WWI Labour Corp member Family wants to lay wreaths at grave
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28 2015:
Sonereng Shinglai, the foster son of Putanleng Shinglai �a WW-I Labour Corp member from Manipur to Europe whose grave was discovered recently at St Xavier's Cemetery, France�has expressed a burning desire to lay wreaths and offer prayer at the grave of his foster father.
Founder of the World War II Imphal Campaign Foundation, Yumnam Rajeshwar handed over memorabilia and a photograph of the grave of Putanleng to his family today at DIPR premises, Moirangkhom.
The memorabilia were handed over to the family after they contacted the foundation following the report published by The Sangai Express about the discovery of the graves of 87 Manipur natives who were members of Labour Corp during WWI in Europe and Egypt.
Speaking to reporters, 85 years old Sonereng Shinglai said he felt contented that he could finally receive the items/details of his father.
"I feared my father's memorabilia were lost," he said.
|
Narrating the past event, Sonereng said, Putanleng left home for France as a member of WWI Labour Corp at the insistence of one elder Ruichumhao just two months after marrying Sonereng's mother.
The family was informed about the demise of Putanleng after the World War I .
Later, family arranged the marriage of Putanleng's wife with his younger brother, Chanangkao.
Sonereng was born from the second marriage of his mother.
Putanleng is the third eldest among five siblings.
21 years old Henry Shinglai, grandson of Putanleng expressed gladness on finding connection with his grand father.
He wished the Govt makes arrangement for the family to visit the grave of his grandfather and immortalise him.
Founder of the World War II Imphal Campaign Foundation, Yumnam Rajeshwar said the graves of members of Labour Corp of WWI from Manipur were discovered in collaboration with London based war historians.
He said Putanleng's grave was located at St Xavier's Cemetery Extension in France.
There were 16 hospitals around the cemetery.
As such, it is quite evident that Putanleng might have breathed his last at one of the hospitals due to injuries in the war or flu.
It may be mentioned that about 2000 men from the State were sent to Europe as Labour Corp members in April 1917 to assist the British in World War I .
While some of them returned after the War, the whereabouts of some remained traceless.