Meghalaya delegation identifies three WW1 graves of Garo men in Malta

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma. Photo courtesy of www. meghalaya.gov.in

A delegation from Meghalaya has identified the graves of three Garo men who served with the British 69th Garo Labor Company during World War I at the Pieta Military Cemetery in the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, officials said on Saturday (Sep 26, 2026).

Until now, the grave of Khewa Marak, who died on 15 June 1918, was believed to be the only known Garo grave of a member of the 69th Garo Labor Company in the cemetery.

A delegation led by Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma paid tribute to four Garo men from Meghalaya who are buried at the Commonwealth-maintained military cemetery, officials said.

“We have successfully identified the graves of three Garo men in Malta. We were forced to understand that they came to the aid of the Allies during World War I,” Sangma told PTI.

During the visit, the delegation identified the graves of Ading Marak and Join Marak, who both died on 10 June 1918, and Sangjim Sangma, who died on 19 June 1918.

The Garo Labor Company was among the labor units recruited from the region during World War I to support the Allied war effort, with its members performing tasks such as road construction, maintenance and transporting supplies.

The discovery brought to light an important connection between Meghalaya’s history and India’s wider contribution to the Allied war effort during the world wars.

Paying tribute to the fallen, Mr. Sangma said the visit was deeply significant for Meghalaya as it revealed the resting places of Garo men whose contributions and sacrifices remained largely unknown.

The delegation included Deputy Speaker Limison D Sangma, Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh and Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Marthon J. Sangma. Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretary Malthus S. Sangma and Deputy Secretary Raja Kharpuri also accompanied the delegation.

According to Mr Thomas, the visit to Malta was part of the delegation’s post-conference study tour following its participation in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Published – 26 Sep 2026 11:56 IST