- Jay Singh said he hopes this recognition will inspire more people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to consider serving their country—whether in the armed forces, public service, or community initiatives
- His work continues to highlight the shared history between Britain and its Commonwealth partners, bringing visibility and respect to stories that had long remained on the margins
Captain Jay (Jagjeet) Singh-Sohal, a British Sikh army reservist and communications specialist, has been honoured with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his long-standing work in preserving the legacy of Sikh soldiers who fought for Great Britain. The award was presented at St James’s Palace by Princess Anne, marking a milestone moment in the recognition of Sikh military history in the U.K.
Born in Birmingham and raised in a family with deep roots in Punjab, Singh-Sohal founded the World War I Sikh Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in 2015. The memorial was created to ensure that the sacrifices of Sikh soldiers—who served in enormous numbers during both world wars—are formally remembered in a dedicated national space. The 150-acre arboretum hosts over 400 memorials, and the Sikh Memorial remains one of its most significant additions, symbolising courage, shared military history, and diverse contributions to the British armed forces.
- Jay Singh attended the OBE ceremony in uniform, accompanied by his wife Sukhmani and their children
- He reflected emotionally on the meaning of the honour, noting that for many Sikhs in Britain, representation at such a level remains powerful and deeply symbolic
- He shared that he spoke to the Princess Royal about the importance of storytelling in military history and how vital it is for younger generations to know the contributions of Commonwealth soldiers
The award also carried personal significance. Singh-Sohal spoke of his grandparents, who migrated from Jalandhar and Kapurthala to the U.K. in the 1960s in search of stability after the Second World War. He said they likely never imagined their grandson would receive such a distinguished British honour. He credited their work ethic, humility, and faith-based values as the foundation for his own commitment to service. He dedicated the award to his grandparents, Sardar Maha Singh and Mohinder Kaur Sohal, acknowledging the generational journey that shaped him.
