Colourful Heritage
@ColourHeritage
Capturing the stories of early Muslim & South Asian migrants to Scotland. Over 130 video stories & much more! The largest online multimedia archive of its kind.
Yesterday, I was honoured to attend the funeral of Daffadar (Sergeant) Mohammed Hussain, 6th Lancers. #WW2 I last saw Dfdr. Hussain at the @PoppyLegion #FestivalofRemembrance in 2024. He hailed from Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi district - a region which provided an unparalleled…
Discover more about the bravery of the late #WW2 Veteran Sgt Muhammed Hussains personal story of sacrifice and bravery: britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/r… He also features in the 'Great Faith Stories' project (portrait no 9) along with other Muslims veterans : greatfaith.co.uk/portraits/
It would be great to see his work transformed into a film. So many hidden stories brought to life by Ghee.
Shocked and saddened to read this. Ghee was such a lovely person and so interested in the story of Indian soldiers. Of late he had been so excited about developing the story into a film. Heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. He will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m reading ‘The Indian Contingent’ and have been absolutely fascinated by it. Impressive scholarly research and a great instinct for the human dimension makes it gripping reading. Very grateful to him for his work on this.
At this #VJDay80event organised by @ColourHeritage at Edinburgh Gurdwara it was an honour for EIFA secretary Wege Singh to read the @ScotGovFM statement & CG of @IndiaInScotland to share some words to honour the 4M soldiers of South Asia #ForgottenArmy #HonourAndRemember
Consul General was honoured to join the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Edinburgh, hosted by Edinburgh Interfaith Association. He paid tribute to the Indian Army, including Force K6, and all Indian soldiers who served with courage and…
An honour to organise a #VJDay80 multifaith programme with Edinburgh Gurdwara & EIFA & have speakers @FoysolChoudhury, @IndiaInScotland & Maj Gen Bob Bruce, Governor of @edinburghcastle & Prof Goldblatt to share powerful stories & thoughts to remember the 4M soldiers #WW1 & #WW2
Honoured to speak at VJ Day 80 at Edinburgh Gurdwara. Remembering the Forgotten Army of South Asia - 2.5M soldiers from Bangladesh, India & Pakistan who served in WWII. Their sacrifices for our safety & future must never be forgotten. #VJDay80 #ForgottenArmy #HonourAndRemember
Just saw this. Extremely sad news. Never met Ghee but we were mutual follows here and he was always kind to me. He leaves a rich contribution to Indian and South Asian military history.
It is with great sadness, we share the passing away of Dr @GheeBowman on Sat 10th May. Since 2017 he worked with us on many projects. His loss leaves a profound void & his legacy will be his 2 books & website on #ForceK6: forcek6.org.uk/2022/10/05/wer… @adilray @SayeedaWarsi @DrMFaisal
We owe Mohammed and the millions of his comrades fm across the #Commonwealth who volunteered to fight for the freedoms we enjoy today, an enormous debt of gratitude. Friends indeed, today their kin add colour, dimension & depth to our island’s rich story.
The late Centenarian #WW2 veteran Sgt Mohd Hussain joined the British Army aged 16 & bravely fought in Monte Cassino capturing Hitlers elite to protect Britain. Watch his short video in his own words on what he would like to be remembered for: youtu.be/CD_hmOXSzFg?si… #Sacrifice
The Stories of Sacrifice project was run in collaboration with @ColourHeritage to discover veterans with a link to 🏴& our work including portrait nos 10, 23, 43, 45 and 51 painted by @arabelladorman. A link to explore the project is on our website: colourfulheritage.com/stories-of-sac…
We extend our sincere gratitude to @arabelladorman, the renowned British war artist, for her kind invitation and for the remarkable portrait of our great-grandfather, Mir Dast Afridi, recipient of the VC the UK’s highest award for gallantry.
Did you know 85 years ago today on 28th May 1940, Major Akbar Khan marched at the head of 299 #Muslim #ForceK6 soldiers along Dunkirk beach before they were evacuated to Britain. Click link to hear late Dr @GheeBowman in podcast or discover thru his books: colourfulheritage.com/british-indo-p…
The funeral is happening this Saturday 31st at 14:00 BST. It is being streamed on Zoom; if you would like the link, please DM this account. We'll reply to messages on Friday. Feel free to share if there are others who would want to know the news. Thanks, Hans Michel-Bowman (2/2)
This is Hans, Ghee Bowman's child. I am really sad to announce that Ghee passed away on Saturday 10th May, after being ill with brain cancer for about a year. He was 63 years old; we are absolutely heartbroken. (1/2)
'Forgotten Soldiers of South Asia' event for #veday80thanniversary & #greatbritishfoodfestival by @ColourHeritage & @CentralGurdwara Glasgow was filmed for @sikhchannel which will be shown on Wed 28th May 2025 at 9pm (on sky channel 762) Pls share widely with friends and family!
On behalf of @ColourHeritage friends & family & the South Asian community in Scotland, we thank him for his service & duty. His story is of sacrifice & resilience. He was one of the last surviving Sikh #WW2 veterans in UK. May he rest in peace. britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/r…
Havildar-Major Rajinder Singh Dhatt M.B.E. (1921-2025). A life of service and duty ends after 103 years. The last of the war-time generation whose immeasurable contribution to humanity will never be forgotten. A physical training instructor in the Royal Indian Army Service…
As part of #veday80thanniversary and #thegreatbritishfood festival @InvernessMasjid , hosted for a 2nd time Hamish Johnston to deliver a talk this time during Friday prayers to the full congregation of men and women & local visitors to share the story of #muslim #ForceK6 soldiers
As part of the #thegreatbritishfoodfestival during #VEDay80 @InvernessMasjid hosted Hamish Johnston to give a fab presentation to S1 pupils @MillburnAcademyInver about Muslim #ForceK6 soldiers & their connection to Scotland. A gr8 educational event to teach #oursharedhistory 🙌🙏
“They didn’t just help win the war, they helped rejuvenate the economy. Without their contribution, the UK would not have recovered the way it did.” Amjad Pervez (son of 103 yr old surviving WW2 veteran Mirza Khan from @bradfordcouncil: asianstandard.co.uk/bradfords-mirz…
As Britain becomes more aware of its diverse wartime history, stories like Sergeant Hussain’s) one of the signatories) are crucial in ensuring that the contribution of South Asian soldiers is not lost in time: asianstandard.co.uk/ve-day-south-a… @adilray
“Last month, 10 second world war veterans, including former UK, Indian and US personnel, urged the public, in an open letter released by the Together coalition… to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.” Read more: theguardian.com/world/2025/may… 1/2
I benefited from and admired Ghee’s work long before we finally met, in Exeter, in March. The sensitivity with which he explored lives of long ago & people with backgrounds very different to his own, was an inspiration. Deepest sympathies to his family.
It is with great sadness, we share the passing away of Dr @GheeBowman on Sat 10th May. Since 2017 he worked with us on many projects. His loss leaves a profound void & his legacy will be his 2 books & website on #ForceK6: forcek6.org.uk/2022/10/05/wer… @adilray @SayeedaWarsi @DrMFaisal