History lessons
AMERICAN MEETS WWII VET JIMMY
CALIFORNIAN filmmaker Rishi Sharma’s project to capture the stories of World War II heroes on film is set to become an important and moving piece of history.
It will be treasured in decades to come when those who saved Europe from the Nazis are no longer with us.
Rishi’s footage will make sure the debt we owe them is never forgotten.
Race against time to record Scots heroes’ tales from front line
A YOUNG American is on a mission to document the stories of Scotland’s World War II veterans before it is too late.
Rishi Sharma, 20, has travelled from California to interview the old soldiers about their experiences.
His organisation, called Heroes of the Second World War, seek to preserve their oral histories for future generations.
Rishi said: “These guys are my real-life superheroes. I am on a mission to film-interview two or three World War II veterans every single day until the last one passes away.
“To date, I have interviewed just over 900 veterans across the US and Canada. I now want to highlight the sacrifices made by the Scottish war veterans.”
The military history buff, from Agoura, is grateful to the veterans for their sacrifice.
Rishi added: “They’ve given us the world that we have. It’s truly amazing. It is thanks to these people that we are free and able to live our lives.
“If an American Civil War veteran suddenly came back to life from the grave, all the world’s media would be hounding him, begging for an interview and using the nicest equipment and the fanciest cameras.
“What boggles my mind is that we have this opportunity with the World War II veterans. We should not wait until there is only one left to acknowledge their sacrifices and to document them. “I want them to know how grateful I am for the sacrifices they have made, which have allowed me a chance at a good life.
“I try to be an outlet in which these men can share their experiences of their war days in a censor-free environment.
“I have decided to dedicate my life to interviewing these veterans and bring awareness to their sacrifices.”
Rishi was in Fife last week to interview Black Watch veteran Jimmy Sinclair, who fought Hitler’s hordes as a Desert Rat in north Africa.
The American said: “It has been great to be in the UK and meet so many real-life heroes.
“I drove from Oxford to Aberdeen to meet combat veterans. Then I travelled to Kirkcaldy to meet Mr Sinclair, which was a real honour.
“It has been a really rewarding trip.
“It just goes to show that there are plenty of real-life heroes just a phone call away.
“I stay in contact with many of the men I interview and count them among my best friends.
“I’ll go wherever the World War II combat veterans are.
“The interviews are on average four to six hours long. They are filmed but there is absolutely no commercial aspect to this as I just provide a DVD for the veteran’s use.”