Of a veteran and his memories of WW-II

105-year-old soldier shares recollections of history’s deadliest war

HARIPUR:

It was the year 1942. The British Empire was at war with multiple foes and was desperate to save territories from the clutches of Nazi Germany in Europe and Japan in Asia.

A seven-foot-tall youth in his prime captured the attention of the British military officers who had been recruiting soldiers to make for the plummeting rank and file of the British Indian Army at the peak of World War II.

This was Khan Bahadur Khan, a sturdy youth in his early 20s, minding his own business and selling firewood in the market to make a living.

Khan, now 105 years old, recalls the recruiters telling him “hum tum ko fauj mai bharti karta hai”, meaning we are recruiting you to serve in the military.

Unaware of the dangers ahead, Khan happily set off on his journey to the frontlines of the war. Some 80 years later, he is lucky enough to tell his story to his grandchildren and the world, unlike most of his comrades who became cannon fodder, defending a colonial empire.

The British Consulate General in Islamabad recently awarded a certificate of appreciation to Lance Naik (retd), Khan Bahadur Khan, on the 75th Golden Jubilee of Pakistan for his outstanding services in the British Army during WW-II, acknowledging the veteran for his selfless service during critical times in the history of their nation.

On behalf of the British High Commission, a diplomat has recently sent him good wishes with a message that the British government thanks him for his services in the British Army during WW II.

Lance Naik (retd) Khan is delighted to receive the letter signed by Christian Turner, the British High Commissioner in Islamabad.

The 105-year-old has also received several medals from other institutions.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the veteran recalls how in the beginning he joined the army as a driver.

Khan, a resident of the Khanpur Bandi Barila area in Haripur, gets overwhelmed with emotions recounting the memories of the horrors he has been through.

He says he has narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions.

The veteran goes on to tell that he served in Myanmar (Burma) and India and spent many days starving in the jungle during the war.

Even at this age, he can walk and recognise other people in the area with little effort.

Though his memories have faded a bit, some memories of the past are still vivid in his mind.

The death of his comrades on distant lands, that too in a horrific manner, has left a mark on him.

He also has a collection of old photos, newspaper cuttings and some other vintage articles which he keeps safely in a box. He often stares at these items and gets lost in the past.

After the partition of the subcontinent, he also served in the Pakistan Army and Navy.

Undoubtedly, Khan is the only individual of that age in the area. The rest of his colleagues have passed away.

The veteran’s grandchildren now take care of him as he narrates to them the stories of his bravery. Other villagers also visit him to enquire about his health and to hear his stories because he is the living history of humanity’s conquest for more power gone wrong.

Khan does not fully recall some of the bitter experiences of his life, but he does recognise the people by their voices. He warmly welcomes his guests. He cannot walk long distances due to knee pains but still offers his prayers regularly.

Khan's grandson Muhammad Fayaz says people of the area, including his family, are proud of his grandfather. He says even today, people come from afar to meet him.

He also says other villagers know his family by his name and Khan Bahadur is their identity. He still has his old gun at home with him, says Fayaz, adding that his grandfather likes watching old TV serials.

The young man tells, sometimes his grandfather becomes sombre remembering some bitter experiences of the past. His grandfather narrates to them the stories of fierce battles of the war in Myanmar. He also tells the stories of his bravery with great pride, he says.

Khan, according to Fayaz, spends most of his time now with the children. He says he spends his pension money on his family.

An elder of the village, Muhammad Arshad, told The Express Tribune that Khan Bahadur Khan is the pride of the Haripur district. “Khan has a distinct identity in the area,” he says.

Khan told The Express Tribune that he still has the courage to fight, expressing determination to render his services if the motherland needed.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2022.