A sculpture by an early twentieth-century Sikh fighter pilot, cricketer, and golfer from Oxford University has been authorized for a new memorial, to be erected in Southampton, England, in memory of all Indians who served in World Wars. Hardit Singh Malik came to the United Kingdom as a 14-year-old to study at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and later joined the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. He was known as the “Flying Sikh” because he was the first Indian pilot with a turban and a specialized helmet. “As a result, the statue of Hardit Singh Malik, the world’s first Sikh, turbaned fighter pilot in the Royal Flying Corps (now the Royal Air Force), will be emblematic of the larger Sikh sacrifices in the British armed forces of World War I and II, with Malik’s remarkable achievements as a “touchstone” for the entire Sikh community and other lesser-known heroes,” according to the One Community Hampshire & Dorset (OCHD) organization, which spearheaded the memorial campaign, which was approved by Southampton City Council last year.
After a long and distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service, Malik also played cricket for Sussex and served as the Indian Ambassador to France. He is best known for his time as a fighter pilot in 1917-19. Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman of the British Sikh Association and Chief Patron of OCHD, said, “The striking beauty and strength of the exceptional nature of the memorial, which so eloquently captures the spirit and endeavor of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik, has completely overwhelmed me, it brings me great joy to hear that the design has been accepted by the group.”
The memorial will be designed by English sculptor Luke Perry, who is known for memorials such as the “Lions of the Great War” monument in Smethwick, England, which portrays a turbaned Sikh soldier to honour the sacrifices made by millions of South Asian military personnel who fought for Britain during the World Wars. His new memorial concept was completed earlier this month and obtained approval from the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras.
“Monuments like this play an important role in the struggle for equal representation”, Perry said, “These artworks are long overdue thanks and appreciation to the communities from around the world that have helped Britain in the past and continue to do so in critical positions, not only in the armed forces, but in health care and every aspect of modern life.”
