Rochdale students uncover hidden stories of black and Asian World War Two contribution

School students marking Remembrance in Rochdale this week will have a new perspective on our annual tradition of commemoration, following a ground-breaking new project to uncover the hidden histories of black and Asian World War Two service from among their own community.

The students, from Falinge Park High School, reached out to their own diverse community to uncover family stories of Second World War service from black and Asian soldiers. The students then became historians themselves, conducting filmed interviews with family members and documenting these stories – through video, family photos and medals and other memorabilia – on their school website.

A short film of the project, telling some of the local family stories that the students uncovered, has now been launched.

 

 

Teacher Vacas Ahmed, who led the project at Falinge Park High School, said: “Local people were really proud of what their ancestors had done and were keen to tell their stories.

“The project brought history to life for our students. It shows how our past shaped the diverse community that they live in today.

“Soldiers of all creeds and colours, from across the Commonwealth, served together in the world wars. We should remember them together today.”

Brooke, a student at Falinge Park High School who took part in the project, said: “I never really thought about who the soldiers were, so I feel very different about British history now.”

Ahsan, a student at Falinge Park High School who took part in the project, said: “Everyone is more connected to World War Two than we thought. Now I know that it wasn’t just white British people, it was all of us.”

Amin Janjua from Rochdale, interviewed for the project about his father Fazal Karim, said: “I’m glad you’ve given me the chance to show to the world that our people, my dad, they fought for their lives, for Britain. They’re the Pride of Britain, those commonwealth soldiers.”

Adil Javed from Rochdale, speaking about his grandfather Muhammad Sadiq Malik Qadri, who fought in Burma in World War Two, said: “I just feel really proud. I’ve got a real sense of belonging, a real sense of identity, because of him – I’ve got a great sense that I belong in this country because I know I’ve got a right to be here – my grandfather fought in a war.”

The school partnered with British Future – a charity working for a confident, fair and inclusive Britain. Last year, ahead of Remembrance Sunday, British Future coordinated a joint letter signed by politicians of all parties and voices from different faiths, civil society and the military, urging that “all who served are fully recognised through better education, commemoration and documentation of our shared history.”

Steve Ballinger, Communications Director of British Future, said: “We hear a lot about how commemorating our history is difficult and divisive. But it can also bring people together – especially when we think about the history that is shared by people from different backgrounds.

“Remember Together aims to make our national tradition of Remembrance feel relevant and inclusive to everybody in Britain today. We’d like to see it rolled out in schools across the country.”