Australians of Indian Heritage War MemorialPrint Page 
The War Memorial commemorates soldiers of Indian heritage who served the British Commonwealth in both World Wars.
Very little is known in Australia about millions of service men and women of Indian Heritage, of pre-independence and undivided India, who fought on the British side in World Wars One and Two. In World War One, 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought and 74,000 lost their lives. At Gallipoli; 15,000 fought and 1,500 lost their lives. In World War Two; 2.5 million Indian servicemen and women fought and 87,000 lost their lives. Indian soldiers were the largest single contingent of all Britain’s colonies and dominions.
Most importantly, several soldiers of Indian Heritage actually represented Australia (in addition to the millions who represented Britain) in the Wars, whose contribution also went unrecognised.
The unveiling of the War Memorial for the Australians of Indian Heritage was performed at Sunnybank RSL, Brisbane on 18 November 2017. It was a historic event and first of its kind in Australia.
Subsequently, a similar War Memorial was unveiled at Hornsby RSL Sub-branch, Cherrybrook Community and Cultural Centre, Sydney on 10 November 2018.
In Brisbane, the initiative was taken by Mr. Surendra Prasad OAM, Advisor to the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc and a Director of the Hindu Council of Australia, who formed a committee named: the Australians of Indian Heritage War Memorial Committee (AIHWMC). After lobbing with the government and through the help of Mr Nick Monsour financial help was obtained from the Federal government. An Education Bursary of $1000 was also setup in the memories of the fallen Australian-Indian soldiers.
In Sydney, the initiative was taken by the Hindu Council of Australia with the Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch lobbying with the support of Mr. Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra. A grant was received from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to establish the memorial at the Cherrybrook Community and Cultural Centre.
Hindu Council of Australia, 24 March 2022.
Location
| Address: | 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank RSL, Sunnybank, 4109 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.577516 Long: 153.057061 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
| Designer: | Bianca Archer |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 11th November, 2017 |
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In Memory Of
AUSTRALIANS OF INDIAN HERITAGE
Who Have Served In Defence of Australia
And Have Made The Supreme Sacrifice
