Anyone for an Indian?

[Charlie585]

Hi Gents I thought the image below might be of interest to some. It shows the 'Indian Platoon' 1st Bn Rifle Brigade in India circa 1930.

You can see that the Indian soldiers all wear RB Cap Badges on their Pagris/Turbans an example of which is also included below. The officers have a RB flash on the Pagris of their FS Helmets and I have included an image of what I believe to be an example of this as well.

The example I have is made of felt and is a very dark Rifle Green. This came my way from a forum member and if I recall correctly originated from a clear out of regimental items both RB and LRB from the LRB QM's.

Going back to the 'Indian Platoon'. I was not aware of their existence until very recently and it leads me to wonder what became of them upon the Battalion leaving india not too long after the image was taken.

Do other members know if it was common practice for native troops to be embedded into Battalions serving abroad? I should imagine that they must have come in very handy at times.

Any comments welcome.

Ry

[Phil2M]

Thanks Ry, I've learnt something else today, now

[grumpy]

and thats a seriously big platoon!

[Charlie585]

Originally Posted by grumpy

and thats a seriously big platoon!

At first glance, yes it is a large platoon.

However, even in my own service it was not unknown if you add the likes of a Platoon Signaller, G10 Storeman and attached tradesmen to the three full strength sections to have a platoon of similar strength when deployed on Op’s.

In the case of the Indian Platoon I’m afraid I cannot comment with any authority but I would assume that you might have to allow for men on the strength of the Platoon who were centrally employed, this might include animal drivers, and it wouldn’t be wrong to expect that given the probability that these men ate a different diet to the rest of the Bn, cooks as well. Add to this the three officers, not forgetting their Batmen of course.

I should imagine that this platoon even given its size was considered good value for money due to disparity in pay and conditions and dare I say it a pool of available labour possibly for some of the more arduous or dirty jobs, it was after all the 1930s.

[Phil2M]

Front row, second in from the left, is he asleep?

[Fatherofthree]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

Front row, second in from the left, is he asleep?

No, he's just eaten a meal, and he's either in a Korma, or got a dicky Tikka.

Regards
Brian

[Charlie585]

As an update on the Indian Platoon after further reading. It seems that the platoon were in fact mule drivers for the Machine Gun Company.

It begs the question of what became of them once 1 RB left India and I suppose it may have been possible that unless they disbanded entirely that they simply re-badged to the next regiment that followed.

Ry