CWGC First World War Punjab Registers Event - Birmingham

Join CWGC and partners for an inspiring afternoon of talks, remembrance, and discovery exploring the untold stories of over 300,000 Punjabi soldiers who served during WWI.

Hosted in the Chamberlain Room at Birmingham Council House, this is a powerful chance to reconnect with forgotten histories and help restore dignity to those long left out of official remembrance.

Free entry – registration required.

What to Expect

• A series of short, powerful presentations from historians and heritage organisations including CWGC, UKPHA, and the University of Greenwich
• Personal stories of South Asian soldiers who served in the First and Second World Wars
• Introduction to the WW1 Punjab Registers – a unique archive documenting over 300,000 colonial soldiers, nearly 16,000 believed to have died
• Interactive research session where trained volunteers will help attendees search for family members or community figures in the Punjab Registers
• A welcoming, inclusive environment for heritage and remembrance
• Refreshments provided

Why Attend?

This event offers a powerful opportunity to reconnect with overlooked histories and honour the legacy of Punjabi soldiers who served during the First World War. Whether you're exploring your own family roots, passionate about inclusive remembrance, or simply curious to learn more about Britain’s diverse wartime past, this afternoon brings together expert voices, community stories, and valuable resources. By attending, you’ll be part of a national effort to address historical gaps in commemoration, learn from leading researchers and heritage organisations, and contribute to a more representative understanding of sacrifice, service, and memory. It’s more than an event — it’s a step toward restoring dignity to thousands of individuals whose names have too long been missing from official history.

Our talks/tours are free to the public, but if you would like to support us then please consider donating to our charity The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation (CWGF).

https://foundation.cwgc.org/donate/

The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation (CWGF) aims to actively engage all communities with the work of the CWGC by telling the inspiring stories through education and outreach projects.

The CWGF is an independent charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (1171947) and Scotland (SC051982).