Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what commemorations her Department (a) has held and (b) plans to hold to mark the centenary of First World War and the participation of Muslim soldiers from the Indian subcontinent who fought alongside British and French troops on the Western Front.

Our First World War Centenary programme reflects the contribution of all combatant nations. The first events on 4th August 2014 had a clear Commonwealth focus and we continue to invite representatives from participant nations to all our events such as those held this year, on 1 July, to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. This will continue next year when we commemorate the centenary of Passchendaele – The Third Battle of Ypres.

In addition we gave considerable support to events held on 10 March 2015 at the National Memorial Arboretum and Imperial War Museum Manchester to mark the centenary of the Indian Army’s involvement at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. This brought together British Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs to honour their contribution.

Also in March 2015, 45 Victoria Cross commemorative paving stones were laid in the National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate individuals born overseas, several of the men served in the British Indian Army.

Together with partners Government has also funded the restoration of the Memorial Garden at Horsell Common in Woking. This provides a focal point to bring the Muslim and wider community together to commemorate the First World War.