The contribution of many South Asians in the World Wars has been acknowledged in recent years. Here though, is the story of one forgotten hero.

Germany had invaded Poland on the 1 September 1939, Neville Chamberlain issued a warning that Great Britain and France would have no choice but to come to Poland’s aid if Germany had not withdrawn by 3 September.

Germany ignored the threat leaving no choice but for Allied troops of France and Great Britain to declare war on Germany. Thus, began the Second World war on the 3 September 1939.

As the British were ruling India at the time, Indians were expected to fight for Great Britain, a total of two and a half million Indian soldiers went to battle.

Many fought under the premise of freedom for India, in exchange for their commitment in war, to Great Britain. My grandad, Fazal Din was married and had two daughters.

He was thirty when he volunteered to enlist in the British Army in 1939, his times as a soldier led him to fight in Iraq, Iran, Singapore and Japan.

My grandfather was nicknamed ‘Fellow’ by the British, a name which stuck with him. All the family would call him this not knowing it was simply a polite word for gentleman.

His older brother, Bahadar Shah Zaffer had fought in both World Wars.

After victory Fazal was offered a home in England by his commanding officer, Aberdeen Richard. He declined this as he had a wife and children in India.

Fazal needed to go back to Malerkotla in India due to family commitments.

Everyone believed the move to Pakistan was a temporary one. Fazal later migrated to Pakistan in 1947 when the partition of India and Pakistan finally took place.

The incentive of an independent country of India and Pakistan was not given but instead had to be fought for by Mohammed Ali Jinah, an Oxford graduate who was suffering from TB at the time.

The only two people who knew were himself and his sister Maryam Bai Jinna.

The fear was if his illness was known, the British would prolong the country of Pakistan. An independent Muslim country that was the brain child of the philosopher Doctor Ilama, a Muslim theologian.

In 1939, 208,000 Indian soldiers went from Rajput to join the frontlines and fight for Great Britain.

They controlled the Anakin front of the boundary in India.

Many Indians and Pakistani’s who experienced hundreds and thousands of casualties seem to be the forgotten heroes of both World Wars.