East & Central Africa Medal 1897-99, clasp 1898 to 27th Bombay Infantry
East and Central Africa Medal 1897-99, 1 clasp, 1898
1805 Pte. Saiyed Akber Shah. 27/Bom: Inf:
very fine
Ex Dix Noonan Webb, September 1999.
With copy of the medal roll confirming the medal and clasp and some other research.
(163 clasps to the unit, only 2 companies served)
The Madras Weekly Mail, 3rd August 1899 published the following about the 27th Bombay Light Infantry in Uganda:
“The 27th B.I. in UGANDA
The following letter from Mr E.J.L. Berkeley, C.B., Her Majesty’s Commissioner and Consul-General, Uganda, to the Chief in India is published:-
I do not feel wholly certain that it may be within the bounds of etiquette that I should approach Your Excellency direct on the subject of the 27th Bombay Light Infantry, which regiment has been on service in this Protectorate for the last year; but I venture to hope that it may not be out of place that I should do so with the object of permitting myself to express to Your Excellency my high appreciation of the services rendered to the Uganda Protectorate by the regiment which is now on its return to India.
So far as I am aware, the 27th Bombay Light Infantry is the first regiment that has ever proceeded so far into the interior of Africa; both officers and men have suffered many severe hardships in distant parts of the Protectorate, but, despite every obstacle, the regiment has performed the task for which it was sent with a gallantry and success to which I gladly pay this brief tribute.
I should also wish to acquaint Your Excellency of the cordial relations which have existed throughout, between myself as also the staff of this Protectorate, and Colonel Broome and his officers.
I have to-day taken official leave of the 27th Bombay Light Infantry, on its return to India, and I trust that the occasion may justify this short reference to the remarks which I had the honour to address to the regiment at a parade this morning.”
The 27th Bombays were ambushed and attacked on numerous occasions by the locals, being lucky to only lose 20 men killed in the campaign.
One such ambush was recounted in the news back home:
“THE UGANDA AMBUSADE
INDIAN FORCE ATTACKED BY REBELS
Zanzibar, December 14th, An English traveller from Uganda brings news that Lieutenant Hannyngton of the 27th Bombay Infantry, and a detachment of his men fell into an ambuscade laid for them by Soudanese Mutineers at Kisalizi towards the beginning of October.
The Mutineers, who have been hiding near Lake Kioga, after being defeated by the British Forces, corssed the lake at night, and taking Lieutenant Hannyngton’s party by surprise, forced them into a retreat, with the loss of 13 men killed and a number wounded.
Lieut Hannyngton was wounded in 2 places, and the rebels succeeded in capturing 1500 Martini Cartirdges. It is believed htat their chief object was to obtain a fresh supply of ammunition. – Reuters.”
A short summary of the British East Africa Battle Honour of 1897-99, for the Uganda Mutiny of 1897, it was uniquely bestowed upon the 27th Regiment (1st Baluch Battalion) of Bombay (Light) Infantry, being shared by the 44 attached men from Jacob’s Rifles, about 6 from the 24th Baluchistans, about 6 from the “2nd Baluch Battalion”:
“In the late 19th century, the British took over control of area now forming Kenya and Uganda and declared it as the British East Africa Protectorate.
However, despite harsh measures, they faced stiff resistance from the local princes and chiefs. In 1897, the situation took a serious turn in areas now forming Uganda, when the Sudanese troops of the local militia mutinied and killed their British officers.
In December 1897, the 27th Regiment (1st Baluch Battalion) of Bombay (Light) Infantry (now 10th Battalion The Baloch Regiment of Pakistan Army) under Lieutenant Colonel WA Broome was despatched to East Africa to quell the rebellion.
After a tough anti-insurgency operation lasting for a year, the situation was brought under control by January 1899, and the battalion returned to Karachi in May.
During the campaign, the battalion suffered 56 casualties.
For its services in the campaign, the Baluch battalion was awarded the Battle Honour of ‘British East Africa 1897–99’ in 1901. The Battle Honour is unique to this unit.
In 1922, when the Regimental Group System was adopted by the British Indian Army, the battalion was re-designated as the 3rd Battalion (Queen Mary’s Own) 10th Baluch Regiment, and the Battle Honour was extended to all the battalions of 10th Baluch Regiment.”
