The campaign encourages families to honour relatives
Following the 81st anniversary of VJ Day, South Asian families are being encouraged to explore their histories of wartime service.
The Royal British Legion and British Future are highlighting the contributions of South Asian servicemen and women through their My Family Legacy campaign.
Since September 2025, the organisations have toured communities across the UK, creating opportunities for South Asian families to uncover and share stories of service, courage, loss and sacrifice.
The campaign encourages families to honour relatives who contributed to Britain’s wartime efforts, regardless of the roles they played.
It also aims to ensure these contributions remain part of the wider story of Britain’s history and remembrance.
Among those sharing their family history is Nima Suchak, whose grandfather Vallabhdas served during the Second World War in Burma and North Africa.
Vallabhdas never spoke about his wartime service with his family. However, Nima discovered a box containing his medals, prompting her to investigate his history and uncover the extent of his service and sacrifice.
Anthony Metcalfe, Head of Community Engagement at the Royal British Legion, said:
“Victory in the Second World War would not be possible without the courage and sacrifice of Allied forces from across the Commonwealth and beyond, whose service helped shape modern Britain.”
Descendants involved in the My Family Legacy campaign recently came together for a special photoshoot to share their family stories and reflect on the importance of preserving this history.
They also discussed The Forgotten Army, an exhibition created by photographer Mahtab Hussain in collaboration with the Royal British Legion.
The exhibition highlights the often-overlooked contributions of South Asian servicemen and women and seeks to raise awareness of their experiences and sacrifices.
For families involved in the campaign, sharing these stories provides a way to connect personal histories with the wider legacy of Britain’s wartime past.
The My Family Legacy campaign also reflects the diverse communities whose contributions have shaped Britain.
The Forgotten Army exhibition will tour Scotland from September 2026, providing further opportunities to discover stories of South Asian service and sacrifice.
As VJ Day commemorations continue, campaigns such as My Family Legacy are helping ensure the experiences of those who served, and the families who remember them, remain part of the national conversation around remembrance.
