## TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT: THE SIKH MEMORIAL FUND ## April 2020 - March 2021 ## WW1 SIKH MEMORIAL FUND Charity number 1160515 Chairman: J. Singh-Sohal Trustees: Dr Pavandeep Sandhu, Manjit Sohal Secretary: Sukhmani Vig Annual Report April 2020 – March 2021 Published in January 2022 ## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT** The Sikh Memorial Fund has had a difficult year in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the impact this has had on gatherings. Nonetheless, the “WW1 Sikh Memorial” was host to two major commemoration events this year, and our officers did a sterling job assisting in organising both. On 12[th] September, the memorial hosted the annual commemoration of Saragarhi Day. The National Memorial Arboretum grounds proved perfect for allowing a large contingent of Armed Forces personnel to safely gather outdoors and at a social distance, to be able to pay their respects on the battle honour day. Wreaths were laid and speeches made, and the entire event was filmed by the British Army and shared across all of Defence’ social media platforms. Thus, I’m pleased the Sikh memorial was able to reach new audiences in this virtual way. On 1[st] November, as is always the case, the fund organised an event ahead of the national Remembrance Day to remember Sikh service and sacrifice during the World Wars. Once more we were restricted by rules around gathering, and so could only allow six people to attend to law wreaths. This opportunity was given to representative members of the Army and RAF as well as (for the first time) members of the Police with officers from West Midlands attending. Despite the small number, it was an intimate occasion to create new friendships with police representatives and I hope they will continue to visit the Sikh Memorial with their colleagues when they visit the new Police memorial when it is unveiled. The fund was content that the limit to social events saw a significant reduction in budgetary lines with no donations received to support our work. This meant our five volunteers associated with the fund and our trustees continued to give their time when they could in support of the charity. Nonetheless, we supported the Saragarhi event with a professional photographer to use the opportunity to gather images and material for wider distribution and marketing purposes in future. Capt. J. Singh-Sohal VR Chairman STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES SIKH MEMORIAL FUND.. INCOME and EXPENDITURE *orOI April 2020- 31 M•rch 2021 Date Expendlture Income Notes Balance carried 0111012020 Saragarhi Day 2020 photography 11111/2020 NMA Wreath for ceremony 958.27 250 18 Totals 958.27 Account Balanc• 690.27 ## **ANNUAL WW1 SIKH MEMORIAL GATHERING: NOVEMBER 2020** On the first Sunday of November, as per usual, we gathered at the Sikh Memorial albeit in much smaller numbers due to COVID restrictions restricting us to six people only. Representatives of the Police Constabulary joined members of the Army, Navy and RAF to pay tribute to Sikh service. Despite this, we were able to share the small gathering with our followers and supports online. ## **SARAGARHI DAY COMMEMORATION: SEPTEMBER 2020** Saragarhi Day is an annual commemoration of an epic battle that took place on the North West Frontier (modern day Pakistan near the Afghanistan border) in 1897. It is a commemoration day that has been marked in the UK since 2013 by the British Army, and since our Chairman Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal rekindled interest in it by bringing back to the UK the official marking of the battle honour day in 2013 (it had previously been marked each year since Independence in 1947 by the Indian Army as the regiment involved is an Indian one) . Due to COVID restrictions this large community event was scaled back. We were pleased therefore to assist the British Army and Defence Sikh Network in hosting the commemoration day at the WW1 Sikh Memorial. The event was attended by representations of the Army, Royal Navy and RAF as well as Major General Celia Harvey who is the Deputy Commander of the Field Army. Ends.