A BRIGADE of heroic First World War Indian and British soldiers were commemorated by a party from the north west.

The Jullundur Brigade - now part of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, which recruits from East Lancashire - was remembered by more than 200 schoolchildren, cadets, religious leaders and military men.

They attended a special service at the Indian Army Memorial at Neave-Chapelle in France and went to a 'Last Post' ceremony at the Menin Gate, as well as visiting nearby battlefields and war cemeteries.

Colonel Chris Owen, the regimental secretary of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "There were Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians in the Jullundur Brigade, a microcosm of the area where we recruit now.

"The multi-cultural element of the war is often overlooked, but we have to remember that it was an empire then and we have a Commonwealth now.

"This is all about strengthening ties between us and the community and celebrating our shared history and knowledge."

The visit was funded by a £30,000 Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant.

Defence minister Anna Soubry said: "Projects like the Jullundur Brigade Commemoration are excellent examples of what can be achieved using this funding and how we can strengthen the relationships between our Armed Forces and our local communities, recognising the proud heritage we all share.”