“Duty, Honour & Izzat – The Call to Flanders Fields”, a poignant and powerful exhibit showcasing the pivotal but little known role of the British Indian Army in the First World War, is now on display at the Okanagan Heritage Museum in Kelowna for the month of August.
Presented by the Indus Media Foundation in partnership with Simon Fraser University, this important and evocative exhibit has made its much anticipated stop in Kelowna.
The centennial of the 1914-1918 First World War (WW1) is a historic opportunity for Canadians to commemorate those that lost their lives, and to inform today’s youth and diverse communities about the significance of those sacrifices. Canada has a proud Great War record and while its achievements are celebrated, the story of some veterans who fought under the same flag and side by side with Canadians has largely gone untold. These veterans belong to the Punjabi community and they played a pivotal role in the First World War.
“Duty, Honour & Izzat – The Call to Flanders Fields” uses displays that showcase in fascinating detail and vivid visuals the sacrifices made by Punjabis serving in the British Indian army during the First World War. It examines their motivations for going to war and highlights the vital role they played fighting alongside their Canadian brothers-in-arms and other allied powers in the pursuit of victory in what came to be known as the ‘Great War for Civilisation.’
On display at the Okanagan Heritage Museum, located at 470 Queensway Avenue for the month of August, 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday. Don’t miss out on learning more about this proud and fascinating period in history.