Standing With Giants at Hampton Court Palace

‘Standing with Giants’ exhibition at Hampton Court Palace

Just because we teach history does not mean that we are experts on everything. Over the years, I have researched and curated projects about Indian soldiers, but I am the first to admit I do not know everything. With so much history and events, it is impossible to be a know-it-all and even now, I am constantly learning new things. So, in September when I got an email from curators at Hampton Court Palace inviting me to an event, I was shocked to learn that Indian soldiers had visited Hampton Court Palace in 1919. I often associated Hampton Court Palace being the home of Henry VII and all his wives, not expecting to be informed about the story of Indian Soldiers.

The volunteers and I were invited to Hampton Court Place in November to mark Remembrance Day and view the new exhibition ‘Standing with Giants’ in the East Front Gardens. There were 100 commissioned silhouettes of soldiers who had contributed to the World Wars. These silhouettes included Sikh soldiers with turbans, something that we do not see every day. Not only was this display on for a limited time, we were given access all areas with the curators, which was amazing as many of my volunteers, had never visited Hampton Court Palace before.

In 1919, Indian soldiers were due to join British soldiers in the Peace celebrations parade, but they were delayed in their journey and had to miss out. Not to leave the Indian soldiers out of this celebration, King George V announced that the Indian soldiers would have their own parade at Hampton Court Palace on a later date. On 2nd August 1919 Indian soldiers were given their own Peace celebration parade for the first time ever and it made big news. Hampton Court Palace provided camp and accommodation for the soldiers as they had travelled from afar. For many of the Indian soldiers this was their first time to England, and they were looked after very well. Not only were they camped at Hampton Court Palace, but their religious and cultural requirements were also met.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the ground of the Palace where we learnt more about Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, who was known to be at Hampton Court Palace. As the God Daughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Sophia and her sisters lived on the Hampton Court Green at Faraday House. The house was set on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. As the day drew to a close, the team surprised the volunteers and I by offering us free tickets for other sites such as Kensington Palace and Tower of London. 2022 will be enriched with learning for our volunteers. Thank you all at Hampton Court Palace for the wonderful welcome and the lovely gifts.