Monument to Indian Soldiers at Ho Man Tin (Homuntin/Homantin)

Submitted by moddsey on

"There is one monument, however, which is little known to most residents of the Colony and that is the one erected at Homuntin on the mainland in memory of the Indian soldiers who died fighting gloriously in France, Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotomia. The memorial is a simple granite stone of no artistic pretensions, bearing upon its surface an inscription attesting to the facts of its erection and extolling the patriotic spirit of those men from India who died for their King Emperor."

Source: Article on Hong Kong's War Memorials in the Hong Kong Telegraph 13 November 1937. Other war memorials that are still in situ and those that have since disappeared are mentioned. See: https://archive.org/details/NPTG19371113/page/n9/mode/2up?q=memorial

(Thinking of the location "Ho Man Tin", perhaps in the vicinity or within the former Indian/Muslim cemeteries)

The 1937 article mentioned above is not correct. The story behind the erection of the Indian War Memorial can be read below: 

A very impressive ceremony took place on 25 May 1928 at the Indian Cemetery, Kowloon when H. E., the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon. W. T. Southorn, C. M. G.) unveiled a Memorial to eight Indian soldiers who died during the Great War. The Memorial was erected at the joint expense of the Imperial War Graves Commission and the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund.

H. E. Major-General C. C. Luard, C. B., C. M. G. (O. C. South China Command), was among the many officers present. The Guard of Honour was supplied by the Punjabis and all Indian units were represented, Lt. Col. H. T. C. Ivens being in command.

There was also a detachment of Indian police who served in the Great War.

Addressing the ceremony, H. E. The Officer Administering the Government said:

We have assembled today to unveil a memorial of those Indian soldiers who died in Hong Kong while on active service during the Great War. It is, of course, known that these soldiers did not lose their lives by direct enemy action on the field of battle, but in as much service to the Empire required some to fight in the trenches, some to remain at the base, and some to guard the outposts of our distant possessions, the British Government decided that there should be no differentiation paid to the memory of those soldiers who lost their lives in loyal service to the Empire in her hour of need. I need not remind you of the wonderful response of the Indian Empire to the nation's call for help. From the highest to the lowest in the land our Indian brothers-in-arms flocked to the support of the British cause, and some in the course of duty were posted to Hong Kong. Here eight soldiers died, and to their memory this tablet which I have the honour to unveil has been erected at the joint expense of the Imperial War Graves Commission and the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund. May it ever be a reminder of India's honorable participation in the War, and to all races which enjoy the Pax Britannica an inspiration to loyal service to the Empire.

The Memorial which was covered with two Union Jacks was then unveiled by His Excellency, and after the Last Post had been sounded by the Buglers, a two minute silence was observed.

His Excellency then laid a wreath on the Memorial, and wreaths were also laid by H. E. Major General C. C. Luard and Lt-Col. H. T. C. Ivens, and from other units.

The Memorial is situated in a quiet valley surrounded on all sides by little hills. The Memorial is about 10 feet high and made of white Granite, and inscribed on it are the names of those who perished in the Great War.

The inscription is as follows:

"In memory of the brave Hindus and Sikhs who sacrificed their Lives in the Great War for their King and Country"

The names of the eight soldiers can be viewed in the Hong Kong Daily Press 26 May 1928. See: https://archive.org/details/NPDP19280526/page/n5/mode/2up?q=Memorial 

(Not sure if the Indian War Memorial was relocated after the closure of the cemetery in Kowloon or ceased to exist after WWII? )