Plaque Wording: A debt of honour - The Memorial Gates This memorial was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen during the Golden Jubilee year, 2002. It commemorates the service and sacrifices of five million men and women from the Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the Caribbean, who volunteered to fight with the British in the two World Wars, 1914-18 and 1939-45. This is the first time that their magnificent contribution has received fitting recognition. With so many descendants of these volunteers now living in the United Kingdom, the Memorial Gates serve to remind us all of our shared sacrifices in times of greatest need.

First World War, 1914-18
Indian Sub-continent and the Kingdom of Nepal - 1,440,500 men and women, including 100,000 Gurkhas, volunteered for military service in the Indian Army. They fought on the Western Front, in Gallipoli, Persia, Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia.
Africa - the old British African colonies provided 62,000 troops and transport auxiliaries who fought in Africa.
Caribbean - over 15,000 men served in the British West Indies Regiment and saw action in France, Palestine, Egypt and Italy.

Second World War, 1939-45
Indian Sub-Continent and the Kingdom of Nepal - over 2,500,000 including 132,000 Gurkhas, served in Burma, Malaya, Hong Kong, North and East Africa, France, Italy, Greece and throughout the Middle East.
Africa - over 372,000, mostly from East and West Africa, served in the Middle East, East Africa, Italy and Burma.
Caribbean - over 7,000 men and women volunteered to aid the war effort, many of whom saw action in the Middle East, Far East, East Africa and Italy.

The Memorial Gates have been funded by a National Lottery grant from the Millennium Commission and the generous support of trusts, foundations and members of the public.
This panel was donated by the Friends of War Memorials and the West Indian Ex-Services Association UK.
Memorial Gates Trust