Surrey Day 2025: honouring the overlooked stories of World War II

On Saturday 10 May, SMEF hosted a community event at Surrey History Centre to mark Surrey Day 2025, focusing on the contributions of ethnic minority communities to World War II — a history that has too often been ignored.

The event brought together powerful speakers and cultural performances that helped shine a light on these underrepresented narratives. Julie Siddiqui delivered a thought-provoking talk that challenged attendees to reflect on why certain communities’ contributions were deliberately left out of mainstream history. She reminded us that remembrance is not just about honouring the past, but about correcting the gaps in how that past has been told.

Guests enjoyed a Nepalese cultural dance performance, featuring both men and women — a moment that added depth and colour to the day while paying homage to the bravery of the Gurkhas.

The Nepalese community also presented on their contribution during World War II, as well as their ongoing roles within the British Army today.

Usman Aurakzai highlighted the role of Pashtun communities and the Aurakzai military legacy in the British Indian Army and later Pakistani armed forces during the war effort. Harpreet, a representative from the Sikh community and the British Army, spoke about the significant contribution of Sikh soldiers across global theatres of war.

Throughout the afternoon, attendees took part in a bunting activity, with messages of remembrance, unity, and solidarity displayed around the venue.
Despite the weight of the subject matter, the event struck an uplifting tone — celebrating both the sacrifices made and the opportunity to come together as a community to reclaim shared histories.

Surrey Day 2025 was a reminder that these stories matter, and that remembrance must include everyone.