This photograph shows the unveiling of the Chattri memorial on 1 February 1921. The Chattri stands in Patcham and is a memorial to the Indian soldiers who died in Brighton’s hospitals during the First World War.
What can we see?
Chattri
The memorial is a chattri which means ‘canopy’ or ‘umbrella’ in Hindi. In India they are sometimes built on the site where an important person’s funeral was peformed.
Honour guard
Around the base of the Chattri, four British solders provide an honour guard. Each man carries a Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle pointed to the ground.
This stance is known as ‘resting on arms’ and is commonly used at military funerals and memorial services to signify mourning or respect.
VIPs
The Prince of Wales can be seen giving a speech, reading from sheets of paper.
On the right is the Mayor of Brighton, Bertram Southall.
Onlookers
Although the invited guests consist of servicemen and dignitaries, a large crowd has gathered outside.
Aside from the riders on horseback, look closely and you can see hundreds of people pressed to the fence.
Author: Charles Paddick, Collections Assistant
More information
- Chattri Memorial Group website
- British Pathe film footage of the ceremony
- Image gallery of the Chattri unveiling
- The Chattri and the Royal Pavilion
