TOPIC: The Indian Contingent

Hi David, The only picture I have found of a Tonga is the one from China as posted already. They saw quite some service at Diamond Hill Johannesburg, Wittenbergen and Belfast so unless they functioned as "dismounted orderlies" I am sure the Tonga was an appropriate vehicle for the terrain. They had previously been used in The Tirah which I imagine can not be less difficult terrain than in South Africa. Your pictures are of Dholies rather than Tongas of which there are far more photographs.
ATB
David

David,

I might be able to redeem myself slightly with this picture I came across this evening. It is entitled 'Drift at Kroonstad Indian Ambulance"


This vehicle looks identical to the ones in India?

Best wishes
David

Redeemed. Well done and many thanks. Where did it come from?
ATB
David

David,

The image came from the Museum in Bloemfontein. The picture is slightly out of focus but I can send you a copy of the original from which which this is a snippet.

best wishes
David

David,

I was browsing the Natal 1906 Medal Roll today and came across the names of the 20 men of the Indian Stretcher Bearer Corps who all received the Natal 1906 Medal without clasp:

Sgt Major GANDHI M.K.
Sgt JOSHI H.I.
Sgt MEDH S.B.
Sgt SHELAT U.M.
Private ADOHASING
Private ALWAR
Private APPALSAMY
Private BOMAYA
Private CDOPOOSAMY
Private JAMALUDDIN
Private KHAN M.
Private KISTAMA
Private KUNJI
Private MAHOMED
Private MAHOMED E.
Private MOOT H.
Private PARBHU H.
Private POOTI N.
Private SHEIK D.M.
Private SHEIK M.

I wonder how many of these also earned the QSA? I can see one at least!

Best wishes
David

I have tended to reject the Indian Bearer Corps as part of the Indian Contingent since they were recruited locally. I do have the roll somewhere which is bound in with the QSAs to other Indians. They wear slouch hats as opposed to turbans of Indian recruited Indians in photos that I have seen. Yes the "sedacious Fakir" is one who got a QSA. I will pull the roll sometime and check for you. Yes a copy of the photo would be great.