Int'l mateship forged by 2,800 fallen Indian soldiers, Major Chint Singh driving push for WW2 memorial in Australia

In Australia, the call for building a memorial for the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Pacific during World War 2 is gaining momentum. This plea is for a monument in Canberra for the 2,800 Indian soldiers who perished in Papua New Guinea during World War II.

But then why is the call to build the memorial growing in Australia if the soldiers dies in Papua New Guinea? This has to do with a forgotten tale of mateship, at the heart of which was Major Chint Singh.

The story of Major Chint Singh of the 2nd Dogra Regiment remains one of the most striking examples of wartime comradeship between Indian and Australian soldiers. His survival through years of captivity in Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the Second World War, and the ties he forged with Australian servicemen, continue to resonate as a reminder of shared sacrifice across borders.

Around 3,000 Indian troops were transported to PNG from Singapore by Japanese forces. Just 200 survived. Deprived of food, medicine and basic necessities, they endured by eating grass, snakes, frogs and insects. Even in captivity, discipline and soldierly conduct were maintained. Among them was Major Chint Singh, whose leadership and resolve kept his men alive until their liberation in September 1945.

First contact with Australian troops

The first encounter with Australian soldiers came on 30 September 1945. Lieutenant F.O. Monk recalled the scene with deep emotion: “I will never forget the picture of you and your men as you all came ashore at Angoram. It will be with me as long as I live.” Singh’s men, though emaciated, reported in full military decorum. They were taken to Wewak, where the 15th Australian Field Ambulance provided treatment and care. Australian soldiers went further, writing letters home on behalf of the Indian troops and offering companionship during recovery.

Tragedy followed weeks later when 10 Indian soldiers perished in a plane crash near Rabaul on 16 November 1945. Singh, held back to testify before the Australian War Crimes Commission, was devastated. During this period, his connection with Australians deepened as he shared quarters with officers such as Captain Bruce of the 30th Infantry Battalion.

In January 1946, Singh wrote a farewell letter to the 6th Australian Division: “The sympathy, love, and affection shown by every individual of the Division will always be with us… hoping that the friendship of your country and India will continue for all the time.” The letter, archived at the Australian War Memorial, endures as a testament to bonds forged through hardship.

A legacy that endured

Honours followed. Singh was invited to sign the Japanese surrender flag, now displayed at the Australian War Memorial. He returned to Australia in 1947 to assist again with war crimes testimony and was received with warmth by former comrades and their families. In 1970, he attended the 25th anniversary of the end of the war at the invitation of the RSL, revisiting old battlefields and renewing friendships.

The following year, the RSL erected a memorial in Angoram to commemorate the 2,800 Indian soldiers who never returned. Though later destroyed by floods, it stood as recognition of the sacrifice. In recent years, efforts have been made to establish a permanent memorial in Canberra, with Singh’s son, Narinder Parmar, submitting a proposal in 2022.

Remembering shared sacrifice

For Australians, “mateship” is a cherished value. For Singh and his men, it was a lived reality—an alliance built on compassion, mutual respect and shared survival.

As India and Australia look to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific, stories such as these serve as powerful reminders that their relationship was not only founded in diplomacy but also in shared blood, resilience and humanity.