A Sikh Soldier's Service A Photographic Journey Through Three Allied Armies

A rare photographic and narrative archive, A Sikh Soldier's Service: A Photographic Journey Through Three Allied Armies brings to light the extraordinary life and service of Lachhman Singh Mehat, a Sikh soldier whose military career spanned the British Indian Army, the Indian Army, and the Canadian Army Reserves. Drawing from an exceptional family archive of previously unpublished photographs and documents, the book traces Lt. Col. Mehat's journey from a farming village in Punjab to commissioned service in the Signals Corps, and later to military life in Canada. Through images and narrative, it offers an intimate view of military training, leadership, and the evolving identity of a soldier across changing political and historical landscapes, including World War II, Partition, and post-war migration. The book also examines the personal and institutional challenges he faced, including systemic discrimination within the Canadian military and the difficult decision to conform to dress regulations that required the removal of religious identity markers. Interwoven throughout is a story of family sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service. Both a historical record and a visual tribute, this work preserves a legacy that might otherwise have been lost and highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Sikh soldiers in Commonwealth military history.