ALBION will be highlighting the huge contribution of the Sikh Regiment in the Allies' Great War effort when the Club stages its Remembrance fixture on Saturday.
The Baggies have been working with the 1914 Sikhs, an Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail initiative, highlighting the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers in the First World War.
Tomorrow’s fixture against Leeds United will see the two teams wearing the poppy emblem as the Club observes tributes to the fallen with special reference being made this year to the centenary of the end of World War I.
One of the lesser-known stories from the huge loss of life during that conflict is the contribution from the then British Empire’s dominions which saw the largest volunteer army ever assembled in India.
Some 1.2m Indians enlisted of which 20 per cent were Sikhs and tens of thousands of Sikh soldiers found themselves on the front line seeing action in Europe, the Middle-East, and East Africa.
It is estimated that more than 83,000 Sikhs died and a further 121,000 were wounded.
Tomorrow, members of the 1914 Sikhs project will help provide the guard of honour a week after a 10ft statue of a Sikh soldier, commissioned by Guru Nanak Gurdwara, was unveiled in Smethwick town centre to commemorate their brave contribution.
The bronze work honours service personnel of all faiths from the Indian subcontinent who fought for Britain during WWI and other conflicts.