A new war memorial honouring Sikh soldiers who served in the British Indian Army has been proposed for a west London park, with plans estimated to cost up to £2 million in privately raised funds.
The project, commissioned by Conservative peer Lord Rami Ranger on behalf of the British Sikh Association, would see a 5ft 9in (1.8m) bronze statue of a Sikh soldier installed in Southall Manor House Grounds.
The statue would stand on a padstone surrounded by three steps, featuring an engraving dedicated to Sikh troops who fought and died during the First and Second World Wars.
A fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Sikh soldiers serving the two World Wars
More than 83,000 Sikh soldiers lost their lives while serving under the British Empire in the two World Wars. The proposed monument will recognise their courage and the enduring legacy of Sikh service within the British military tradition.
The inscription also references the Battle of Saragarhi (1897) – a historic last stand in which 21 Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army defended a remote Afghan post against thousands of attackers. Military historians often regard the battle as one of the greatest feats of collective bravery in history.
A Sikh memorial in Southall to be completed by September 2026
Ealing Council previously gave approval in principle for a Sikh memorial in Southall, but the applicant later revised the design and proposed moving it to the Manor House Grounds to consolidate existing commemorative features within the park.
If approved, construction is expected to begin later this summer, with completion scheduled for September 2026. The plans are currently out for public consultation until 28 April.
Residents and community groups have been invited to share their views on the design and location before a final decision is made.