FLANDERS – FORGOTTEN HEROES
MOST of the school teaching about World War I neglects the role played by people from the Indian sub-continent who fought on the Western Front in the service of the British Empire.
Flanders – Forgotten Heroes aims to put the record straight. By looking at letters home from Indian soldiers, the project will show that it was not just a European war.
It will culminate in a visit to Woking, Surrey where a number of the forgotten heroes of the war lie buried and the neighbouring Shah Jehan Mosque. Britain’s first purpose built Mosque.
It will have an important message about the central role played by Empire troops in the war and show how a heritage site can be used as an historical resource.
The project can form part of the World Study after 1900 unit in year 9 or be used as the basis for a GCSE coursework assignment.
We especially hope the project will be of interest to history teachers working with students whose family backgrounds are from the Indian sub-continent and who are challenged in making their teaching relevant to everyone.
John McLaverty
Head of Humanities
Swanlea School
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