How new memorial fountain off Mill Road in Cambridge to honour United Indian Army could look

This is how a new memorial fountain honouring the fallen heroes of the United Indian Army could look when it is built off Mill Road in Cambridge.

The project is being led by Mill Road Traders and the mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Baiju Thittala, in tribute to the Army’s soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars.

About 1.4 million soldiers from India served in the First World War, with more than 74,000 of them losing their lives. In the Second World War, 2.5 million served and 87,000 were killed.

Abdul Arain, secretary of Mill Road Traders, said: “This memorial will serve as a powerful symbol of sustainability and a tribute to the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the United Indian Army and strengthen ties between the United Kingdom as a whole and Cambridge as a host city and the diverse communities that call it home.

“By fostering unity and remembrance through a shared historical and cultural narrative and by integrating modern, eco-friendly technology, the memorial will stand as a powerful symbol of peace, cultural harmony and hope for generations to come.”

The plan is to build the fountain in the gardens of Ditchburn Place off Mill Road, next to the Gateway from India arch that was installed in 2023 following a three-year project begun by hairdresser Piero D’Angelico, who saved the stones that once adorned a Hindu shrine in the Old Library building on Mill Road from heading to the skip.

The concept for the water fountain followed discussions between Piero, of Mill Road Traders, and the mayor.

Piero said: “After attending a Remembrance Day service with the mayor, he explained to me about the huge sacrifice made during the world wars by the United Indian Army and the Commonwealth nations but that there was no specific memorial built for them. Given the huge sacrifice they made, dying for the freedom of the world, I felt it was absolutely necessary that we do something to change this situation.

“We have worked together to come up with the plans for this fountain, which will be built in beautiful pink marble and hopefully will be a fitting tribute to the soldiers.”

Piero said bullet holes – each representing a Commonwealth nation – feature in the design.

“The message is very simple: they took a bullet for the freedom of the world,” he added.

The foundation, expected to be funded via public donations, will require planning permission.

It will commemorate soldiers from diverse nations – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, South-East Asian nations, and Commonwealth nations – who fought for the cause in the wars.

Cllr Thittala said of the United Indian Army: “They formed the largest all-volunteer force in history. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for global peace, multicultural connections, and the freedoms we cherish today.”

The fountain aims to honour the soldiers’ bravery, foster cultural unity, and serve as an enduring symbol of remembrance and peace.

The mayor and Mill Road Traders will hold an event to mark the start of the project at 3.15pm on Friday, 21 March at Ditchburn Place on Mill Road, Cambridge.

Members of the community are invited to learn more about the project, ask questions and see the designs. The project launch will be attended by city officials, historians, military representatives and community leaders.