It’s 20 years since Colonel Samir Roy retired from the Indian army, but it was a career that continues to play a big role in his life.
As co-ordinator for Indian Veterans Victoria, the St Albans resident is responsible for getting former Indian veterans to meet up and take part in events.
After India achieved its independence in 1947, many British officers of the Indian army who opted to settle in Australia organised the Indian Contingent, which marches in the Anzac Day parade every year.
The contingent has about a dozen members scattered across Victoria, with four of them in the west of Melbourne.
Colonel Roy, 76, joined the army in 1964 and was assigned to an infantry regiment.
He fought in three wars – including in China and Pakistan – before retiring in 1994.
For almost 20 years of that service, he was separated from his wife and family. Now he’s keen to keep his two children close by.
“We have come over because our children are settled here,” he said. “It was very, very hard [to be away from my family during war] but once you are in it, you enjoy it.”
Colonel Roy wants to see a large contingent of Indian veterans for the centenary of Anzac Day next year.
For more information about Indian Veterans Victoria, call 9356 9647.
