Caption: Indian Army officers at Hampton Court, pre-Great War
About the talk: Why did over 4,000 soldiers from the Indian Army visit Hampton Court Palace over 100 years ago? They bivouacked there on a number of occasions in the early 20th century as they were invited to join the coronation celebrations of Edward VII (1902), George V (1911) and George VI (1937) as well as the Great War Peace parades in 1919. For some, this would have been their first visit to England.
This talk will also discuss the origins of a new exhibition at Hampton Court Palace which focuses on the visits by many Indian Army units in the early 20th century. It also looks at the relationship between a local Hampton Court resident and the revolutionary suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and the Indian Army. Here's a link to the exhibition (just click to view).It's on until 25th September 2025.
Hampton Court Palace exhibition
About the speaker: I am a medical doctor by day. My great-grandfather was Subadar-Major Bawa Singh, 23rd Sikh Pioneers Regiment. I am also part of the UKPHA team (UK Punjab Heritage Association) and we are currently digitising WW1 recruitment records from pre-partition Punjab. I'm one of the community curators' on this exhibition alongside a community initiative called "a little history of the Sikhs".
Where we meet: We meet at the Royal British Legion Club, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1DH. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month (except June, July, August and December). Talks start at 19:30, with the doors (and the bar) opening at 18:30. No entrance fees but we do welcome donations of £5 or more towards our costs.
How to get there: The club is next to Morrison's supermarket and Petts Wood railway station (trains from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and Victoria). Parking at the rear of the club is free but you need to enter your car registration into the machine (on the left as you enter the club). Failure to enter your registration can lead to a £50 fine. There's easy free parking in adjacent side streets.