Description
East and Central Africa Medal 1897-99, bar Uganda 1897-98, 950 Private Tura Baz II, 27th Bombay Light Infantry.
Officially engraved: “950 Pte Tura Baz II 27/Bom. L. Inf:” No edge knocks, little wear overall, unusual to find in this condition.
Confirmed on the medal roll as “Private Tura Baz II” entitled to the medal and clasp.
This clasp was authorised for those who took part in: “An expedition into the Teita country of Uganda, 20 July 1897 to 19 March 1898, under Lieut Colonel W.A. Broome.”
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.”
Further reading, on this interesting expedition into the Teita country of the “Taita Hills”, can be read on Kaiserscross.com, I will put a link below:
