India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp (2), Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (152 Sur. Mahma Singh, 72/H. Camel Corps.)

The recipient was an Indian of the Sikh faith who held the rank of 'Surban' - (Urdu for Camel Driver) while serving with the 72nd Hired Camel Corps, an auxiliary camel transport corps, raised and paid for in the Sikh Princely State of Patiala

The Sikh Princely State of Patiala loyally supported the British War effort during both the Great War and the Third Afghan War. Amongst the contributions to the war effort was their raising in 1916, and funding of the 72 Hired Camel Transport Corps, for service with the British Indian Army

Reference, 'The Civil & Military Gazette' (Lahore), issue of, 8 February 1916, contained the below following article pertaining to the raising of the 72nd Hired Camel Corps in Patiala:

Quote,

PATIALA

(From A Correpondent)

The Transport Registration Officer, Ambala, wired on the 8th January to mobilise the 72nd Hired Camel Corps, Patiala. Accordingly orders were issued to the various districts of the State to procure and bring to Patiala camels and sarbans as laid down in the telegram for the collection and inspection by H.H. the Maharaja, who takes so keen an interest in military affairs. In compliance therewith 1,072 camels and 393 sarbans, etc., were brought to Patiala by the 29th of January, and the Maharaja, who had been out at Pinjore near Kalka, for tiger shooting, came back to Patiala specially to inspect the camel corps on the afternoon of the 30th January at the Patiala parade ground. Lieutenant-Colonel B.E.M. Gurdon, C.S.I., D.S.O., Political Agent, Phulkian States, also arrived for the inspection. The zaildars, lambardars, and sufedposhes, of the various tahsils who rendered good services to the tahsildars in collecting camels and sarbans were presented to the Maharaja who granted them shawls in recognition of their work. Then all the camels and the sarbans marched past before the Maharaja and the Political Agent, and his Highness was pleased to order them to be sent to Ambala as an aid from the Patiala State

Unquote.

An extremely scarce seen medal and clasp to this Sikh Auxiliary Camel Corps, from Patiala State

Condition: VF

Code: 24914