Ian Hislop explores the compelling and poignant stories of soldiers from across the British Empire during the First World War. Ian meets descendents of soldiers from diverse parts of the Empire: from India, Jamaica, Ireland and Canada. He discovers the soldiers’ reasons for joining up, how they were treated by their comrades and superiors, and how their service affected the Empire and even helped shape emerging national identities. Some were shamefully exploited, some celebrated and honoured, many nearly forgotten. Of all of these Soldiers of Empire , Ian asks whether they should have fought for us, and reveals that, in fact, they were “us”.

Monday 9 November 2009
8:00pm, Channel 4