Vallabhdas Suchak

Nima Suchak’s story

I feel a sense of sadness about discovering my grandfather’s service now, sadness that his service wasn’t recognised in his own lifetime and that I never had the chance to ask him about it.

His name was Vallabhdas Suchak and he was born in India in 1924. He enlisted for the British Indian Army during World War Two. If I had gone through what he did at the age of 18, I would want some recognition for it.

I was working on a multifaith project about Ramadan and then recalled that my late grandfather, who was Hindu, would observe fasting during Ramadan. I wondered why, so started digging around.

In 2019, I came across a cardboard box and found some rusty medals. I researched and identified these as the Burma Star and the Africa Star, confirming what my family had told me. Grandfather had served in the Burma Campaign and in North Africa and fought alongside allies in the Second World War.

Vallabhdas Suchak’s medals that Nima found in a cardboard box

My father also told me a story that resonated and has shaped my outlook on life.

When he was fighting in North Africa he had offered some water to a dying Muslim comrade on the battlefield. When the soldier refused the water because he was fasting for Ramadan, my grandfather promised to fast on his behalf if he drank the water. 

He would fast every year for the rest of his life, keeping his promise to his dying friend.

Nima with her grandad

Vallabhdas moved to the UK in 1972 as a refugee, fleeing the genocide in Uganda. He settled in Shepherd’s Bush in west London and worked as a security guard. He passed away in 1989.

Remembrance Sunday has taken on a whole new meaning for us as a family. Remembrance is also about South Asians and I’m glad people are recognising the service of people like my grandad.