Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and New Milton mayor lead tributes to fallen WWI Indian soldiers at Barton memorial

DIGNITARIES and locals gathered to pay their respects to Indian soldiers hospitalised on the Forest during the First World War.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, and New Milton mayor Alvin Reid joined the commemoration at the Indian memorial in Barton Court Avenue.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant and mayor were escorted by a traditional Indian dhol drummer.

After a welcome address from the mayor, the exhortation was recited by 14-year-old Durlston pupil Callum Murray.

The Last Post was followed by a minute’s silence led by Callum reciting the Kohima epitaph.

Prayers and a blessing were said by the Rev Malcolm Freeman, followed by a Hindu prayer read by Poonam Paranjpe, and the Sikh Mool Mantar read by Bill Chandha.

Local historian Nick Saunders recited the names of the three Indian Soldiers who died at Barton’s convalescent depot in 1915. The memorial event ended with wreaths being laid.

Guests then moved on to the Cliff House Hotel where refreshments were served and Indian students from Bournemouth University performed a dance specially choreographed for the event and organised by New Milton Town Council and the Friends of the Indian Soldiers Group.

The Indian memorial was unveiled on 10th July 1917 and is now a listed monument.