An Army reservist who founded the UK’s first memorial to Sikhs who served in the World Wars today received an OBE.
Captain Jay Singh-Sohal, OBE VR, a trustee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was recognised for Services to Commonwealth Commemoration.
He received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) gong from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at an investiture ceremony at St James’ Palace.
The 42-year-old from Sutton Coldfield has been in the Army reserves for the past 16 years.
He has spent the past decade volunteering, leading and advising charities and government on how best to ensure people from diverse backgrounds from across the Commonwealth who served Great Britain are remembered.
‘My hope is it inspires more people from diverse backgrounds to serve our country’
Jay, after receiving his OBE, told WM News: “Being recognised in this way is an immense honour, a once-in-a-lifetime moment that I am proud to have shared with my wife and children with a visit to St James’ Palace.
“It’s humbling because it’s such a rare occurrence for someone of my socio-economic background to receive such an accolade, and for something so prestigious. My hope is it inspires more people from diverse backgrounds to serve our country, whether in uniform or by volunteering with charities.”
Jay founded the WW1 Sikh Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in 2015 to remember the bravery and sacrifice of Sikh soldiers as a key element of Britain’s national story.
The memorial was the first of its kind and led to other community monuments being set up across England.
Jay joined the board of the Commonwealth War Graves Commissions charitable foundation in 2017. He has since supported them with communications, engagement and outreach to ensure the story of the Commonwealth contribution reaches the widest possible audience.
