British initiative to make known heroics of war heroes

Lesser-known in his own country, bravery tales of Lance-Daffadar Gobind Singh Rathore of Rajasthan will now be heard across the world. Britain has launched a new digital archive telling the inspiring stories of war heroes, including Gobind Singh and five other Indians, as a part of the UK government’s centenary celebrations to mark World War I.

The new digital archive was launched by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) last month to chronicle individual biographies of Lance-Daffadar Gobind Singh from Rajasthan, Risaldar Badlu Singh from Punjab, Sepoy Chatta Singh from Uttar Pradesh, Naik Darwan Singh Negi and Rifleman Gabar Sing Negi from Uttarakhand and Lance Naik Lala from Himachal Pradesh. It has launched a new digital archive narrating the inspiring stories of 175 war heroes who received Victoria Cross (VC).

FCO Minister Hugo Swire says: “By putting their stories online we are sending a message that these men, and the important role played by their home countries in the First World War, will never be forgotten by the people of the United Kingdom. Behind every name engraved on the memorial plaques there is a truly remarkable story. It is fitting that we pay tribute to the Victoria Cross recipients from overseas by bringing their stories together in this digital archive.” Also, a separate audio narrative of their tales has been archived in the library.

The new digital archive can be accessed through the UK government’s official www.gov.uk portal. August 2014 marked 100 years of Britain entering the First World War. (The then) Prime Minister David Cameron had launched the commemoration programme in October 2012.

Gobind Singh's kin and people in Damoi village of Rajasthan, where the hero was born, are thrilled at the development.

Born on December 7, 1887, Gobind Singh Lance-Daffadar of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) had bagged the VC, highest Commonwealth award for gallantry valour “in the face of the enemy” given to members of the armed forces of British territories.

Damoi in Nagore district has a population of 500. When one enters the village and starts looking for Gobind Singh's house, one realises that he's rather famous as “VC Sahab” (Victoria Cross Sahab). And suddenly people are eager to accompany you to his house, a weathered “haveli” he built after his retirement.

Painted in sky blue colour, this haveli, built on 70 bighas of land, has 12 rooms with traditional arches over long baradaris. When a visitor steps into the courtyard, he is greeted by two big frames of his painted portraits in army fatigues, his proud eyes behind bushy mustaches gazing intently at you. The portraits hang outside a room with four windows where he breathed his last.  At present his daughter-in-law Kamal Kanwar lives there.

Gobind was keen to study but his village had no school. So, he was admitted to prestigious Chowpasni school situated in Jodhpur,175 km from his village. After returning from the World War I he resumed his studies. During those days women hardly went to school but he made his wife, Jattal Kanwar, study till fifth standard in the same school. Most of the time, Gobind served away from home.

At the time of his death, Gobind had extracted an assurance from his wife that she will never compromise with son's studies. Ganga Singh Rathore, who was just five when Gobind died, went on to become a brigadier. Thanks to initiatives of his family now the village has a senior secondary school. Singh survived the war and died at 55 in 1942.

He joined the British Indian Army along with his brother Amar Singh in 1910. When the Great War broke out, the unit had to be deputed to Europe. Both brothers volunteered to go, but their officer advised that one should stay back to look after the family. Amar stayed back, and Gobind left for France. He was 29 when he became a Lance in the 28th Light Cavalry. He was later attached to 2nd Lancer which was also called Gardner’s Horse.

Gobind was awarded for his actions against German forces in France at the Battle of Cambrai on December 1, 1917 during the World War I.

His citation for the VC in the London Gazette of January 11, 1918, reads: “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in thrice volunteering to carry messages between the regiment and brigade headquarters, a distance of over 1 1/2 miles over open ground which was under the observation and heavy fire of the enemy. He succeeded each time in delivering his message, although on each occasion his horse was shot dead and he was compelled to finish his journey on foot.”

The VC was presented to him at Buckingham Palace by the King. It was later presented to 2nd Lancers by Govind’s son, Brig Ganga Singh (1937-1999). Ganga joined the Regiment as a recruit; rose to command its B Squadron, then 2nd Lancers, and, finally, an Infantry and an Armoured Brigade.

As part of the World War 1 Centenary Celebrations, the UK Government has just unveiled a hand-crafted bronze plaque in memory of Indian soldiers awarded the VC.

Carrying forward the legacy of his family 53-year-old Col Rajinder Singh like his father Ganga Singh and grandfather Gobind Singh also belongs to prestigious 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse). Proud  Rathore who is currently posted in the 52 Infantry Brigade Jammu (LOC), told Deccan Herald over phone: “Every time people talk about the heroic deeds of my grandfather my heart swells with pride. I appreciate the British Government's innovative way of preserving the priceless stories of the heroes in their digital archives. Now, people from all over the world can easily access his information. However, such initiative should be replicated by the Indian and the Rajasthan governments .”

Unhappy at the response of state and Central governments, family believes that bravery of Singh needs  bigger recognition in his own country. Expressing his concern, Col Narpat Singh Rathore (retd), another grandson of Gobind Singh who presently lives in Jaipur, told Deccan Herald: “I still remember the bravery tales of my grandfather narrated by my father. He had told me that Ganga Singh was nominated second time for the VC. But it is given only once. Although his bravery stories are archived in the digital library a memorial in his village can be built or a defence academy could be dedicated to him, so that people, especially the new generation, can recognise his work."