Canada to unveil special stamp honouring Sikh soldiers at 18th Annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony on Nov 2
PTC Web Desk: In a historic tribute to over a century of Sikh service in the Canadian military, Canada Post is set to unveil a special Remembrance Day-themed stamp honouring Sikh Canadian soldiers. The unveiling will take place during the 18th annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday, November 2, hosted by the Sikh community.
The newly issued stamp commemorates the legacy of Sikh soldiers who have served Canada for more than 100 years, beginning with the 10 Sikh men accepted into the Canadian military during the First World War. It also pays homage to the Sikh personnel currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, continuing a proud tradition of courage and dedication.
The Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony, now in its 18th year, is a significant event that brings together members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police services, Royal Canadian Legion branches, veterans, elected representatives, and citizens. The ceremony is held at the military grave of Private Buckam Singh, Canada’s only known Sikh World War I soldier buried on home soil.
Private Buckam Singh, one of the few Sikhs permitted to enlist in the early 1900s, served with distinction in the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion, fighting in France and Belgium before succumbing to injuries in 1919. His grave in Kitchener, Ontario, has since become a national symbol of inclusivity, bravery, and remembrance.
This year’s ceremony will feature Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, alongside Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon, the first RCMP officer permitted to wear a turban. The duo, joined by Sikh members of the Canadian Armed Forces, will unveil the commemorative stamp following a wreath-laying ceremony.
- With inputs from agencies
