Afghanistan Medal 1878-80. No clasp (Far: B. Manass 1st Regt. M. L. Cavy.)

Important: The 1st Regiment of Madras Cavalry - including a squadron of the 2nd Madras Light Cavalry attached - was the only cavalry regiment of the Madras Presidency Army to deploy and serve as a unit in the Second Afghan War

The Madras Weekly Mail issue of 20 May 1894, contained the below notice of appointment:

Quote,

The Military Department has been asked to place the services of Farrier-Major Mannas, of the Governor's Body Guard, at the disposal of the Revenue Department, for employment as Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, in the place of the late Mr. Narain Rao

Unquote.

Benjamin Mannas continued his employment in the Civil Veterinary Department for a number of years after 1894, the Madras Weekly Mail issue of having the below notice:

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Revenue Department

Fort St. George, December 1, 1899.

Mannas, Mr. Farrier Major B., Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, has been granted privilege leave for two months, with effect from the 13th October 1899.

Unquote.

The recipient Benjamin Mannas (sic), was an India born British subject of Eurasian ethnicity and the Christian faith, who was a long serving professional soldier with he 1st Regiment of Madras Cavalry, and later the Governor's Body Guard in which unit's he held the appointments of Farrier, and Farrier-Major. A man of considerable ability, he was in 1894 appointed to the Civil Veterinary Department, in which capacity he ended his carer as Deputy Superintendent. Benjamin Mannas son of Andrew C. Mannas, was born in the Madras Presidency of British India in 1846. On 29th March 1875, when 26 years of age, and serving as 'Farrier 1st M..L.C.' Benjamin Mannas married Elizabeth Eccleston, a 16 year old spinster, and daughter of George Hines (deceased), at St. Matthias Church, Veperey, Madras Presidency (at the time of death, Benjamin's father is recorded as deceased). Elizabeth Mannas died at Bangalore on, 18 May 1900, and was buried the very same day, her death records recording that she was "Wife of B. Mannas Dept Supt. Vet Department. Benjamin (56), then a widower is recorded to have re-married the widow (40) Ellen Margaret Dmonte (daughter of the late Joseph Alexander Stimpson) at, All Souls Church, Bangalore (at which time his late father is recorded as Anthony (sic) Mannas). At the time of his remarriage he was recorded as "Retired Farrier-Major Governor's Body Guard". Benjamin Mannas, 'Veterinary Inspector' died from cause 'Paralysis' at, Mysore, India, on, 23 January 1912, and where his body was buried the next day 24 January 1912

The 1st Regiment of Madras Light Cavalry: The regiment has its origins in the raising of the 5th Madras Native Cavalry in 1787. In 1788 the regiment became the 1st Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry and the 1st Regiment of Madras Light Cavalry in 1819. It was renamed the 1st Regiment of Madras Lancers in 1886 and the 1st Madras Lancers in 1901. In 1903, with the reform of the Indian Army, the regiment became the 26th Light Cavalry. In 1906 the unit was renamed the 26th Prince of Wales's Own Light Cavalry. Another name change occurred when the Prince of Wales became King George V in 1910, with the unit adopting the title, 26th King George's Own Light Cavalry. The regiment was amalgamated with the 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse) in 1921, forming the 26th/30th King George's Own Light Cavalry. The following year the regiment was renamed the 8th King George's Own Light Cavalry. In August 1947, the 8th King George's Cavalry were retained in the Indian Army, and were restyled as '8th Light Cavalry' in 1950. The 8th Light Cavalry is one of the three oldest armoured regiments of the Indian Army, in which the highly decorated regiment continues to serve in 2024

A most interesting and desirable Second Afghan War Medal to a 'Farrier', of the only Madras Cavalry Regiment to serve in the Afghan War 1878-80, and who subsequently served as a Farrier-Major with the Governor's Body Guard, and latterly as a Deputy Superintendent with the Veterinary Department, and as a Veterinary Inspector

The direct descendent regiment of the 1st Madras Light Cavalry continues to serve in the Indian Army of 2024, and has the distinction of being the oldest - and most senior - of all the armoured regiment's of the Indian Army

With some 'Bazaar Wallah' test marks to rim that does not affect the impressed naming

Condition: About VF

Code: 24296