Son’s keeps alive memories of his father’s efforts in the wars
HE LEFT his home in a Kashmiri village aged just 15 to join the British Merchant Navy, and ended up playing his part in two world wars.
And now, more than a century after Ghulam Hassan made the first of 150 voyages, his son is helping keep alive the memory of his contribution to the allied war effort.
Mohammed Saddique, 88, from North Leeds, was among hundreds of guests at Leeds Civic Hall yesterday at a World War One commemoration event honouring the contributions and sacrifices of Muslim and other Commonwealth soldiers who served in the British Armed Forces. The day especially honoured Sepoy Khudadad Khan, who became the first Muslim soldier to received the Victoria Cross. In total, 400,000 Muslims served in the First World War.
Mr Saddique’s father first joined the Navy in 1899 as a teenager, having left his home in Mirpur in present day Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, then part of pre-partition India, to board the ships at Mumbai. He worked as a labourer before eventually being promoted to full naval service.
Mr Saddique said: “Everything I am today is because of the sacrifices made by my father. Our family has been dedicated to serving Britain since 1899.”
Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds Council, who was one of the speakers at yesterday’s event, said: “What a great to opportunity today to set that record straight.
“We have to ensure that those untold stories do get the light shone on them. Sepoy Khan is one of those extraordinary people that we must make sure is there at the forefront of our history lessons.”