Ninety-six years after 500 men from Meghalaya went to France to help the Allied forces during World War I, the state today fondly remembered them in a special commemorative ceremony -- the Garo Labour Corps Day.
Braving rains, hundreds of people paid tribute to the war heroes at the cenotaph built in the memory of the Garo soldiers at Tura, the headquarters of West Garo Hills district.
A gun salute was given and wreaths were laid at the cenotaph during the two-hour long celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council chief executive member (CEM), PK Sangma said that Garo Labour Corps Day was a day for introspection.
He suggested that elaborate arrangements be made and a committee constituted to commemorate the upcoming 100 years of Garo Labour Corps Day.
Tura Municipal Board CEO ZJ Sangma for his part stressed on the need to serve the motherland.
In 1917, about 500 Garos were recruited as labourers in the 69th Labour Corps to aid the allies in the making of roads and transport goods during the war.
Of this group, 456 reached France that year and were stationed at Puisieux. They were subsequently engaged in salvage work at Bucquoy before being moved to La Chapellette and then to Brussles.
"The soldiers displayed their courage and bravery during World War I and got international recognition. The recruits won acclaim of the Allied commanders in France," said historian and noted academician Milton Sangma, who has scripted a book on the Garo Labour Corps.
On May 25, 1918, they were sent to Marseilles for repatriation. With many of them dying of sea sickness on their way back, only 120 soldiers reached Tura on July 16, 1918, amidst wild jubilation.
As per records, 58 members of the group died in the war.
