As the UK prepares to commemorate VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945, it’s a moment to reflect on the extraordinary contributions made by millions from across the British Empire — including 2.5 million men from the Indian subcontinent, the largest volunteer army in history at the time.
Among them was Sergeant Mohammed Hussain, who left his small village of Mohra Bhuttia in what is now Pakistan to join the British Indian Army aged just 16. Motivated by the capture and torture of his older brother in Burma, he ran away from home in 1941 to fight for a cause he believed in — standing against fascism and tyranny.
Eighty years on, his story serves as a poignant reminder that the sacrifices made by South Asian soldiers during the Second World War must never be forgotten.
Sergeant Hussain, who went on to serve in some of the most pivotal battles of the war, including the brutal Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy, is passionate about educating future generations on the importance of remembrance and unity.
“We are all one under God,” he reflects. “They were on one side, and we were on another. Destiny decided where we were.”
His grandson Ejaz shares how his grandfather’s journey began with a decision that defied his parents’ wishes. “Because of what had happened to his brother, his parents said he couldn’t join the army – so he ran away from home!” Ejaz said.
After rigorous training, the young recruit rose through the ranks to become a Sergeant, serving as both a gunner and a wireless operator. He was under the command of Field Marshal Montgomery and fought across various European theatres.
One of the most dramatic episodes of his military career came on 26 April 1945, during the final days of the war. His regiment encountered a wooden bridge that German forces had set alight during their retreat. In a moment of instinctive brilliance, Sergeant Hussain fired explosive shells into the river below the bridge, dousing the flames with a surge of water — enabling his comrades to pursue the fleeing enemy.
But the heroism went unrewarded.
“His commanding officer, whose name I won’t mention, claimed the act as his own and was awarded the Military Cross,” Ejaz said. “The mention in dispatches never named my grandfather. He wrote to the Ministry of Defence, but the only witness was the nephew of the man who took the credit. Grandad bore that scar all his life.”
After the war, Mohammed Hussain continued his military service in Pakistan until a devastating accident in 1958 left him with a broken neck. He spent 18 months in intensive care and was forced into retirement. Later, he moved to the UK, where he built a new life and brought his children over — including Ejaz’s father, who arrived aged ten.
Despite the injustices he faced, Sergeant Hussain remains committed to the ideals of peace and unity.
“The things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us,” he says. “Whether it’s Eid, Diwali or Christmas, we should open the doors to one another.”
As Britain becomes more aware of its diverse wartime history, stories like Sergeant Hussain’s are crucial in ensuring that the contribution of South Asian soldiers is not lost in time. For Ejaz and his family, this mission of remembrance is deeply personal.
“My grandfather’s message is simple,” Ejaz said. “Please do not forget. The sacrifices and the blood that was shed was for you. Always try to bring people together — that is how we triumphed in World War Two, and that is how we can triumph now.”
