A Visit to France: Honouring Nagas and NE Labour Corps of First World War

Dr Jan Ezung Nienu & Elilo Ezung

Born and raised in Wokha Nagaland, we would often hear stories about the French-thava, a Lotha (Kyong) expression referring to the French War (First World War 1914-1918) from our parents and elders. As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Mr Phanrhumo Ezung and Mr Pvuchio Murry of Yonchucho village who were participants in the French-thava, we feel much honored to have visited some of the resting places of our brave forefathers in France over a century later. They were among the 400 Lothas who, along with the rest of the estimated 2000 Nagas, sailed to France to participate in the War. Most records mention participants from the Sumi Tribe as numbering 1000,  Aos 200, Lothas 400, Rengmas 200 and Changs from Tuensang, 200. They were recruited by Herbert Charles Barnes who was the SDO and later the Deputy Commissioner during the British rule in the Naga Hills.

The first group of Naga men arrived in France in June 1917. Another group of men arrived on July 2, 1917.  The Naga Labour Corps were designated in groups as 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th Naga Labour Companies and their services are known to have been particularly utilised in Mametz, Le Transloy, Haute Avesnes, Contalmaison and Guillemont. The Lushai Labour Corps were grouped as 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th Labour Companies.  The Khasis were grouped as 22nd, 34th, 55th and 56th Labour Companies.  The Garos were the 69th and 84th Labour Company, and Manipur were the 39th, 49th, 65th and 66th Labour Companies.  The majority of men from Manipur were Meiteis, Tangkhuls, Koms and Kukis.

On July 5, 2023, we visited St Sever Cemetery Extension at Rouen which lies in the Northern French region. We had a list of Naga names that we had acquired from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website, but on arrival, we also found multiple names belonging to the Khasi, Garo,Lushai, and Manipur Labour Corps. Although we were not sure about all the names due to spelling errors, we took pictures of the ones we assumed were names belonging to Northeast India and later crossed-checked the names on the CWGC website. The Labour Corps members were also given a service number.  On most tombstones, their service number, designated group (such as Naga or Khasi) and date of their death were recorded. However, for some, the designated group name was not mentioned.

We tried our best to take pictures of the graves belonging to the Northeast Labour Corps (NELC) members, but we were unable to do so for all of them. This cemetery was the biggest of those we visited, and we could not locate the tombstones of the following names even with the help of the plot map, although their names are listed on the CWGC website.  But we want to mention their names to show our love, respect and gratitude.

Chong Shen Tonglu. Labourer 1811. 37th (Naga) Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 13 July 1918

Etsowo. Labourer 1082. 36th (Naga) Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 17 Aug 1917

The names on the tombstones we photographed at St. Sever Cemetery and Extension at Rouen are as follows: 

Naga Labour Corps
Lhozouv. Labourer 968. 35th Naga Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 4 January 1918

Luvutha. Labourer 163. 21st/38th Naga Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 15 February 1918

Names of Labour Corps from North-East India
Chawng Chhing Puia. Labourer 2162. 28th Lushai Coy.  Indian Labour Corps.  Died 25 February 1918

Chungtunga/Chuntunga. Labourer 1213. 27thLushai Coy. Indian Labour Corps. 5 April 1918

Chungyang. Follower 1646. 65th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 10 January 1918

Ghijang Marak. Labourer 2078. Indian Labour Corps. Died 1 January 1918

Goran Sangma.  Labourer 404. 69th Garo Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 8May 1918

Hankunga. 28thLushai Coy. Labourer 1060. Indian Labour Corps. Died 11 April 1918

Jhanga/Thanga. Labourer 911. 28thLushai Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 3 March 1918

Jhian Sangma. Labourer 816. 69th Garo Coy. Indian Labour Corps.  Died 4 January 1918

Jongai. Labourer 428. 39th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 7 May 1918 

Kachao Wang. Labourer 2013. 66th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 13 February 1918

Kawlkhomo. Labourer 1086. 27thLushai Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 12 July 1918

Khambel Kuki. Labourer 1508. 40th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 26 January 1918

Kom Mateh. Labourer 2395. 56th Khasi Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 22 March 1918

Kruyi Synteng. Labourer 1596. 55th Khasi Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 1 Feb 1918

Lianbawia. Labourer 1969. 26thLushai Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 7 April 1918

Luishi. Labourer 916. 65th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 2 January 1918

Mangeithong. Labourer 1380. 40th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 4 February 1918

Mashangam. Labourer 2159. 66th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 10 February 1918

MaungMyin. Labourer 2493. 40th/59th Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 17 May 1918

Mingnga. Labourer 925. 65th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 17 January 1918

Moktol Kuki. Labourer 1249. 40th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 27 February 1918

MulukNongrum. Labourer 430. 34th Khasi Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 16 October 1918

Naineng. Labourer 1448. Indian Labour Corps. Died 16 May 1918

Putanleng. Labourer 20100. Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 7 April 1918

Rhamba. Labourer 928. 65th Manipur Coy. Died 2 January 1918 (He is mentioned as follower)

Saihleia. Labourer 559. 28thLushai Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 1 June 1918

Shoiphunga. Mate 601. 40th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 3 May 1918

TroSungkli. Labourer 1916. 26th Khasi Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 28 April 1918

Yam Kielam/Yamkiela. Labourer 1615. 65th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 4 May 1918

On the sixth of July, we visited the La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery. This cemetery is located on the outskirts of Peronne, a small town in North France, which is about 130 kilometre from Paris. Here we found the largest number of Naga tombstones compared to other cemeteries.

Naga Labour Corps
Khoir Kahmo. Labourer 1079. 36th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 16 November 1917

Khukhetha. Labourer 934. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 5 December 1917

Khukhei. Labourer 1855. 38th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 23 January 1918

Lhovekhe. Labourer 1683. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 7 December 1917

Pammat Kaleppa. Labourer 1908. 37th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 January 1918

Ye Khul. Labourer 1341/1741. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 24 December 1917

Yenko Alika. Labourer 1479. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 7February 1918

Yosukhe. Labourer 814. 38th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 30 January 1918.

Zukhehe. Labourer 902/972. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 3 February 1918

Zuren Thang. Labourer 1786. 36th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 January 1918.  The name is misspelled here. The correct spelling is Zurenthung from Sanis village, belonging to the Lotha tribe.  Most of the names on the tombstones were misspelled. We wanted the readers to be informed, so we documented the name as it appeared on the tombstone.

Even at this cemetery, we could not locate some of the Naga names as shown on the CWGC website. However, we would like to mention their names and details to show our respect and honour.

Ron Mamgar. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 6 September 1917

Bagbirtamang. Labourer 4007. 35th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. 18 December 1917

Raliwir. Labourer 1060. 36th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 28 January 1918

PammatKaleppa. Labourer 1908. 37th (Naga). Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 January 1918

Names of Labour Corps from Northeast India
Ading Sangma. Labourer 2058. 69th (Garo). Indian Labour Coy. Died 6 April 1918

Aung Tun Bye. Labourer 2733. 59th (Burman). Indian Labour Coy. Died 24 Dec 1917

Bengiyngdoh. Labourer 1010. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 2 January 1918

Chunku Soren. Labourer 871. 34th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 10 September 1917.

Denglinguh. Labourer 1006. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 26 February/January 1918 

Dontlang. Labourer 1107. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 16 December 1917

Ellias, Labourer 879. 22nd Khasi Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 21 February 1918

EtwaKachua. Labourer 615. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 12 August 1917

Hankunga, Labourer 1060. 28thLushai Coy. India Labour Corps. . Died 11 April 1918

Jhanga/Thanga. Labourer 911. 28thLushai Coy. India Labour Corps.. Died 3 March 1918

Jongai. Labourer 428/ 39th Manipur Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 7 May 1918 

Junmyrthong. Labourer 689. 55th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 22 November 1017

Kapani Asiho/Kapani Ashio. Labourer 119. 39th (Manipuri). Indian Labour Coy. Died 3 December 1917

Kat Maria. Labourer 755. 22nd Khasi Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 3 March 1918

Khambel Kuki. Labourer 1508. 40th Manipur Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 26 January 1918

KhrooShyrmang. Labourer 906. (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 22 February 1918  

Kiang Masa. Labourer 1234. 22ndKhasis Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 14February 1918

Kiri Sungo. Labourer 1614. 22nd Khasi. Indian Labour Coy. Died 10 March 1918

Lanu Papeng. Labourer 949. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 2 February 1918

Lokhon Shen. Labourer 463. 22nd Khasi) Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 24 February 1918

Mangeithong. Labourer 1380. 40th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 4 February 1918

Mashangam. Labourer 2159. 66th Manipur Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 10 February 1918 

Maung Hmaing. Labourer 2543. 39th (Manipuri). Indian Labour Coy. Died 21 January 1918

Mihthangkhu. Labourer 1423. 55th (Khasi) Indian Labour Coy 23 November 1917.

Mir Marangor. Labourer 1536. 56th (Khasi)n Indian Labour Coy. Died 7 March 1918 

Mirangor. Labourer 1536. 56th (Khasi)n Indian Labour Coy. Died 7 March 1918

Mithu. Labourer 1983. 69th (Garo)n Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 November 1917

MohamKhyriem. Labourer 842. 34th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 2 October 1917

Mon Lamare. Labourer 1159. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. 20 November 1917

Muluk Nongrum. Labourer 430. 34th Khasi Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 16 October 1918 

Non Sing Khongla. Labourer 1025. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 16 December 1917

Phen Maranga. Labourer 1534. 56th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 12 February 1918

Phrangkih Tinniun/Timmun. Labourer 1273.  55th (Khasi). India Labour Corps. Died 15 December 1917

Rai Pala. Labourer 1132. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 9 November 1917

RangsaSangma. Labourer 2064. 69th (Garo). Indian Labour Coy. Died 19 December 1917

Shaisumr. Labourer 1211. 55th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 19 December 1917

Shoiphunga. Mate 601. 40th Manipur Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 3 May 1918 

Sholi Shom. Labourer 1386. (Khasi). India Labour Corps. Died 22 February 1918

Shoshi Limu. Labourer 547. (Manipuri). India Labour Corps. Died 6December 1917

Sya Tlong. Labourer 919. 22ndKhasia Coy. India Labour Corps. Died 24 February 1918

Thaksmat. Labourer 1148. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 2 January 1918

Thir Soh Phon. Labourer 1676. 55th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 5 October 1917

Thurmavung/ThurmVung. Labourer 1384. 40th (Manipuri). Indian Labour Coy. Died 19 December 1917

Tyngir. Labourer 1005. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 13 February 1918

U Shin. Labourer 1743. 56th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 6 October 1917

Umamohir. Labourer 236. 34th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 8 February 1918

Waidng Shyrmang. Labourer 1141. 22nd (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 February 1918

Wersho. Labourer 1930. 55th (Khasi). Indian Labour Coy. Died 17 September 1917

On the seventh of July 2023, we visited Unicorn Cemetery at Vendhuile. It is located 23 kilometres away from Saint Quentin, which is about 150 kilometres from Paris. The taxi ride from Saint Quentin to the cemetery was absolutely scenic with vast acres of corn, wheat, potatoes, and beets farmlands. As our taxi driver patiently waited for us, we combed through the tombstones. There were only four Indian tombstones at this cemetery, and Thezamo Lotha was one of them. Although his name was recorded as Thazamo, his correct spelling is Thezamo from Pangti Village (Lotha tribe). Alongside his tombstone was an unknown name marked as “An Unknown Indian Soldier of the Great War” which could possibly have been one of the Labourers from the Northeast as they were grouped together with two other Indian soldiers, namely Kirpa Singh and Gulab Shah.

Thazamo Lotha. 1493 Labourer. 35th Naga Labour Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 12 September 1917

On the ninth of July, our final visit was to the Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial, located in Richebourg, about 28 kilometres from Lille. Lille is a city bordering Belgium. Unlike the other cemeteries, this one was only a memorial without any dedicated tombstones. The Chapelle commemorates the Indian soldiers and labourers who fought on the Western front and have no known graves. As we walked inside the memorial, it was an overwhelming experience, and we were very emotional to see the names of the 4700 Indian soldiers and labourers who are commemorated there. The names of those in the ILC are inscribed on Panels 39, 40, and 41. The names of the following Nagas were inscribed on these panels.

Naga Labour Corps
Lokhete. Labourer 953. Indian Labour Corps. Died 3 June 1917.

Chemdeba. Service 1627. Died 21 July 1917. 

Chhinga. Labourer 981. Indian Labour Corps. Died 8 May 1918

Changsi. Labourer 1406. Indian Labour Corps. Died 3 May 1917

Kallu. Labourer 403. 35th (Naga) Coy. Attd. 71st (United Provinces) Coy. Died 19 December 1917

Lachhi. Labourer 893. 35th Naga Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 29 December 1917

Khuzulho. Labourer 973. 35th Naga Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died December 1917

Yezevi. Labourer 1242. Indian Labour Corps. Died 1 January 1918

Shena. Follower 1188. Indian Labour Corps. Died 25 May 1917

Yolongsa. Labourer 1409. Indian Labour Corps. Died 7 December 1917

Tongjathang. Labourer 1643. Indian Labour Corps. Died 16 July 1917

Chongsana. Labourer 1341. Indian Labour Corps. Died 14 June 1917

We were not able to visit two other cemeteries on our trip. One is the Ayette Indian and Chinese Cemetery, which has 86 tombstones, out of which two are Nagas. The cemetery is located approximately 173 kilometres from Paris in Pas-de-Calais in the South of France. Although we could not visit this cemetery, we would like to mention the names of Nagas and fellow Northeasters who lie buried there. 

Paruwati. 2257 Labourer. 37th (Naga).  Indian Labour Coy. Died 15 December 1917

Shekhu, Labourer 596. 38th (Naga).  Indian Labour Coy. Died 18 January 1918

Liapawnga, Labourer Service no 1000. 28th Lushai Labour Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 28 July 1917

NgahSuaka. Labourer Service no 1820. 29th Lushai Labour Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 5 December 1917

Rangkhuma. Labourer  949. 28th Lushai  Indian Labour Coy. Died 31 July 1917

Thatchina. Labourer Service no 1319. 27th Lushai Labour Coy. Indian Labour Corps. Died 21 July 1917.

The other cemetery we were unable to visit was Mazarquez Cemetery Extension at Marseilles, where the following Nagas lie buried.

Mate KuhoiSema Naga. Mate 878. 35th (Naga) Labour Coy. Died 25 December 1917

Khuchezu. Labourer 988. Indian Labour Corps. Died 14 February 1918

Khunushu. Labourer 504. 21st (Naga) Labour Coy. Died 15 July 1917

Keilho. Labourer 899. Naga Labour Corps. Died 7 July 1917

Luchezu. Labourer 353. Indian Labour Corps. Died 5 July 1917

Lhozuse. Labourer 680. Indian Labour Corps. Died 11 July 1917

Kuhoi Sema was also known as Kuhoi Zhimomi, son of Naga Chief Sukhai Zhimomi. His original grave marker recorded that Kuhoi took 24 heads and was present at the death of 130 enemies in battle. Kuhoi is the possibly the only Naga addressed as Mate on the tombstone. According to Australian journalist Margaret Burin, who writes about the usage of this word during the First World War, the term ‘Mate’ was used to conjure images of young men providing unconditional support for one another in the toughest of conditions (Burin, 2015). Hence, we can gather that Kuhoi was acknowledged by his comrades. The Naga Labour Corps, along with the rest of the ILC was made up of non-combatants who did not carry big military titles, but they served as essential workers supporting the troops in building trenches, repairing and building roads and railways, carrying the war-wounded, and doing all the manual work to provide assistance where needed

Former honourable minister, the late Mr. T Kikon, documented in the article “A Pioneer’s Words Proved Prophetic,” published October 8, 2019, in the Nagaland Post that Wonimo Murry from Okotso village was the first Naga to become a sub-overseer during the British rule. He was later promoted to Section Officer in 1912.  He supervised the road construction of Kohima, Zunheboto, and Mokokchung.Wonimo also went to France as one of the leaders and member of the Labour Corps. Lumbemo Shitiri from Pangti village, a Labour Corps participant, narrated to Mr Kikon that Naga Labour Corps landed at Marseilles in France. As recorded by Mr Kikon,

“The Nagas worked hard and sincerely and the British could see this but the Nagas were not given sufficient food. Nagas were rice eaters and the European diet did nothing to sustain their appetite of these brave elders in a strange land. On top of that, the Nagas were not treated at par with others and there was much discrimination against them. With very little to eat and not enough clothing against the cold climate, Wonimo Murry as leader had asked the British officer Mr Barnesto provide sufficient clothing and food to the Nagas. The British officer Mr Herbert Charles Barnes took it as an insult that a mere labourer could ask him for such petition. Barnes was the SDO posted in Mokokchung who had also accompanied the Nagas to France. Many Nagas perished in France as they were either killed in the warfront or due to illness.”

Kikon also mentioned that on his return to Nagaland in 1918, Herbert Charles Barnes terminated Wonimo from his position by giving his discharge papers.  Wonimo Murry went back to his village, living a purposeful life as a social worker and helping others in need.  His son, the late Rev Ellis Murry, was a prominent missionary among the Nagas. Kikon also mentioned that alongside Wonimo, Shanjamo Jungi, the first Naga to be educated in the United States, served as one of the persons-in-charge of the Nagas.

The Naga Labour Corps, cut off from their comfort zone of foraging, fishing, and hunting, and removed from their agrarian culture of rice, meat, and vegetables as their staple food, was drafted to assist alongside the Allied Forces and taken to a foreign land with a culture, climate and food they were not accustomed to. While in France, they carried out manual labour and physical work demands enough food for sustenance.  To learn that they did not have enough rations was heart-wrenching. Leaders like Mr Murry advocated for more food and clothes to keep the Nagas warm and well fed. To care for and protect his team members was true leadership on the part of Wonimo Murry. He behaved as a leader should.  We want to express our respect and gratitude to him for his excellent and exemplary leadership.  

As we located the tombstones of our Naga Labour Corps members, we prayed and thanked each of them, touching their tombstones with sadness, pride, and honour.  It was truly a great privilege for us to be able to see their resting places. We were also emotional and could not contain our tears as we prayed together. We could only imagine what it was like as we thought of how much they must have suffered with the lack of food and clothes, and with missing their loved ones and their homeland amidst the brutal war. Their sacrifice broke our hearts.

The remaining Naga Labour Corps members returned home. Inspired by their observations and experience in France, they decided to start a socio-political awareness group and formed the “Naga Club” in 1918, the first political platform established to regain our independent living as it was before the British Invasion of the Naga Hills.

Exactly a hundred years later after their departure to France, the World War 1 Naga Labour Corps Memorial Monolith was unveiled in 2017 in Kohima to mark the role and sacrifice of the Naga Labour Corps. During this time, the building of a Memorial Park around it was also announced. Our humble reminder to the Government of Nagaland is how important it is to complete the proposed Memorial Park in honour of the veterans of the First World War - the Naga Labour Corps who sacrificed their lives so that we can have a better future and who are also our pioneers.  We also suggest that a Naga Labour Corps Memorial Day be observed in Nagaland to give due honour to our Naga heroes who deserve to be honoured and remembered. 

We will be more than happy to share the pictures with the nearest kin in honour of their grandfathers who gave their lives so that we could have a better future. The nearest kin are welcome to contact either one of us.  We may have missed a few and may not have all the pictures, but we do want to share the ones we located.  Our prayer is that the pictures will bring closure to the families of the Naga Labour Corps, as well as the Northeast India Labour Corps members. 

Jan Ezung Nienu is an educator/author living in California.  [email protected]
Elilo Ezung is a doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh. [email protected]