TOPIC: The Indian Contingent

On page 11 of these notes I mentioned the Queen's Medal to Sowar (Sal)utri Hayat Khan of the 1st Bengal Lancers. With the recent loss of so many of my garrison from the Cape in London last week I decided to revisit the records of the stalwarts that remained.

For those who need a refresher. 1035 Sowar Salutri Hayat Khan, 1st Bengal Lancers, is on the QSA roll for the clasps Natal and Transvaal & also on the King's Medal roll for the two clasps. Fortunately for me he is also on the roll for "B Section No. 6 Field Veterinary Hospital" as a farrier for the clasp "Transvaal' From this I surmised that Hayat Khan served at the Remount Depot – Mooi River and then with B Section No. 6 Field Veterinary Hospital after the Siege of Ladysmith and Belfast. No other information known. Also important for the story is that there are no other "Hayat Khans on the roll. The other note for those unfamiliar with Indian Ranks is that a "Salutri" is a man especially selected in a cavalry regiment for his veterinary knowledge.

The 1919 Indian Army List has the following:-

I noted this but considered that it was unlikely that a sowar would be commissioned into an infantry regiment.

The body of the list has Jemadar Hayat Khan :-

The reference (65) refers to :-

There is no other Indian Infantry Officer who has the same qualification listed in any Indian Army List that I have.

Subadar Hayat Khan, 17th Infantry( The Loyal Regiment), late 1st Bengal Lancers also served also in "The war of 1914-18 - Operations in G. E. A. Operations. Operations in Egypt"

The 17th were disbanded in 1922. No further information

Picture courtesy of DNW

It has been almost exactly 2 years since we last saw this Syce (Rather than Bhisti)

QSA Bronze (426 Bhisti Mowla, S. & T. Corps, Secbd. D.)

Medal confirmed on the Supply & Transport Corps (Madras Command, Secunderabad District) roll signed at Stellenbosch, South Africa on 29 December 1902 (WO 100/297 refers).