London, November 29, 2003

The locals in Middlesbrough are remembering one of the first Sikhs who set up home in England
after arriving by a boat that was hit by a Japanese torpedo killing many people.

Amar Singh Rathore's story is no different from that of countless others from the Indian
sub-continent who came to work and live in Britain over the years. But the way the local community
remembers him is.

He was one of the first Sikhs to live in Middlesbrough, in the north of England. He died on November
27, 1951, and the local community is now remembering him in a three-day ceremony.

Rathore came to Middlesbrough in 1944 and set up home in St Hilda's.

The journey here was dangerous. A Japanese torpedo struck a boat in which he and others were
travelling looking for a better life, and many were killed.

At that time there were only four Asian people living in the St Hilda's area and they all shared a
house.

Rathore had visited the Teesside town and was impressed. He decided to come here in search of a
better life than he had in India.

The idea was that he would set up home here and establish a business as a draper salesman
before his sons and his wife, Taj Kaur, would join him.

Although his sons Karnel and Chanan joined him in 1947, his wife did not arrive until 1951 -- just six
weeks before he died of liver failure.

The family bought a home in North Ormesby where it was welcomed by the community.

"They were welcomed with open arms. Everybody knew everybody in North Ormesby in those days.
Everybody took care of everyone," said his grandson, Gurmeet.

The three-day ceremony in memory and celebration of his life was held at the Middlesbrough Sikh
Temple.

(Source IANS)