Gravesend’s Pujji Memorial, the town’s latest landmark, has won a prestigious national award following its unveiling last year.

The statue of the Second World War airman, Mahinder Singh Pujji DFC, took sculptor Douglas Jennings, eight months to create and was commissioned to commemorate those from the Commonwealth who fought for Britain from the First World War to the present day.

Erected on the riverfront at St Andrews Gardens, the monument has this month received the Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture after a public fund raised £70,000 for the project..

Gurvinder Sandher, head of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council said: “The Pujji Memorial has become an important landmark in Gravesham and great credit needs to be given not only to the statue sculptor Douglas Jennings, but all the members of the public who donated the funds and Gravesham Borough Council for all their work on the project.

“I was really pleased that the statue won the award as it is a fitting tribute to all those who served this nation with great honour.”

Squadron Leader Pujji was one of the 2.5 million servicemen who came from the Indian subcontinent to fight during the Second World War - the largest volunteer army in history.

In 1940 Pujji was one of 18 qualified Indian pilots who volunteered for the Royal Air Force.

He had a distinguished career during the war, flying with 43 Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery.

Born in 1918 in Simla, India, he lived his last few years in Gravesend and died September 18, 2010, aged 92.

News Shopper: Sculptor Douglas Jennings

The sculptor, Mr Jennings, said: “I immersed myself in the commission for eight months and my references were based on knowledge gleaned from family members and senior members of the RAF.”

Douglas added: “Pujji refused to wear the protective head gear because of his religion.

“Pujji tied his turban in a distinct way with six folds and a high peak.

“It was paramount that I got that right.”

Council leader Cllr John Cubitt added: “The statue has rapidly become a major feature of Gravesend’s historic riverside and it is a wonderful and long-overdue tribute to all those who served this country.”

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Marsh Award, organised by the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, and sponsored by the Marsh Christian Trust.