On 2nd December 2017, in the small, northern French village of Villers-Guislain, over four hundred people gathered to remember those Indian armed soldiers who, a hundred years ago, fought for the freedom of France. 

It was here at midday, along with some veterans, that the Indian national flag “Tiranga" was hoisted with pride, whilst French schoolchildren sang the Indian national anthem. This poignant ceremony was followed by observing a moment of silence; to remember, thank and honour those valiant Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for a free and peaceful France. 

A musical parade led the participants to the Town Hall where the village Mayor Gerard Alart and Squadron Leader Rana Chhina, thanked Mr. Nitin Palan of Palan Foundation UK for sponsoring this remarkable event. The villagers and their mayor have kindly chosen to donate some land to honour the Indian Armed Forces.

The proposed memorial is to be built, under, one of the sponsorships of the Palan Foundation, at the exact spot where the Indian cavalry had resisted a German counterattack during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

Villers-Guislain is a village 16 kilometers south-west of Cambrai and approximately 4 kilometers east of Gouzeaucourt, located between Cambrai to Peronne.