17th Dogra Regiment Indian Army

The 17th Dogra Regiment left their mark on Burton-on-Trent during the First World War, and there's a memorial here that stops you in your tracks. It's a proper tribute to Indian soldiers who served under the British flag, and it's the sort of thing that makes you realise how the Great War touched every corner of the empire.

You're looking at regimental history in concrete form - a reminder of men who marched and fought thousands of miles from home. The memorial itself is straightforward, dignified. It's not going to take hours to visit, but it's worth knowing about if you're already in the area or staying nearby. History buffs will appreciate the context; anyone with a general interest in the First World War will find it sobering.

The location in Burton means you can swing by whilst exploring the town's industrial heritage or en route to somewhere else. It slots neatly into a broader walking tour of the area. Kingfisher Holiday Park is just down the road if you're basing yourself there for a week - you could easily incorporate this into a morning's exploring without it becoming a pilgrimage.

Timing-wise, bring ten minutes rather than an hour. Go whenever you're passing through; there's no weather that'll stop you reading a memorial. It's free, obviously. Not a day trip destination on its own, but absolutely the sort of stop that adds texture to a Midlands break.