Bronze Sikh soldier bestowed on University of Huddersfield

The Sikh Soldier Organisation presented the sculpture to the Vice-Chancellor in commemoration of the thousands of Sikh soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the two World Wars

A SIX-foot bronze statue of a Sikh soldier was recently unveiled at a special remembrance ceremony in Huddersfield’s Greenhead Park to commemorate over 83,000 Sikh soldiers who lost their lives during the two World Wars.  Now, to educate people about their largely untold story and for being respected as one of the main educational establishments in Huddersfield, the University was officially presented with a miniature version by the Sikh Soldier Organisation.

The full-size statue, which is the first of its kind in Yorkshire, was funded wholly by public donations and has been ten years in the making with Huddersfield chosen as the destination because of its ‘vibrant Sikh community’.  The bronze soldier was produced in India and the stone on which he stands is made of Yorkshire stone, designed to represent a mix of two cultures. 

More than 83,000 Sikhs were killed with many more wounded during both World War One and World War Two. 

“It’s about educating people of this untold story and how thousands of Sikh’s left their families to fight for our freedom, with thousands losing their lives, not just from India but from all over the Commonwealth and who never returned home.”

Tim Bhullar, President of the Sikh Soldier Organisation

Tim Bhullar, President of the Sikh Soldier Organisation and an alumnus of the University, explained how the Sikh community was humbled to see the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE at the official unveiling ceremony in Greenhead Park.  They immediately thought of the University as being the perfect location for the smaller sculpture, which is a scaled-down replica of the monument now standing in Greenhead Park. 

“It’s about educating people of this untold story and how thousands of Sikh’s left their families to fight for our freedom, with thousands losing their lives, not just from India but from all over the Commonwealth and who never returned home,” said Tim Bhullar. 

“We couldn’t think of a better place for this to start happening than at a respected place of education like the University of Huddersfield and we are very thankful that Professor Cryan has allowed us to put this statue in his office,” he added. 

Prior to the official opening ceremony, at a special event hosted by the Territorial Army who have a base adjacent to the University’s campus, Tim Bhullar discovered that his and Professor Cryan’s paths had crossed before, unbeknown by him until he heard the Vice-Chancellor deliver his speech. 

“Interestingly, I used to work at the Bhullar Brothers shop located in Deighton as a school boy for Steve Bhullar, the brother of Tim Bhullar,” said Professor Cryan.  “So, my involvement with the Sikh community goes back a long, long way. 

“They are a community that is extremely generous, compassionate and hard-working and I am absolutely delighted to accept this statue on behalf of all the staff and students at the University of Huddersfield.”