My speech at the 1914 Sikhs Ceremonial Marching Troop Inauguration Parade

Preet Kaur Gill MP addressing the inauguration parade of the 1914 Sikhs Ceremonial Marching Troop at Wellington Barracks, London.

It is a profound honour to be here today to support this commemoration of Sikh service and sacrifice.

We gather for the official inauguration of the 1914 Sikhs Ceremonial Troop, a living tribute that brings the extraordinary stories of Sikh soldiers into public consciousness, ensuring their courage and contributions are never forgotten.

The 1914 Sikhs are not merely a ceremonial troop, they are a bridge between generations.

Dressed in authentic World War I Sikh infantry uniforms, complete with period accurate kit such as the Lee-Enfield rifle, each member stands as a proud embodiment of the martial tradition of the Sikh soldier – the Sant Sipahi, the Saint-Soldier – committed equally to faith and to service.

Through powerful public appearances across the United Kingdom, the troop keeps alive the spirit of those who fought for freedom, justice, and humanity.

I want to especially thank Major Daljinder Singh Virdee, and all at the Sikh Military Foundation for their vision and tireless efforts to preserve, promote, and commemorate Sikh military heritage and for ensuring that Sikh representation continues to grow within the British Armed Forces.

From the battlefields of the Great War to modern day deployments, Sikh soldiers have served with courage, loyalty, and distinction.

In the First World War alone, Sikhs made up almost 20% of the British Indian Army, despite being only 2% of India’s population.

They fought on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, in East Africa and Mesopotamia, earning nearly 30% of all Indian gallantry awards.

Over 83,000 Sikhs gave their lives, and more than 100,000 were wounded in the two World Wars.

At Neuve-Chapelle in 1915, Sikh regiments fought with astonishing bravery. They advanced through relentless fire to capture German positions when others could not. In the words of one British commander:

“The Sikhs fought like lions.”

Winston Churchill later said:

“Magnificent men, brave beyond all praise. The British Empire owes them a debt it can never repay.”

That debt of blood, honour, and sacrifice must never be forgotten.

For me, this legacy is personal and deeply rooted.

My great-grandfather fought in the First World War.

My grandfather served in the Second World War.

And my father’s elder brother served proudly in the Indian Army until his retirement.

Their service and sacrifice laid the foundation for my own deep respect for the Sikh martial spirit and it is a privilege to serve as an Ambassador for the Sikh Military Foundation today.

The 1914 Sikhs Ceremonial Troop, made up of both serving UK personnel and members of the wider community, is a living, breathing tribute to those who came before us.

They stand as a symbol of the Sikh ethos: courage in the face of fear, humility in the face of victory, and service in the name of humanity.

This troop does not only belong to the Sikh community. It speaks to shared British values of duty, loyalty, and sacrifice and connects the public to a remarkable chapter of history too long overlooked.

I want to thank the British Army for their continued partnership in initiatives like this. Together, we are not only remembering history we are keeping it alive.

As Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck once said:

“The British could never have come through both World Wars if they had not had the Indian Army. And in that army, the Sikhs were among the finest soldiers in the world.”

So today, as we inaugurate this troop, let us not only honour the past let us renew its spirit.

Let us carry forward the legacy of those who fought not for conquest, but for justice, dignity, and peace.

May the story of the Sikh soldier continue to inspire generations to serve, to lead, and to stand for what is right.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh