TOPIC:

Thanks Justin, I have it on file but thanks for thinking of me. That would be a lovely medal to have. I wonder if his experience of the siege was typical of many others.
ATB
David

It would indeed be an excellent medal to have! This is the first time I have read of anyone in such circumstances being captured by the Boers. The fact that Syce Khan was twice released by the Boers is very surprising. I wonder which Commando(es) was (were) involved?

Regards
Brett

I have added new research into 1206 Sowar Shaikh Noor Mohamed1st Bombay Lancers on the 1st page of this thread. Now a unique group to the Indian Army.

David
Congratulations on reaching another milestone with your collection. It is apt reward for your diligence and persistence. It is a pity about the missing medals in many of the Indian groups, but the search for 're-unites' must add something to your collecting passion for these soldiers and their medals.
Regards
Brett

David Grant wrote: 1.Un-named - issued in bulk to South Africa and remained in South Africa for distribution to "native participants"
1a.Cape Named to 7(? - there is a reference somewhere to coloured participants)
1b.Privately named - there is one to a casualty of Mafeking that I am aware of.
2. Named in cursive script to Indian participants in India and distributed from there from stock forwarded from South Africa.
3.Named in impressed block capitals at the Mint to Servants , European and Indian, and members of the Indian Ordinance Corps and Hospital Corps.
4. Toad Hall naming and other flights of fantasy.

I had previously posted this to which I can now add, with the addition of medal to Duffadar Doulet, that late issues were also impressed named by the Royal Mint. Doulat's medal issued in 1910

Brett Hendey wrote: It would indeed be an excellent medal to have! This is the first time I have read of anyone in such circumstances being captured by the Boers. The fact that Syce Khan was twice released by the Boers is very surprising. I wonder which Commando(es) was (were) involved?

Regards
Brett

“One day about 30 Indian grooms of the Military Officers of the garrison were sent to cut mealie stalks and grass for the Officers' chargers. I was after the same on this day. I had crossed the Klip River and made my way to the wagon, standing about 50 yards from the bank. I saw all the coolies away ahead of me. They did not seem to have any fear, and went on with their cutting and talking as though no enemy was near. Suddenly, and just as I was about to join the party of cutters, several Boers stood up in the long grass and opened fire on the coolies. This is what I overheard: "Nihi, Sahib; No shootee me! Me no make fighting! Me Indian coolie man! Me no say "Helbagari!" Dutchman, me say "Helbagari" Englishman! "Helbagari Skoshman! Nihi Sahib! Nihi! Ahrrrrrr…!" A couple were wounded and captured, while the remainder bolted for it. The line of fire was straight for the wagon I was standing behind, and of course all the coolies made a bee line for it. Bullets were whizzing over me and around me, so I joined the stampede. The first question I was asked by the officer was, "Where's the buck and the birds? I should have thought you would have brought in quite a brace of partridges and a buck or two, judging from the amount of firing I heard in the mealie field.”(Lieutenant H Hurst, “The Funny Side of Some Old Natal Wars", Broadcast at SABC, 11 May 1940.KCM, Dawes Collection, File B, No. 16}