4th Battalion of the Mercian Regiment visit Sikh Community at GNG Sedgley Street
We had the pleasure of welcoming the 4th Battalion of the Mercian Regiment at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton. Over 110 soldiers with their Officer’s came to Gurdwara for honorary blessing and Langar. This gesture earned a Royal vote of thanks from Prince Charles, the Commander in chief of the regiment.
The troops removed their boots before entering the Gurdwara and later sat cross legged with the congregation on the floor. Mr Satinder Singh Basra, a member of Akaal organisation told the soldiers: "You have been on harrowing operations in Afghanistan. We Sikhs are a martial nation and we honour other brave warriors."
Lt Col Martyn Forgrave, the commanding officer of 4 Mercian, read a letter from Prince Charles, the Commander in Chief of their regiment to the congregation saying "The Prince of Wales is delighted to hear of the blossoming relationship between the Sikh community of Wolverhampton and the 4th Battalion of the Mercian Regiment.
He said: "We are honoured and privileged to be invited to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and are particularly grateful to the Akaal organisation who have been central to the planning of the event."
He also presented a copy of the 1880 painting of Sikh officers from the 2nd Regiment of Cavalry Punjab Frontier Force. The original of the painting currently hangs in the Indian Army Memorial Room at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Mr Tarsem Singh, Mr Gurdial Singh and Mr Lakha Singh presented a ceremonial sword to Brigadier Mark Banham and a plaque to Lt Col Martyn Forgrave for the unsung bravery of the troops of 4th Battalion of the Mercian Regiment which is the Territorial Army. The Officers and soldiers come from all areas of society and from a variety of professions and occupations. They volunteer their services to Queen & country without a thought for their personal safety. Although part time, eg weekends and battle camps, they always have volunteers on operations serving in all corners of the world.
The battalion were then served Langar. The Langar is the traditional way for a Sikh to show respect, rather like inviting a person round to your home for a meal in a gesture of friendship.
Other comments from Akaal Organisation:-
"It was simply our way of saying thank you. The troops do a very hard job that is not always appreciated.”
"We approached several organisations for help in staging the event and Guru Nanak Gurdwara offered their services and have been very helpful.”
“Sikhs have fought alongside the British for many years and this is just a natural progression from that.”
"We feel extremely proud of the response it has drawn from Prince Charles but we were not looking for anything in return."
"This has nothing to do with where the British troops have been serving. We are British and justifiably proud of the role played by our armed services.”
A special thanks to Warrant Officier Jai Patel (Community Liasion Officer – British Army W.Mids) for aiding Akaal Organisation in organising this special day where the Sikh community showed its appreciation to the British Armed Forces.
