Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony honouring Canadian veterans celebrates 15 years

The Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the military grave of Private Buckam Singh, who fought in France during the first World War.

Private Singh was one of only nine Sikh soldiers allowed to serve with the Canadian Forces in World War One, and his grave is the only military grave in Canada of a Sikh soldier from both World Wars.

Rupinder Kaur, one of the organizers of the event, told CityNews 570 that Private Singh's grave was discovered by one of the ceremony's committee members after finding a medal he had received.

She added that the fallen soldier may have had contact with John McRae, best known for writing the poem 'In Flanders Fields'.

“Doctor McRae was serving as a medical doctor at the time and Private Buckam Singh was injured during the war,” said Kaur. “So there's a possibility that the two of them may have interacted.”

Kaur remarked that the ceremony will be solemn and heartfelt, including a Moment of Silence, a reading of 'In Flanders Fields', and the laying of wreaths.

Students from Private Buckam Singh Public School in Brampton will also play a role.

Politicians from Waterloo Region, Brampton and Milton typically attend the ceremony, as well as military members and police officers.

The Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.