Forgotten Battlefields: The Indian Corps at Neuve-Chapelle

Alongside a busy road in Northern France, the Star of India rises from between two weeping willows, commemorating the thousands of Indian Army soldiers who died in the trenches of the Western Front. What took place at Neuve-Chapelle and what was India’s story in the early years of the Great War?

9 Comments on “Forgotten Battlefields: The Indian Corps at Neuve-Chapelle”

Trevor Phillips
November 30, 2020

Another excellent episode. I grew up in the New Forest near the village of Brockenhurst which was basically turned into a major hospital centre for the Indian Army Corps. A large temporary hospital was built from corrugated iron (nicknamed ‘Tin Town’ by the locals) and several big houses and hotels were also commandeered. Some of those wounded at Neuve-Chapelle would have ended up here, and those unfortunate enough not to recover from their wounds would have been cremated and had their ashes scattered in the nearby woods. The facilities were handed over to the New Zealanders when the Indian Corps left for Egypt at the end of 1915 but the village marked their presence after the war by renaming a street ‘Meerut Road’.

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- oldfrontline
  November 30, 2020
  
  Thanks, Trevor, fascinating!
  
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Nigel Marshall
November 30, 2020

My knowledge of WW1 increases each week after listening to these great podcasts. Whilst I enjoy reading military history these really put you on the ground so to speak with the photographs and personal stories adding to the listening experience.

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- oldfrontline
  November 30, 2020
  
  Thank you, Nigel.
  
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N Cherry
December 1, 2020

A classic! Always good that the forgotten battles of 1915 get a mention……I think the Indians got a rough deal in 1915 but I guess there weren’t many other troops to take the brunt. Excellent!

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- oldfrontline
  December 1, 2020
  
  Thanks, Niall.
  
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Chris Frazer
December 4, 2020

From my Grandfather’s WW1 diary:
20-9-15
Everything looks as if there is a big movement on foot. I have been out practically all day with secret and confidential messages. Doullens is swarming with Indian Cavalry.

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- oldfrontline
  December 4, 2020
  
  Fascinating!
  
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Stephen Hunt
December 5, 2020

An excellent podcast about some often overlooked battles of the Great War.

I was lucky enough to visit them with you on Leger’s 90th anniversary tour in 2005.

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