‘India to Berlin’ Caption to a picture of a Sikh soldier in an autograph book from a Bristol pub, 1915-16

Few of the Empire troops who joined the forces came through Bristol on their way to training or fighting. Some came here to a war hospital after being wounded. A detachment of the 128th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Moose Jaw Corps) visited Bristol in March 1917. They came to deposit their Regimental Colours in Bristol Cathedral for safekeeping for the duration of the war.

Most of the 71,000 men from Africa and the West Indies who joined the British Army never came to Britain, but fought in Africa (against Africans) and in the Middle East. There was a colour bar even in wartime. The British Government worried about arming and training Black men and encouraging ideas of independence.

Indian troops were allowed to fight on the Western Front. They took part in some of the fiercest fighting and suffered heavy losses.