Plan for mural of war hero Sepoy Khudadad Khan on toilet near Barton's Indian memorial branded 'an insult'

A BID to install a mural depicting a First World War hero on the rear wall of public toilets in Barton was branded “an insult” by councillors.

New Milton Town Council’s amenities committee criticised the proposal by the recently-formed Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial (FISM) at a recent meeting.

The Friends group wants to honour Sepoy Khudadad Khan, the first British Indian soldier to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Although supporting the recognition of the troops’ in the 1914-18 conflict, committee members slammed the mural’s proposed siting on the New Forest District Council WC, near the Indian memorial.

Cllr Valya Schooling said: “I’m utterly opposed to having a mural of a brave soldier on the back of a toilet!

“It’s an absolute disgrace. I can’t believe that anyone would think it was great idea.

“That’s not the place to put a picture of an officer of the Indian Army.”

Sepoy Khudadad received the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy for his actions while fighting at Hollebeke in Belgium on 31st October 1914.

Despite being severely wounded, the 26-year-old worked his gun until the other five men of the gun detachment he led had been killed.

He was informed he would be receiving the award while being treated at Barton’s convalescent depot for Indian troops.

Although praising the great bravery shown by Sepoy Khudadad, Cllr Steve Clarke stressed he was an officer.

He called for something that would also recognise the thousands of “ordinary” Indian soldiers who served.

Councillors instead suggested a mural depicting Indian troops in general, as well as Sepoy Khudadad, be placed on a separate plinth by the obelisk.

Cllr Clarke concluded: “If we’re going to recognise the contribution of soldiers from around the world, it needs to be an image of ordinary soldiers, along with the officer – and not on the back of the toilets!”

Members agreed to defer the matter pending discussions with the Friends group.

Speaking to the A&T afterwards, a FISM spokesperson maintained the National Army Museum had raised no objection to the mural’s proposed siting.

“As a Friends group we are only interested in making the history of the Indian Army in the New Forest available to a much wider audience but particularly the relatives of those who served in it,” they said.

“Our group is multicultural and we are all mindful of cultural sensitivities so will not be doing anything that doesn’t have the backing of all our members.”

The spokesperson argued Sepoy Khudadad represented the bravery of the Indian Army as a whole to the Allies in the First World War.

Group members former town councillor Goff Beck and Milton Heritage Society chair Nick Saunders are due to address the next amenities meeting on 28th February.