The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-23
Battlefield VISIONS.
Sikh Soldiers See Their st.
George"


BY st. Nihal Singh, in the London
Spectator.
Many Sikh officers and soldiers who
have taken part in recent battles relate
that they have seen their great spiritual
leader on the battlefield urging them on
to charge the foe. These accounts are
by no means the IndianiZed versions OF
the tales told about st. George appear
ing before the British troops at Mons
Many OF the Sikhs who tell of their eX-
periences do not know word OF Eng
lish, and never heard that their British
comrades had seen visions of their pa
iron saint. The statements of the
Sikhs, therefore, refer to an experience
all their own.
According to one account, Guru
Govind Singh-who lived in the 18th
century and who infused the martial
spirit into the Sikhs-appeared on the
battlefield riding a beautiful white
charger with a long, flowing tail. He
wore a Respondent aigrette fastened
to his turban which waved above his
head like the white plums" of Navarro,
a Veritable oriflamme to the followers
1t may be recalled thai the Guru is in
variably depicted in Sikh annals and
shown in old paintings riding a white
horse and wearing large aigrette. One
of the favorite names by which Sikhs
Of this age remember Guru Govind
Singh is HE with the aigrette."
According to a second version, "the
photo of Guru Govind Singh" was the
only thing that the Sikhs, advancing in
a bayonet charge, saw to their right
left and front" The words quoted are
fl ON the account given by Subadar
(Indian Major) Sardar Narain Singh
OF the Fourteenth Sikhs, who received
six bullet wounds while engaged in ac-
ton in Gallipoli, from which he has re-
Gently recovered. He says that the
vision of Guru Govind Singh appeared
before the Sikh soldiers just as the
bugle sounded March," and they
hrandished their bayonets. He declares
that he cannot explain IN words
THE spirit this holy sight infused in
us. It emboldened us to march on,
piercing through the abdomen of the
enemy, unmindful of the havoc being
wrought by the horrid machine gun.
We shouted. Sat Fri AkaP Good is
timeless'-the battle cdy of the Sikhs)
and chanted the Shabads (hymns) OF
Halla (attack), as IL ours was a nuptial
procession. Those among us who fell
wounded or dead we minded never, as
ton to the Buru, who was so omni-
present in the march, and adherence to
government"
The 249th anniversary Of Guru Go
Wind Singh's birth occurred less than
a week ago, and was celebrated by the
Sikhs at the depot for wounded In
dams at Milford on Sea. as. indeed. 1t
is celebrated every year by the Sikhs
wherever they may be. The celebra-
ton was largely organized by jenna =
dar Qndian lieutenant) Arjan Singh,
who, in his own case, shows how truly
the Signs believe that the founders OF
their religion gave India to the British
and are ready to make any sacrifice In
order to strengthen the British cause.
When the hostilities commenced ArJan
Singh was in Argentina, engaged on
plantation. He Immediately gave up
his position in order to come to
Europe to rejoin the Sikh regiment IN
which he had formerly served, and
which had been ordered to France. The
ship which brought him to Liverpool
carried on board a large number OF
Britons who were hurrying home to
join the colors. Arjan Singh; at their
request, drilled them throughout the
voyage.