TOPIC:

Bonhams have an interesting Natal 1906 Medal in their auction next week named to Pte: Alwar, Indian Stret: Bearer Corps.

Their note says that a total of 20 Natal medals were awarded to members of the Indian Stretcher Bearer Corps. The Indian Bearer Corps was raised by Mahatma Gandhi from his fellow countrymen in Durban. The original unit had been raised for the Boer War and was later expanded to be called the Imperial Bearer Corps. Gandhi later in life refused to discuss his involvement in either of these wars. Gandhi had written from Johannesburg to the Governor of Natal offering Indian aid in the belief that 'The British Empire existed for the world and in a genuine sense of loyalty'. After some hesitation the Natal Government invited them to accompany the white troops as an Ambulance Corps. The twenty five stretcher bearers, under Sergeant Major M.K.Gandhi, were provided and paid for by the Natal Indian Congress.


Image courtesy of Bonhams

David, are you sure the Indian Stretcher Bearer Corps went on to be the Imperial Stretcher Corps. My reading is that the Corps was disbanded after the Natal phase of the war was over.

David,

No, I'm not sure of that. The information came from the Bonham catalogue. I will see if I can find out.

The medal sold for £1,560 including premium.

Regards
David

I had a look through the newspaper indices and found very little on the Indian bearer companies.

This is the closest match I found and is included because of its other content in terms of the treatment of the disabled. From 2 Jun 1900:

Checking the Natal 1906 confirms the 20 men of the ISBC, all no clasp medals:

S/M GANDHI M.K.

Sgt. JOSHI H.I.

MEDH S.B.

SHELAT U.M.

Pte. ADOHASING

ALWAR

APPALSAMY

BOMAYA

CDOPOOSAMY

JAMALUDDIN

KHAN M.

KISTAMA

KUNJI

MAHOMED

MAHOMED E.

MOOT H.

PARBHU H.

POOTI N.

SHEIK D.M.

SHEIK M.

I think the price realised for Bonham's Lot 54 might well be a record for a Natal Rebellion Medal.

Brett