TORONTO, Oct 30 — Canada will unveil a commemorative stamp this Sunday to honour Sikh soldiers who have served in the country’s armed forces for more than a century. Produced by Canada Post, the stamp will be launched during the 18th Annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony, which the community marks each year on November 2.
The new stamp acknowledges both historical and contemporary Sikh contributions to the Canadian military. “This decision by the Canadian government recognises Sikh Canadian soldiers’ service for over 100 years,” said former MP Tarlochan Singh. “The stamp pays tribute not only to the ten Sikh soldiers who joined during the First World War but also to those who continue to serve today.”
Singh said the timing of the release aligns perfectly with the annual remembrance event. “This ceremony honours Sikh soldiers who fought alongside Canadian allies during the World Wars. It’s fitting that the stamp is being unveiled here — where we gather to remember their sacrifice,” he added.
The ceremony is held each year at the grave of Private Bukkan Singh, the only known Sikh soldier from the World Wars buried in Canada. Bukkan Singh served with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France and Belgium before dying of his wounds in 1919 at a hospital in Kitchener, Ontario. His grave, maintained for more than a century, has become a symbol of Sikh military service in Canada.
At the onset of the First World War, thousands of Sikhs sought to enlist, but only ten were accepted into the Canadian forces. The new stamp acknowledges their perseverance and contribution to the country’s history.
This is not the first time Canada has commemorated Sikh heritage through postage stamps. In 1999, Canada Post issued a Baisakhi anniversary stamp featuring the Khanda, the Sikh emblem representing divine wisdom. Another was released in 2014 to mark the centenary of the Komagata Maru incident, in which hundreds of passengers from British India were denied entry to Canada due to discriminatory laws.
Historical records note that the earliest Sikhs arrived in Canada in 1897 as part of a British Army contingent. The latest stamp, Singh said, stands as a tribute to “a community whose courage, loyalty, and service have become part of Canada’s story.”
