Sudan Medal 1896-1908. Silver issue (687. Naik. Kuppusami. 1/Madras.S & M.)

Kuppusami was an Indian soldier of Tamil ethnicity and the Hindu faith who held the rank of 'Naik' (Corporal) while serving with No 1 Company "Queen's Own" Madras Sappers and Miners of the Madras Presidency Army

Medal Verification: Naik Kuppusami is confirmed as entitled to the medal for the 'Dongola Expedition 1896' per the respective campaign medal roll of No. 1 Company "Queen's Own" Madras Sappers and Miners (ref WO 100/82), wherein the recipient is recorded as being 'Pensioned' by the time the medal roll was compiled and signed at Bangalore Cantonment on 18September 1899

"Queen's Own" Madras Sappers and Miners: Per the Indian Army Quarterly List issue of April 1896, the 'Establishment' of the Corps comprised:

9 x Companies (6 x Service Companies numbered 1 to 6, and 2 Depot Companies (lettered A and B) and Burma Company; 1 x Commandant, 1 x Superintendent of Instruction, 1 x Superintendent, Park and Train, 1 x Adjutant, 1 x Medical Officer, 9 x Company Commanders, 9 x Company Officers, 1 x Warrant Officer, 1 x Regimental Sergeant Major (Assistant to Superintendent of Instruction), 1 x Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant, 1 x Company Sergeant Major, R. E., 4 x Company Sergeant Majors (local), 7 x Sergeants, 10 x Corporals, 9 x Second Corporals, 9 x Subadars, 17 x Jemadars, 55 x Hayildars, 88 x Naicks, 1,302 x Sappers, 17 x Buglers, 24 x Recruit Boys, 18 x Pension Boys, 4 x Driver Havildars, 4 x Driver Naicks, 72 x Drivers and 72 x Equipment Mules

Followers (Head-Quarters): 2 x Lascars, 2 x Pakhalis, 1 x Chowdhry, 2 x Peons, 1 x  Chuckler, 2 x Toties & 4 x Sweepers

Hospital Establishment (Head-Quarters): 2 x Hospital Assistant & 2 x Toties

Hospital Establishment (Burma Co.): 1 x Hospital Assistant, 1 x Ward servant, 1 x  Cook, 1 Water-carrier & 1 x Sweeper

In April 1896 (prior to embarking for the Red Sea in May 1896), No 1 Company "Queen's Own" Madras Sappers and Miners, was stationed at Bangalore Cantonment at which time it's establishment strength was: 1 x Compy. Comdr, 1 x Compy. Officer, 2 x British N.C.O.'s, 1 x Subadar, 2 x Jemadars, 6 x Havildars, 10 x Naicks, 2 x Buglers, 150 x Sappers, 1 x Lascar, 2 x Bhisties & 2 x Sweepers.

Dongola Expedition: In May 1896, No 1 Company "Queen's Own" Madras Sappers and Miners, were the only Indian 'Sappers & Miners' unit to mobilize and deploy overseas to the Sudan. The Indian force sent to the Sudan comprised: 1st Bombay Lancers; 5th (Bombay) Mountain Battery; 26th Punjab Infantry; 35th Sikhs, together with Indian Sappers drawn from the Queen Victoria's Own Madras Sappers & Miners and men from the Commissariats. The Indian troops disembarked at the Sudanese Red Sea port at Suakin

A scarce seen example of the Sudan Medal to the only 'Sappers & Miners' unit of the British Indian Army to serve in the Sudan 1896-98

Condition: Toned GVF

Code: 26080