The son of a Bradford war veteran has praised the unveiling of the city’s Commonwealth War Memorial as an essential landmark in teaching history and remembering the huge sacrifices made by servicemen.
Amjad Pervez’s father, Mirza Khan, was just 17-years-old when he joined the Indian Army in 1939.
During World War II, Mirza witnessed fierce fighting action in Norway, Germany, Burma, and Japan, often risking his life as Head of War Supplies – guiding camels and mules to deliver essential supplies to frontline troops.
His active service resulted in him being honoured with bravery medals from the British armed forces.
Following the partition of India in 1947, Mirza joined the Pakistan army.
After the end of World War II, Mirza moved to Pakistan before relocating to England in 1969 to help rebuild the UK economy which was decimated after the war – first living in London and then later settling in Bradford where he stills lives today at the impressive age of 102.
Now his efforts are being honoured by the only Commonwealth War Memorial in the UK outside London which was unveiled in Bradford this week.
Located at the War Memorial Gardens in the city centre, the monument honours the contributions and sacrifices of troops – listing the huge amount of Commonwealth countries that fought in the two World Wars, along with symbols of their different religions.
Amjad Pervez – a successful Bradford entrepreneur who founded the Seafresh/Adams Group – told Asian Standard of his family’s immense pride in his father, and the important significance of the memorial.
Amjad, 64, who moved to Bradford from Pakistan as a ten-year-old in 1970, said: “It’s extremely sad that so many people today protest about the state of our nation, but don’t know anything about our impressive history or the selfless sacrifices made by their forefathers.
“Hopefully this will educate them and help them fully understand how much they owe to these veterans who are now finally being honoured in such a special way.”
Amjad added: “We’re all extremely proud of my father. Not only did he fight in the Second World War, but then answered the call of the UK Government for soldiers from the commonwealth countries to move to England and play their part in re-generating the economy. He worked firstly on the railways and then later in the textile industry before retiring.
“The unveiling of the monument was an extremely moving experience. Sadly, he couldn’t go due to his difficulty in walking, but he asked me to go and take a message to the authorities that whilst being extremely grateful for the monument, why had it taken so many years to build it and why weren’t there similar monuments in other key UK cities?”
The tribute was first discussed in 2021 after a review by Bradford Council of its statues and memorials, and Bradford-based charity SHAPE-UK Ltd began work on developing the monument.
The memorial was unveiled by Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Bev Mullaney, alongside Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Ed Anderson, Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth, and veterans.
It also includes the inscription: “The Bradford Commonwealth war memorial stands as a poignant testament to soldiers from across Commonwealth countries, who united in the pursuit of peace and freedom. By recognising and remembering them, we will continue to strengthen our shared values and commitment to building a better world.”
Cllr Mullaney said: “This is incredibly important for us as a city and district to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of those who contributed to the UK’s war efforts from Commonwealth countries.”
Councillor Joanne Dodds, Bradford Council’s Armed Forces Champion, added: “This is a significant day for Bradford as we unveil the first Commonwealth War Memorial outside of London. It will be an important space for all communities to come together within our Memorial Garden and remember the sacrifices made by Commonwealth nations during the world wars.”
The design of the Commonwealth War Memorial, carefully crafted to reflect both history and unity, has been led by Landscape Architect Saira Ali.
Saira said: “Creating this memorial was an honour. We aimed to design a space that not only reflects the deep respect we hold for the Commonwealth troops but also serves as a place of peace and remembrance for all. It reinforces our commitment to remembering and uniting communities around shared sacrifices. The Memorial Garden in which it stands offers a quiet, reflective environment, where the beauty of nature complements the solemnity of the monument”
The unveiling marks a momentous occasion for Bradford, enhancing the city’s legacy as a place of shared heritage and collective memory. As a central focal point for remembrance events in the district, the Commonwealth War Memorial will help foster a deeper understanding of our diverse past and the sacrifices made for our future.
Cllr Kamran Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “This memorial is not just a symbol of remembrance but also one of unity, bringing together people from all backgrounds to honour a shared history. It stands as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from our diverse communities.”
It is also hoped that it has a role in educating schoolchildren on the fact that people from diverse cultures and backgrounds were involved in the First and Second World Wars.
