AS we reflect, this weekend, on those who lost their lives in conflict, an exhibition in Bradford looks at the role of an army often overlooked in history books.

The Indian Army in the First World War is the focus of a display which has been touring Bradford venues this week. Produced by the Bradford World War I Group, it is at Kirkgate Shopping on Saturday, where the winner of the centre’s Bradford’s Young War Poet competition will read her verse.

The exhibition has also been at venues including a Muslim community centre and a Gurdwara this week. Tricia Restorick, president of Bradford World War I Group, said: “We were approached by Bradford Council’s Communities Department who had been asked, at a Muslim day centre, ‘Can we join in Remembrance Day? Is it for us too?’

“As a result, our exhibition has appeared at several Bradford venues - Guru Gobind Gurdwara; Khidmat day centre; Jamia Masjid Centre in Manningham and at Bradford College. Visitors were encouraged to bring things like artefacts, photographs and documents along, revealing more about the Indian Army’s contribution to the First World War.”

In July, a wreath was laid at the Bradford Pals memorial in remembrance of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the war. “It was small, quiet gesture - long overdue, but wholly appropriate,” said Tricia. “The two men who laid the wreath were born in Bradford of South Asian heritage and both served in HM Forces.”

The winner of the Bradford's War Poet is 13-year-old Aamna Rafaqat from Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, who will read her poem on Saturday.

The Armistice Day event at Kirkgate Shopping starts at 10.45am and there will be a two minute silence with The Royal British Legion at 11am. This will be followed by performances from award-winning spoken word artist Anthony Anaxagorou and the three competition finalists who will receive their prizes. In second and third place are Katie Hammond (10) from Wellington Primary School, and Finlay Cooper Butters (seven) from Horton Park Academy.

Launched by Kirkgate Shopping and Reading Matters, the competition drew entries from over 100 students from schools, and drama, speech and writing groups. Bradford’s young people showed “talent beyond their years” said judge Anthony Anaxagorou, who designs programmes to engage students who are underachieving in literacy. He said: “Aamna's neat and emotive poem captured the trepidation of soldiers."

He added: “Katie’s was another excellent entry, I really enjoyed the form her poem took with how it subtly hints at despair without saying too much. Finally, I loved Finlay’s use of metaphor and the quiet lament found in lines, another poignant piece. A huge well done to all entrants, it’s very exciting to see the writing talent coming from the next generation of poets in Bradford!”

Catherine Riley, centre manager at Kirkgate Shopping, said: "We have a long-standing relationship with The Royal British Legion so we’re thrilled to share the day with the wonderful fundraising team. We believe it’s important that the district’s young people can truly get involved in Remembrance Day weekend so having the ‘Bradford’s Young War Poet’ event adds a new and engaging element for them.”