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Her Majesty The Queen will perform the inauguration of the Millennium Memorial Gates on Wednesday 6 November 2002 at 3pm. Supported by a grant of nearly £1.1 million of Lottery money from the Millennium Commission, the Gates recognise the contribution and sacrifice made in the First and Second World Wars by five million volunteers from the Indian sub-continent, Africa and the Caribbean. Located at the top of Constitution Hill at the approach from Duke of Wellington Place, the Gates provide a unique addition to the series of commemorative gates and monuments within the Royal Parks and are the first, major national recognition of the role of overseas volunteers in the Allied war effort. In the First World War, nearly 1.5 million Indians volunteered for military service and the Indian and British armies fought side by side. In all, 47,000 were killed and more than 65,000 were wounded. More than 15,000 men of the British West Indies Regiment saw action, with over 1,200 killed and more than double that number wounded. The contribution from the old British African colonies was also substantial in terms of troops, transport auxiliaries, money and raw materials. In the Second World War, more than 2.5 million men from the Indian sub-continent joined the allied war effort - forming the largest volunteer army the world has ever known - with a further 375,000 Africans and several thousand people from the Caribbean territories answering the call to arms. Millennium Commissioner Floella Benjamin OBE said, "The Millennium Memorial Gates mark an important milestone in commemorating the enormous contribution made by men and women from the Indian Sub Continent, Africa and the Caribbean who participated as volunteers in the First and Second World War. The Millennium Commission is delighted that Lottery money is providing the opportunity to honour those whose sacrifice laid the foundations for the liberty we enjoy today." The Gates were designed by Liam O'Connor and will feature the names of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Africa, Caribbean and Kingdom of Nepal, together with the names of those who were awarded the Victoria Cross and George Cross. The Memorial Gates Trust is preparing an edited version of its website in time for the official opening ceremony of the Gates and the complete website is due to be launched December 2002. The website www.mgtrust.org will feature a historical review by travel writer Christopher Somerville and abbreviated versions of the veterans stories produced by Birmingham Advisory Schools Services (BASS). To mark the occasion, BASS will also be producing an education pack for schools that further tells the stories of the soldiers who fought in the two World Wars. - ends - Notes to Editors 1 The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes which distributes funds from the National Lottery.
2 The Millennium Commission has supported:
- Around 200 new buildings, environmental projects and visitor attractions on over 3000 sites across the UK.;
- Over 100 Awards Schemes which distribute Millennium Awards to individuals for community based projects. Over 22,000 people have already received a Millennium Award and there are still thousands of Awards available. Further information is available on 0800 06801 2000;
- A UK-wide programme of community festivals which began on New Year's Eve 1999 and culminated on New Year's Eve 2000 with celebrations in 32 towns and cities across the UK.;
- The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the National Programme.
3 The Millennium Commission stopped receiving funds from the National Lottery in August 2001.
For further information contact the Millennium Commission Press Office on 020 7880 2007, out of hours 07775 812 820. back to top Copyright © 2002 The Millennium Commission
Millennium Commission 5th-November-2002
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