Bombay Sappers War Memorial

January 31, 2024

Bombay Sappers War Memorial

A postage stamp on 100 years of the Bombay Sappers War Memorial, to commemorate the Bombay Engineer Group for their service towards nation :

Issued by India

Issued on Jan 31, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to issue commemorative postage stamp on Bombay Sappers War Memorial and salutes the Group for their prowess in battle and in the development of the nation.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Smt. Vinita Sinha
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302350

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The Bombay Engineer Group, popularly known as ‘The Bombay Sappers’, is one of the three Groups of the Corps of Engineers. The origin of the Group can be traced back to a company of Pioneer Lascars raised in Bombay in 1777 as a part of the Bombay Presidency. However, according to the officially accepted records, the history of the Bombay Engineer Group dates back to 1820, when the Pioneer Lascars were re-organized into Sappers and Miners. Recognizing the services rendered by the Group during the First World War, the title ‘Royal’ was awarded to it in 1921.
The Bombay Sappers and Miners earned their first Battle Honour, Beni-Boo-Ali, in Arabia in 1821 i.e. within a year of reorganizing. Since then, the Group has given an excellent account of itself with 34 Battle Honours and 25 Theatre Honours during the pre-independence era and three Battle Honours and six Theatre Honours, 10 COAS Unit Citations, two COAS Certificate of Appreciation, two VCOAS Unit Appreciation 50 GOC-in-C Unit Citations and one GOC-in-C Certificate of Appreciation after independence, besides six Governor Citations which are a testimony to the devotion and dedication of the gallant soldiers of the Group.
The Group is accredited with the Victoria Cross awarded to 2Lt (later Lt Gen) PS Bhagat for the most conspicuous gallantry in the Middle East in World War II, the Param Vir Chakra awarded to 2Lt (later Maj) RR Rane for clearing of mine fields and road blocks in Rajouri sector during 1948 Indo-Pak War and the Ashok Chakra awarded to Nb Sub Gurnam Singh posthumously on 23 Sep 1973 for saving the lives of men under his command during a demonstration for visiting staff and student officers of the Defence Services Staff College. Thus, the Group has the distinction of winning the three highest awards for individual bravery – this is something unique in the annals of the Indian Army.
The Bombay Sappers joined the club of a select few, when they received the Regimental Colours from Shri R Venkataraman, the then President of India, on 21 Feb 1990.
Over the past two centuries, the Bombay Sappers have carved a special niche for themselves in the chronicles of the Indian Army. They have not only proved their prowess in battle, but have also utilised their military and technical skills in the development of the nation.
The Bombay Sappers War Memorial proudly adorns the entrance to the Parade Ground in remembrance of the officers and men who laid down their lives during the First World War. The foundation was laid on 17^th Feb 1923 by Col BB Russel, DSO, RE, who was Commandant of the Centre from 1905-1909 and who had come specifically for this event.
Unveiled by the Governor of Bombay on 10 Sep 1924, the Memorial was built entirely by men of the Corps and comprises a stone cenotaph with inscriptions in English, Urdu, Gurmukhi and Marathi.
In Aug 1979, the base has been extended and stone satellites adorn four corners, each satellite is having four faces of marble on which new inscriptions can be etched, as it had long been desired to periodically update the inscription on the War Memorial so as to cover subsequent operation also. These four satellites have been ceremoniously fenced with an opening on each side to enable memorial services to be conducted.
In 2023, ascending walls adorned with the names of the Bravehearts have been added, to pay tribute to the fallen comrades and commemorate a century of existence of this iconic memorial.
The Bombay Sappers War Memorial is completing 100 years of its existence in 2024 and is a place of reverence over the years. Since 1984, the War Memorial is also used as a logo/symbol of the Bombay Sappers replacing the British Crown adopted during the raising.
An inseparable part of The Bombay Sappers History and Legacy, the Memorial is central to all ceremonial and commemoration parades with a solemn memorial service preceding all other events and activities.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.