A cross that signifies valour is awarded to the brave few, the highest of military honours transplants the heroism of old into the present, and also celebrates the modern.

In this year alone, a small number of individuals received the Victoria Cross, including L/Cpl Joshua Leakey, of the Parachute Regiment, who ‘disregarded’ his own safety when serving in Afghanistan in 2013.

Rambahadur Limbu, a Gurkha, won his Victoria Cross during the Indonesian Confrontation in 1965, and is one of few living VC recipients. Another name on that list is the Grenada-born Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry.

In New Zealand, the only recipient is Bill Henry “Willie” Apiata VC, who lived in the Northland, home of his father’s Ngapuhi iwi (a Maori term for social unit), until he was seven. Estrangement from his father saw Apiata move to settlement of Te Kaha, where you would find the Maori Te Whanau-a-Apanui iwi and returned there to visit after receiving his Victoria Cross.

Did you know? Victoria Crosses are cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855

Turning the pages of history and Britain looked towards the Empire and Commonwealth for support in times of war. During World War I, that support stretched from India, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Nepal (alongside non-Commonwealth allies including the United States).

Of the 1.2m volunteers from India’s volunteer army, six from India and two from Pakistan received VC awards, their names include Risaldar Badlu Singh, Sepoy Chatta Singh, Naik Darwan Singh Negi, Rifleman Gabir Singh Negi, Lance-Daffadar Gobind Singh, Lance-Naik Lala, Sepoy Khudadad Khan, Jemandar Mir Dast, and Naik Shahamad Khan.

The number of VC awards per country in WWI: Canada (70), Australia (66), New Zealand (16), South Africa (14), and Nepal (2).

William James Gordon (1864-1922), a Lance Corporal (later Sergeant), of the First Battalion, The West India Regiment, received his Victoria Cross in 1892. Gordon is the only Jamaican recipient and the second non-white soldier bestowed with a VC.

Able-Seaman William Neilson Edward Hall (1827-1904), born in Novia Scotia, Canada, became the first black person, and third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross in 1859. Hall served as “Captain of the Foretop” on board HMS Shannon during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58. His bravery under fire allowed the British garrison to escape.

So what can we learn from the above? One lesson is that the British Armed Forces will recognise acts of valour beyond the frameworks of ethnicity and nationality.

During World War One, India provided over a million volunteer soldiers to swell the depleted British ranks. The colonial theory of “martial races” influenced their selection. It dictated that certain races and castes were more “loyal” and “warlike.” For example, it favoured “loyal” Sikhs, Punjabi Muslims, and Gurkas. Whilst discouraging “disloyal” Bengalis and high-caste Hindus.

Of the 1.3 million who served in India’s army during World War One, approximately 400,000 were Muslims. Whether for honour, money or loyalty to the Empire, their contributions proved vital.

For a Eurocentric war, many overlook the colonial patchwork of our forces. Over 15,000 West Indians volunteered for the British West India Regiment and donated money to help the war effort. Soldiers from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand contained First Nations and Aboriginal men. Other colonial powers drew forces from parts of Africa. Britain recruited the Chinese Labour Corps to relieve soldiers from manual labour. But they were also open to great exploitation. Some fought for the British under a religious persuasion in the Jewish Legion. Even the Central Powers had multi-ethnic and religious forces (e.g. Arab, Slav, Kurd, and Albanian). An overlooked part of German history shows that 12,000 Jewish men died in the service of their country during WW1.

Case study: Brighton

The city of Brighton holds a unique place in the hearts of many British Indians thanks to its role during World War I. Various buildings became makeshift hospitals for Indian troops under the fog of war.

Cultural sensitivities also helped foster loyalty. Bacon, pork and beef went off the menu. Muslim soldiers had separate kitchens to prepare meat within Islamic rites. Ingredients were imported from abroad and locally sourced so individuals made dal and chapattis in gas-fired ovens.

In return for the kind hospitality, a permanent ‘thank you’ from India was erected in 1921. The India Gate was presented by the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh. The inscription read:

“This gateway is the gift of India in commemoration of her sons who – stricken in the Great War – were tended in the Pavilion in 1914 and 1915. Dedicated to the use of the inhabitants of the Brighton, B.N. Southall, Mayor.”

Singh championed the British war effort and reminded an eager crowd that he sent 28,000 men from his own state to fight. The ceremony was immortalised in film by British Pathe and in various photographs.

World War II

By the end of the Second World War, India’s army reached 2.5 million, with Muslims making up around a third of the numbers at any one time. Many recruits came from what is now Pakistan. The academic, Jahan Mahmood, looked at 5,500 Indian army deaths in Italy. Mr Mahmood’s work helped many young British Muslims trace their roots to those who served in this period. Of the 122 deaths of soldiers under 18, 90 were Muslim. Among them were three 15-year-olds – Amir Khan, Gulab Khan, and Mian Khan. Asians also helped in other areas – on merchant ships and in factories. Others worked as Air Raid Precaution Wardens, nurses and firemen.

Two weeks ago at the launch of the ‘Building Our Futures Together’ project, we had the pleasure of meeting Sergeant Johnson Beharry who attended the event in Westminster in Central London. The background of Sergeant Beharry is one of courage, community engagement, commitment and a desire to do what is right for communities. It is not only his heroism that stands tall when you meet Sergeant Beharry, it is the humble attitude and the quiet voice that grab you. They possibly hold testament to a man who has had to meet death and walk away from it with his mind and body intact. 

Sergeant Beharry was born in Grenada and moved to the UK in 1999. He also joined the Princess of Wales’s Royal regiment in August 2001 and went onto serve in Kosovo and three months in Northern Ireland. It was in Iraq that Sergeant Beharry came into his own, risking his life for others in his platoon.

Having spoken to him at the event, it is strikingly obvious that Sergeant Beharry is a reflective man, someone who has a discipline and maturity that has been shaped by his experiences. Yet, talking to him, you feel that he cares for the young, the unemployed and the old and a strong sense of social justice runs through him. We talked about what he wanted to do and responses were clear; he wanted to motivate young people, he wanted young Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men to think about structure and a future built on hard work, yet he also understood that injustice, prejudice and xenophobia sometimes held them back, due to no fault of their own. 

Sergeant Beharry exudes more than just heroism. He is the face of a modern Britain, one where people of different backgrounds, cultures and faiths can have a future. This does not mean that we disregard the fact that as a country, we do not have our fair share of problems. It means that modern Britain is one which is home to many communities who feel that they are willing to put their energies into the defence of the realm, the reputation of our country and where they can help those in need through international aid missions. Sergeant Beharry did this in Kosovo and when he wears his Victoria Cross, he not only makes us all proud, he becomes a mentor to many looking for structure and guidance in their lives.