TOPIC:

While researching the below individual I was very pleased to see that he was attached to the Burma Mounted Infantry (BMI). Here's what I have learned so far.

QSA: CC, OFS, TR - 4135 Pte. W. ROWLANDS. W. RIDING REGT

Three clasp QSA with all clasps correctly riveted: CAPE COLONY, DREIFONTEIN, TRANSVAAL. Rowland's QSA is also entitled to a 1901 Bar which is missing. He is not entitled to a KSA.

The regimental rolls show that this combination of a single medal and bars is UNIQUE to the Regiment for the Boer War. Therefore, only one soldier, ROWLANDS, received this combination of clasps.

Prisoner of War – Released.
Rowlands is shown on the South African War Casualty Roll as missing Sannah’s Post 31 March 1900 with the note “released”. One company of the 2nd Battalion WRR, fought in the war as part of the Burma Mounted Infantry. Research from Ancestry confirms he was attached to the Burma Mounted Infantry (BMI) at Sannah’s Post. The BMI was raised in Rangoon and comprised of three companies of 100 men from the 2nd Battalions of the three regiments based in Burma: Essex Regiment; Durham Light Infantry, and the West Riding Regiment. They left Rangoon on 24/1/1900.

Maurice (Vol 2. Ch 17) says the BMI were present at Korn Spruit (Sannah’s Post)
When the Boers disclosed their admirable ambush, the main body of the cavalry was about half a mile in the rear of the artillery. They at once took cover behind the railway station buildings. The Burma Mounted Infantry battalion was facing the Modder in column of companies when the firing broke out in the Korn Spruit. Colonel Anderson at once sent the Durham Light Infantry company to the assistance of Q Battery. They galloped to the station buildings through a mob of loose horses, dismounted, and extended to the right and left of the guns. The two other companies of the battalion, with a company of 2nd mounted infantry, moved on to the south of the unfinished railway.

If anyone knows of anything else regarding the Burma Mounted Infantry, I would be most appreciative it you could post it on this thread. Thank you in adavance.
Best to all, John

John, Never heard of the Burma MI - so thanks for educating me.

They received quite a few mentions in the newspapers of the day and the York Herald of 11 July 1900 in effect gives the date of release for your medallist.



This photo from The Sphere of 5 May 1900 with the associated words underneath

Thank you VERY much for the clippings and photo. This is all new to me and very much appreciated. The articles mentioning the Burman ponies is interesting, and I wonder what David Grant, the vet thinks about them. The article entitled "The Recovered Prisoners" is helpful as now I know when he was "released". It seems as though he was captured on 31 March and as such was in captivity for about six weeks.
Thanks very much for taking the time to research the BMI. It was a fairly small unit.
ATB John

"FAIR PLAY" in his letter of 3 July 1900 to the Morning Post obviously did not feel the Burma Mounted Infantry received the recognition they were due:



Mildred Dooner in her write up on Lieutenenat Percival Charles Grover did not mention his involvement with the Burma Mounted Infantry, and a name search show this ommission was inherited by this site.

The relevant page of the Burma Mounted Infantry Medal Roll shows FAIR PLAY knew what he was writing about.

There is an earlier topic on thus site regarding the BurmaH MI; contains much info.

Look for topic "Burma Mounted Infantry info sought for its page on this site" from seven years ago.
IL.

Thanks IL. I especially noticed this post by djb:

This is a listing from Sotherby's 1982.

Lieut. P. C. Grover, Shropshire L.I. (2), comprising: I.G.S., 1895, 1-clasp, P,F. 1897-98 (2nd Lt.,1st Bn.- regt.off. corrected), Q.S.A., 1899, 2 clasps. C.C., Drief. (Lieut., 2nd Bn.), virtually mint state and toned (2)

P. C. Grover: Born: 1875: Educated at Rugby; joined Shropshire L.I. in 1895; Lieut., 1899.

The North West Frontier, 1897-98: Served under Sir William Lockhart with the Malakand Field Force, including the operations against the Mahmunds, and in Bajour with the Utman Khel column. Afterwards with the Buner Field Force, including the attack on and capture of the Tanga Pass (Medal & clasp).

The S. African War, 1899-1900: He volunteered for service in South Africa with the Burma Mounted Infantry. During the action at Sannah's Post, the guns of 'Q' Bty., Royal Horse Artillery, were left exposed in the open under heavy fire with many horses killed. Some survivors of the battery. led by Major Phipps-Hornby and Captain Humphreys, went out to manhandle the guns back to safety; several members of the Burma Mounted Infantry came forward and volunteered for this dangerous task, including Lieut. Grover. He was killed whilst saving one of the guns. Mentioned in despatches posthumously by General Broadwood for "conspicuous gallantry" on this occasion, London Gazette, 8 February, 1901 (Queen's medal & 2 clasps).


Perhaps this thread needs amalgamating with the former one.