Buglers sounded the last post and representatives of the navy and army took part in a memorial service as Kolkata Monday paid homage to the First World War martyrs who included Indian and Anglo-Indian soldiers and sailors from then undivided Bengal and Assam.
At the Cenotaph, famously known as memorial of "The Glorious Dead" near the stretch of lush greenery called the Maidan, representatives of the Indian army and navy joined ranks with members of the British Deputy High Commission here at a specially held 'Memorial Service' and laid wreaths to honour those who died fighting in the war that lasted from 1914 to 1918.
A pipe band from the East Command headquarters Fort William garrison battalion lent a ceremonial air to the poignant event.
Soulful buglers sounded the traditional "Last Post" and "The Rouse" as the city joined the rest of the world to mark the event.
In an unrelated event, a special tribute was also paid to Bengal's lascars - 896 in all - who were not essentially sailors fighting the war but who lost their lives to the perils of war at sea. The Indian Navy's Symphonic Band Orchestra performed at the magnificently lit 'Lascar Memorial' at Hastings Sunday evening in their honour.
