"Hira Singh: When India Came to Fight in Flanders" is a novel written by Talbot Mundy. It tells the story of Hira Singh, a Sikh soldier from India who volunteers to fight alongside British forces in World War I. The novel follows Hira Singh's journey from his homeland in Punjab to the Western Front in Flanders, Belgium. It explores his experiences as a soldier, the challenges he faces, and his interactions with fellow soldiers from different backgrounds. Mundy delves into themes of loyalty, identity, and the clash of cultures during a time of war. "Hira Singh" offers a unique perspective on the First World War, shedding light on the contributions and sacrifices made by soldiers from India who fought alongside the British. Talbot Mundy's writing style often combines adventure, history, and elements of mysticism, creating a captivating narrative that immerses readers in the protagonist's journey.
An English author of adventure fiction, Talbot Mundy (born William Lancaster Gribbon, 23 April 1879 – 5 August 1940) was born in London. Walter Galt was the pen name he used while he wrote. His books King of the Khyber Rifles and The Winds of the World are his best-known works. Without any qualifications, Mundy dropped out of Rugby School and relocated to Germany with his beloved fox terrier in search of a job as a van-truck driver. Throughout his life, Mundy was married five times. He was a loving and forgiving stepfather to Dick Ames, the son of his fourth wife, despite the fact that he had lost his own biological child through stillbirth. He never created a written outline for his stories before he actually wrote them. Mundy normally got up around three or four in the morning and worked seven hours a day, six days a week. He enjoyed beginning each chapter of his novels with a proverb or verse. Throughout his life, he smoked a lot of cigarettes—up to fifty a day at one point—but in 1936, due to sickness, he gave up the habit. At age 61, Mundy passed away at home on August 5, 1940, while sleeping. His death was attributed by the certifying physician to diabetes-related myocardial insufficiency. At Florida's Baynard Crematorium in St. Petersburg on August 6, his body was cremated.
