Plaque to remember wounded Indian soldiers

Indian soldiers injured on the Western Front in World War One are set to be remembered with a plaque at the site of a former military hospital.

About 100 soldiers from the British Indian Army first arrived in Bournemouth to be cared for at the Mont Dore Hotel.

A plaque will be unveiled at the site, now the Bournemouth Civic Centre, on Bourne Avenue on 20 November.

The date marks the 110th anniversary of the troops' arrival in in the seaside town in 1914.

Requisitioned by the government to become a military hospital under War Office supervision it became the No. 8A Indian General Hospital Mont Dore.

BCP Council said after the arrival of the first 100 soldiers the military hospital cared for "a constant stream of troops" for the next year.

Ramesh Lal, Chairman of the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (BCP) Indian Community Association said: "This commemorative plaque is a way to honour our ancestors, strengthen our ties with the community, and ensure that the legacy of the Indian soldiers is never forgotten.

"Further, this project establishes a deeper connection to the town's history and fosters a sense of belonging for Indian Community living in the area today."

Soldiers who recovered at the hospital formed cricket and football teams in the town and organised matches against local sides.

A large number of recovering troops were also sent to convalescent camps at Milford on Sea and Barton on Sea.

The military hospital went on to treat soldiers of the Australian & New Zealand and the British Armies.

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