A new permanent exhibition will highlight a chapter in the history of Brighton 's famous Royal Pavilion. During World War One the royal palace was transformed into a military hospital for wounded Indian soldiers.

Between 1914 and 1916 more than 4,000 Indian soldiers, who were fighting under British command on the Western Front in France and Flanders , were treated at the Royal Pavilion.

One in ten of Britain ’s fighting men in WW1 were Indians or Ghurkas.

Writer, broadcaster, and editor of Private Eye Ian Hislop has welcomed the opening of the exhibition.

Hislop said:
“This is a terrific idea from a uniquely fascinating period of history - when the soldiers of the Empire ended up in Brighton Pavilion having fought for Britain in WWI.”

Lavish public rooms, such as the Banqueting Room and Music Room, were transformed into wards and the Great Kitchen was even used as an operating theatre.

The soldiers were amazed at being cared for in such grand surroundings. One wrote to a friend back in India : "Our hospital is in the place where the King used to have his throne. The men in the hospital are tended like flowers."

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said:
"We are delighted that Ian Hislop has taken such an interest in our new and fascinating exhibition and we hope he will be able to visit in the very near future.

“This is an amazing and often forgotten story from the city's past.

"Looking around the Royal Pavilion now, with its glittering chandeliers, sumptuous furnishings and exotic decoration, it is almost impossible to imagine it as a military hospital.

"This new permanent exhibition will give local residents and visitors an opportunity to find out more about this fascinating period in the palace's history."

Archive photographs, paintings, contemporary accounts and newsreel footage will help to bring the story to life, along with exhibits such as a Gurkha knife, Lee Enfield rifle, extracts from the soldiers’ letters to complement the photographs, a ward menu discovered under the floorboards and hookah pipe found discarded in the grounds.


A programme of special events is being organised to tie in with the exhibition, including Dr Brighton's Indian Patients (£20) on Thursday April 1, which will include a private tour of the gallery with David Beevers, Keeper of the Royal Pavilion, and The Royal Pavilion Military Hospital as a Vision of the Empire (£10), an illustrated talk by Kevin Bacon, Curator of Photography on Thursday April 15.

To book call 03000 290902

For more information view:
www.royalpavilion.org.uk