World War One Indian Soldiers’ Hospital in Bournemouth Officially Commemorated

A coastal hospital that provided care for Indian soldiers during World War One has received its inaugural official commemoration. A plaque was revealed at the site of the former Mont Dore Hotel, presently Bournemouth Town Hall, honoring over 1,000 Indian military personnel who received treatment at the temporary medical facility between 1914 and 1915. The establishment of this hospital occurred shortly after King George V’s visit to wounded soldiers in encampments located in the adjacent New Forest. Contemporary photographs indicate that as they recuperated from their wounds, the soldiers participated in vehicle excursions, utilized pleasure boats, and strolled along Bournemouth beach. Numerous Indian soldiers, numbering in the tens of thousands, served in France and Belgium. During an early phase of the conflict, Indian forces constituted one-third of the British Army deployed on the Western Front. A British officer remarked that “they filled a gap in the line when we had no other troops to put in”. A portion of the wounded were transported to medical facilities and camps in Brighton and the New Forest. The Lady Hardinge Hospital in Brockenhurst provided care for over 3,000 injured Indian soldiers. Nevertheless, military historian Nick Saunders noted that the narrative concerning Bournemouth remained less recognized. Mr. Saunders explained that the hospital was established subsequent to King George V expressing apprehension in November 1914 regarding the practice of treating wounded soldiers in huts and tents within the New Forest. Mr. Saunders further stated, “Two days after the King’s visit, a senior medical officer came down here and commandeered the building, the Mont Dore Hotel, the biggest hotel.” For their recovery, the soldiers were taken on vehicular excursions around the locality and frequented Bournemouth beach. Mr. Saunders mentioned, “We have a photo of them with the pier behind them.” He added that this photograph appeared in the Times of India with the caption: ‘They would obviously rather be walking along Back Bay, Bombay.'” He also noted, “Members of the Indian community now come down here to try and replicate that image of the Indian soldiers on the beach with the pier behind them.” Musical performances were organized in Bournemouth for the soldiers’ recreation and to generate funds for their well-being. Mr. Saunders commented, “It brought Indian music and religion to the Indian soldiers and shows how the locals welcomed them.” A soldier’s letter conveyed: “The people here are of a very amiable disposition; they talk pleasantly, treat us kindly and are very pleased to see us.” Nevertheless, the hospital’s cuisine garnered varied feedback; one account stated: “Food is awful here and no-one will get better on this”, whereas another expressed enthusiasm: “You can have as much as you want and it is delicious.” During the plaque’s unveiling on Wednesday, Mr. Saunders recited the names of 12 Indian soldiers who perished at the Bournemouth location, previously designated as No. 8A Indian General Hospital. He pointed out, however, that none of these individuals were recorded on the town’s nearby war memorial. Mr. Saunders declared, “My next task is to create a memorial naming the Indian soldiers who died in the hospitals of Bournemouth and the New Forest.” A local Indian community organization in Dorset advocated for the installation of the plaque. Ramesh Lal, representing the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Indian Community Association, stated that despite residing in Dorset for over 25 years, he had only recently learned of this historical link. He remarked, “It was a surprise for me to realise that over a hundred years ago, Indian soldiers… were walking the beaches of Bournemouth. “Yet I thought I was the first Indian to ever walk on these beaches.”