpur Regiment were highly trained and seasoned in military operations, having previously participated in multiple operations in India. To honour their past service, Sikh soldiers were distinguished with the right to wear turbans, which were identified in many notes sent home by ANZAC and British soldiers during the war.

At midday on 4 June 1915, the 14th Firozpur Sikhs, comprising 13 Indian officers and 450 sepoys, attacked the Turkish forces as a part of the Third Battle of Krithia during the Gallipoli campaign. The aim of the battle was to capture trenches and further the allied hold line. They bravely marched forward from gully ravines despite the possibility of hidden machine-gun fire from the Turkish forces.

The Turks controlled the high ground and had already dug trenches, giving themselves a great strategic advantage. The challenge facing the Sikhs was further heightened as the British had limited shells and could not successfully push the Turk soldiers back according to plan. Despite all these setbacks, the Sikhs charged upward in a fight, with all odds against them. They fought machine-gun and rifle fire with bayonets and not one man turned back or surrendered in defeat that day.

The fierce battle that ensued left the regiment with 11 out of 13 officers and 371 out of the 450 sepoys as casualties, a terrible loss of life in one day of fighting. However, their tales of courage and strength live on in the writings of men like Lieutenant Reginald Savory and General Sir Ian Hamilton. Savory speaks of Uday Singh, the broad-shouldered battalion wrestler who deserted the reserve trenches to rescue Savory in the midst of gunfire with no fear of death. Uday Singh carried him to safety, having flung Savory across his shoulder in a show of loyalty to his officer that the Sikhs have garnered a reputation for.

Many ANZACS wrote home about the bravery of Karam Singh who continued to command his troops despite being blinded by an artillery shell. Section Commander Magger Singh leapt past a wire obstacle, leading his men across the obstacle that the Turks expected would deter the Sikhs. In a letter to the commander-in-chief in India, General Hamilton spoke of the extreme gallantry of the battalion that allowed not an inch of ground to be lost with not a sign of wavering all day. He spoke of the Turkish trenches littered with the bodies of the fearless Sikhs who had fallen face first in their charge, undeterred by the prospect of death.

The Sikhs throughout the Gallipoli campaign will always be remembered for their discipline, valour, strength and faith in the face of opposition. These lion-hearted men followed the paths of their formidable warrior ancestors and entrenched the foundations of a long-lasting friendship between the Sikh community and Australia. I am privileged to have developed a good relationship with the Sikh community in South Australia over the past six years.

I would like to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of Mr Balwant, President of the South Australian Sikh Society, and Dr Takhar of the Prospect temple, who encouraged me to talk about the contribution of the Sikhs in the Gallipoli campaign today. I also acknowledge Noor Garcha for her research assistance in preparing this speech.

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