At Perth’s State War Memorial, the 9th Annual Remembrance Service organised by the Virsa Club WA brought together veterans, community leaders, and dignitaries to pay tribute to West Australian ANZACs of Indian origin. It was a moment of quiet reflection—and recognition long overdue.
Federal MP for Swan, Zaneta Mascarenhas, was among those present. “It was an honour to join the 9th Annual Remembrance Service hosted by Virsa Club WA,” she said. “As someone who values both history and inclusion, it was moving to reflect on the Anzacs of Indian origin and the rich diversity within our shared past.”
The bilingual boards flanking the service listed names that rarely make the pages of most war histories: Private Nain Singh Sailani and Private Charles Henry Fairbeard among them. Twelve men of Indian descent are known to have served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I—an astonishing fact given the constraints of the time. The Defence Act and the White Australia Policy made it difficult for non-Europeans to enlist. And yet they did.
Zaneta continued, “Anzac Day reminds us that no one who served should ever be forgotten – no matter their background. Services like this deepen our understanding of who we are as a nation, and I’m grateful to be part of that ongoing story.”
The service also paid tribute to the wider Indian contribution to the Allied war effort, including the 15,000 Indian troops—many of them Sikhs—who served during the Gallipoli campaign. Nearly 1,400 of those soldiers died; more than 3,500 were wounded. They carried supplies, ferried the wounded, and held the line.
For many Australians, this side of Anzac history remains unfamiliar. But gatherings like the one in Kings Park are helping to change that—quietly, consistently. No fanfare. Just a wreath, a few names, and a community making sure their stories are not erased.
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