TOPIC:

Sorry I tried to tidy up the last post but was defeated. The medal to Yelmel Jaga is now superfluous to requirements after my success at DNW. He is not on the roll for the Sudan Medals despite being a member of the same unit as Beswi Narsunloo.

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902 bronze issue 617 Dhooly Bearer, Narayan Rama S. &T. Corps
Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04, 617 Dly. Br.Narayan Rama 65th N.F.H.C.



ex AA Upfill-Brown Collection
Dix, Noonan & Webb 4 Dec 91
Bosleys 14th June 2006 lot 547

Narayan Rama

Dooly Bearer Narayen Rama served with the Dooly Bearer Corps, Mhow District, and was present at Belfast, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith and Laing's Nek. (WO 100/298 p 149) He returned to India and later served with the 65th Native Field Hospital Corps in the 3rd Expedition in Somaliland 1902-04. Original the 65th served on the Berbera-Bohotle force

58th, 65th and 69th Native Field Hospital Corps served in the Third Expedition (4th November 1902, to 3rd July 1903)

65th Native Field Hospital Corps known

Dly Br Ramphal Durga Phillip Burman Feb 2001 £200 ( 479 Dhooly Bearer Ramfal Doorga Mhow District QSA)
617 Dly. Br.Narayan Rama

Dooly Bearers at Elandslaagte

That night, friend and foe sat round coal fires at the station, keeping out the chill of a drizzle and sharing what food they could find. Away on the hillside, lanterns could be seen moving about as Indian sepoys loaded their dhoolies (stretchers) with the many dead and wounded. The casualties had been heavy on both sides. The next day, the casualties jolted their way back to Ladysmith and Boer prisoners trudged in, shocked and dispirited.

Dooly Bearers at Elandslaagte 254
Bengal Command-Allahabad 4
-Agra 11
-Meerut 18
-Lucknow 68
-Bareilly 1
Bombay Command-Jubbulpur 24
-Mhow 127
Punjab Command-Peshawar 1

David

Thank you for your fascinating and informative posts. Since I have a great interest in the Natal battles, I should have applied myself to collecting bearer's medals, rather than only those of white soldiers. These brave men did not receive sufficient credit for their courageous and dedicated service and my collecting lapse is one small indication of this oversight.

Regards
Brett

David,

Model posts in many ways. Thank you

There are also a couple of new photos which I hasn't seen before too. These medals are under-researched so it is great that you are filling that void.

Some time ago, a dealer suggested I generate a roll for Indian troops. At the time I thought that would be a great idea. I don't think I realised what a task it would be. I remember how long it took to transcribe the names of the men at Talana given the difficulties if reading some of the rolls. I came to bless the typewriter when this had been used to present the recipients' names!

Best wishes
David

I have the complete roll transcribed on a Word Document. (Done through many hours of night duty when the kids were young and the eyes were better.) This allows me to search the rolls using whatever fanciful names dealers make up. I have also been checking other medal entitlements. It takes two minutes to go through dealers stock of IGSs, Sudans and WWI medals to pick up those with Boer War service. I think I have some 5-6 medals now where it is the QSA that is missing from the group.

For some fun:( or what to do when medal purchases are far and few )

www.britishmedalforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=86601

OSAKSA wrote: Hi David

I would like to add another name :Engraved in running script to Pte Servt Thelenvram.

I have done some work on the bronze QSA to a Private Servant Thelenvram. He appears on WO100/295 p 334 as a servant to Lt Col William James Richard Wickham ISC who was at Talana. Romantically I would like to think of Wickham going into battle with his servant by his side. Obviously no proof but could Thelenham been there? Possibly he followed his master into Ladysmith. Now who can find a photograph of him with his servants?
Thelenvam's medal was sold for GBP 28 in 1977. To confuse the issue he was also issued a medal named to Bearer Tulsi Ram off WO 100/296 p11 ( Englishman's difficulty in writing down the vernacular ) Wickham's other servant was Ismail.