Description
East and Central Africa, bar 1898, 1950 Pte Momin Khan 27th Bombay Infantry.
Officially engraved: “1950 Pte Momin Khan 27/Bom: Inf:”
Entitlement confirmed on the medal roll entitled to medal and clasp 1898 for campaign against the Ogaden Somalis.
Shown on the medal as having served with the 1st Baluch Battalion of Light Infantry, known officially by their title: The 27th Regiment (1st Baluch Battalion) of Bombay (Light) Infantry, in the campaign against the “Ogaden Somalis”.
The battle honour of British East Africa 1897-99 is unique to this regiment, also attached to the unit was a small number of men from other regiments to make up a sizeable force under Lt Col W.A. Broome.
A short summary of the British East Africa Battle Honour of 1897-99, for the Uganda Mutiny of 1897-9, it was uniquely bestowed upon the 27th Regiment (1st Baluch Battalion) of Bombay (Light) Infantry:
“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 redesignated 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.”
