97th anniversary of Garo Hills’ French connection
TURA: The jubilant return of a contingent of Garos who went to France to fight for the allied forces during the First World War was observed at a special cenotaph built in their honour and memory at Tura-the very same venue where their families witnessed their return 97 years ago.
It was a day of mixed feelings remembering those who had laid down their lives and also a sense of pride for all that close to a century ago as many as 500 young Garo men answered to the call of the allied forces for manpower in its fight against the Germans.
Despite an uncertain future of the road ahead and having to cross continents by sea leaving behind their families, including children, these brave souls answered to the call of the then British government and set sail in 1917 from India bound for the battlefront in France.
They were recruited under the 69th Labour Corps and would go on to aid the allied forces in the making of roads and transporting of goods all the way to the front lines during the war.
After months of serving the allies at the battlefront having to endure the harsh winter of Europe and the firing of guns all around and bombs falling from above, the Garo volunteers of the Labour Corps were repatriated to Marseilles on May 25, 1918 for their return to India. Many of them died during the long sea journey after falling sea sick and only 120 of them are said to have reached Tura where their families eagerly awaited them at Babupara. There was jubilation for many families to see their return, but it was also a day of sorrow for others whose loved ones never made it back.
To mark this special occasion, a gun salute and prayers were offered at the cenotaph in Babupara on Saturday during a government programme in which legislator of North Tura and Parliamentary Secretary, Noverfield R Marak recalled from official records the courage and bravery displayed by these men who went to France.
Out of the 500 Garo men recruited only 456 reached France the same year and were stationed at Puisieux. They were subsequently engaged in work for the allied forces at several regions including Brussels.
One of the young men recruited in the Labour Corps was the brother-in-law of the chief guest and legislator Noverfield Marak, he mentioned during the celebrations. “It was a privilege for the entire Garo community to witness their own brethren being called to duty and they proved their mettle during the war,” recalled Marak on the occasion.