Students contribute to Royal British Legion exhibition honouring 'Forgotten Army'
LJMU students have supported the launch of a new Royal British Legion (RBL) exhibition unveiled at Liverpool’s Central Library to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and to honour the vital part played by the British Indian Army.
The exhibition centres around a bronze sculpture, created by British artist Mahtab Hussain in partnership with the RBL, depicting five figures in uniform, representing the diverse nature of the British Indian Army, including Gurkhas, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus.
Students studying a range of subjects with LJMU’s Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries, and the wider Faculty of Society and Culture, spent their summer working in collaboration with Mahtab and the RBL’s Community Engagement team to bring to life some of the stories behind the sculpture for the wider Royal British Legion ‘Forgotten Army’ exhibition, which will remain on display in Liverpool until mid-November.
As part of the exhibition members of the community can undertake an augmented reality (AR) experience, designed by LJMU students, where they can immerse themselves in the stories of those from South Asia who served in the Second World War.
Students also co-produced The Forgotten Army website that sits alongside the exhibition and includes shadow puppet animations, interviews, archival imagery and a timeline of the contributions made by Commonwealth soldiers during the war campaign.
In addition, students wrote scripts for, directed and performed in a bespoke performance to celebrate the launch of the exhibition.
It’s been a real privilege for our students to be involved in this project, delving into the forgotten stories of the soldiers who are honoured in this poignant sculpture.
Students across a range of LJMU degree programmes have grasped the opportunity to put their skills into practice, undertaking research, conducting interviews and contributing to the production of the digital media, animation and AR elements. Their original performance was also a highlight of the launch event itself.
It’s an experience that our students will certainly never forget.
Professor Rachel McLean, Director of the Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries
At the unveiling, Mahtab said: “Learning about the Second World War at school was very much a ‘white’ experience, I had no idea the British Indian Army also fought or that they had more than 2.5 million soldiers.”
Mahtab has a personal connection to that unique generation, as his own grandfather volunteered to serve. He added: “When Britain won the war, they did so with the help of millions of soldiers from pre-partition India and around the Commonwealth. It’s important that all aspects of the story are told and everyone is included in Remembrance.
“The sculpture celebrates the contribution of the largest volunteer army in history and shows the impact of all faiths coming together and fighting for a bigger cause.”
The figures in the bronze statue are based on 3D scans of soldiers currently serving in the Army who all have a family connection to the Second World War. The ‘Forgotten Army’ exhibition is set to tour the country after its unveiling at Liverpool’s Central Library and will move onto locations including the RBL’s National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Oldham Art Gallery and Leicester Museum and Galleries, highlighting the diverse, multi-faith Commonwealth contribution made during the Wars.
The contributions from many different countries – including those in the Caribbean and South Asia – have moulded Britain as it is today. The very nature of Remembrance is about inclusivity and unity – all service should be recognised and remembered.
Gail Walters, Head of Network Engagement at the Royal British Legion
Images one to six accompanying this article are courtesy of Dave Brown Photography.
LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community
LJMU works closely with local veterans’ charities and national organisations like the RBL as part of its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community under the Armed Forces Covenant.
From research, to Arts projects, to strengthening educational paths for ex-forces personnel, to widening participation in higher education through youth cadet groups. The university undertakes a variety of collaboration in this field.
Additionally, in August 2024, LJMU was awarded gold status under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in acknowledgement of the work being undertaken in support of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Find out more about LJMU’s pledge to the Armed Forces community.
