ISLAMABAD: The British High Commission on Thursday presented three replacement medals to a Chakwal veteran for his achievements and sacrifices as a driver in the British Indian Army during the second world war (WWII).
Lance Naik Umar Hayat, now 99 years old, gathered with his family and neighbours at a ceremony when the Commission’s Deputy Head of Communication, Tom Hyde, presented him with three medals he had lost in 1975 when his house collapsed owing to excessive rains causing flooding.
“Medals reflect the official thanks of a government to those who have served it honourably, often with gallantry or distinction,” Hyde said as how important this year is for the Commonwealth ties and given King Charles II’s interest, the UK has decided to replace the medals the veteran had lost.
Under clear skies on a warm winter day, Hayat, his sons, and some of the family’s total of 95 members attended the Remembrance Day event held at his hamlet Dhermond in the Talagang Tehsil, Chakwal District, Punjab, to honour and honour British service members who had taken part in the wars.
Hayat served in the army as a WWII veteran from 1941 to 1948, mainly in what is now Myanmar.
The Chakwal veteran, who wore a white Shalwar Qameez that matched his turban and beard, polished black shoes, and sat with his back straight on a charpoy at his home, held the mementoes with pride, stating, “these medals have brought back all the memories of the war” (WWII). I can see my unit, my friends, my officers, and all of the sacrifices we gave while fighting”.
“Really it is an honour for me,” Hayat remarked after receiving his new medals. The veteran disclosed that his father, Aulia Khan Major, was a World War I veteran.
When the second one began, he remembered his father telling him to join the army and embrace martyrdom, but not to back down.
War, according to Hayat, is a wonderful thing since it allows one to demonstrate bravery against one’s enemies.
While agreeing that people die in battles, he maintained that winning and losing are also a part of it, noting that “kings were fond of expanding their empire” in the past.
In the following line, Hayat said that he was still ready to fight a war, noting that he could use his gun but not the rifle or heavy artillery that he employed throughout the war.
“My officer used to call me an all-rounder as I didn’t limit my work to driving only,” he said while crediting his good health to desi ghee and pure milk.
When reading his name and service number printed on the medal box, Hayat recalled that his father had taken him out of school after a teacher beat him up and that he eventually learned to read and write after serving in the army.
Last year, to commemorate Remembrance Day, the Commission paid special visits to some of the last remaining Second World War veterans in Pakistan, lauding their courage and sacrifice and emphasizing that the UK is here today because of them.
Hayat received a framed letter from former British High Commissioner Christian Turner in November, which he proudly displays on his wall.
He still retains his Military Motor Vehicle Drivers’ License, a character certificate from March 6, 1948, a service certificate, and two plates from which they were served meals during the war.
World War II was the largest and bloodiest conflict in history, involving over 30 countries. Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, the war lasted six terrible years until the allies – the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, United States, and China – destroyed Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945.
According to Hyde, the 2.5 million British Indian Army mobilised during WWII was the greatest volunteer force ever mobilised.
On 75 years of Pak-UK Dosti, Hyde said, the veterans that we have been visiting were there at the start of the relationship 75 years ago and it’s “only right that 75 years later we mark their achievements again as we celebrate our shared values through the Commonwealth.”
Hayat remembered that on the day the battle ended, the troops celebrated the victory, and his unit was happier because it did not suffer the massive losses in terms of fellow troopers, including Hindus and others, that many other units did.
The Commonwealth Ex-Services League provides a small allowance to war veterans. Hayat, who appeared satisfied with getting his medals returned, had only one wish from local authorities: “give a job to my two grandchildren in the army”.
