Imperial camel Corps

[Alex Rice]

Picked up this badge a few years ago but don't know anything about it and would appreciate some info. The brass its made of is quite yellow, probably an Egyptian casting. It has 2 lug fasteners, E-W. It is 26mm high by 37.5mm wide. Thanks.

[Deejayuu]

Took this description from the web
The Imperial Camel Corps was established in early 1916, largely from troops which had served in Gallipoli. The Depot was at Abbassia, near Cairo. It consisted of 4 battalions (which made up a Brigade commanded by Brigadier General C L Smith VC), each made up of 4 companies (each with a complement of 6 officers and 169 other ranks). The 1st and 3rd Battalions were Australian (mainly from the Australian Light Horse), the 4th Battalion had 2 Australian companies and 2 made up of men from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. The 2nd Battalion consisted of British soldiers, primarily from Yeomanry Regiments - there were 6 British companies although only 4 would serve with the 2nd Battalion at any one time. Artillery was provided by the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery (composed of Indian troops) and the Brigade also had the usual medical, supply and veterinary units. The Imperial Camel Corps had a mounted infantry role; the camels provided mobility although it was intended that the troops should go into action dismounted (camel and rider were regarded as a selfcontained unit for up to five days). In mid 1918 most of the Battalions were disbanded, but the 2nd Battalion was not formally disbanded until May 1919, and maintained an important patrolling role up to the end of the War. The Imperial Camel Corps Memorial (a camelier mounted on a camel) sculpted by Major Cecil Brown was unveiled in 1921 in the Victoria Embankment Gardens in London. It commemorates the 346 members of the Corps who died.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Deejayuu
Thanks for the info, very useful. I'll have to try and find out more from here. Cheers.

[Jibba Jabba]

I like everything about it.

[Alex Rice]

Thanks Jibba Jabba, good to know.

[Eddie Parks]

I've recently come by a copy of "With the Imperial Camel Corps" by Geoffrey Inchbald who was a company commander in 2nd (Yeomanry) Battalion of the ICC.

It shows a picture of Lt Merlin Huth taken at the ICC depot, Abassia, near Cairo in January 1917.

His cap badge shows a camel facing right with a dark, presumably coloured backing. I have seen somewhere a reference to different coloured backings denoting ...

Has anyone any information? Was this perhaps an officers' version of the one shown above? What does the background colour denote?

Other pictures seem to indicate officers continued to wear their Yeomanry collar badges. Huth has none in this picture

Eddie

The Imperial Camel Corps Memorial, located within Victoria Embankment Gardens, London:

1.jpg2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg8.jpg10.jpg

Regards to all,

Peter.

[Rockape]

Thanks for sharing Peter,

I've often wondered about the practicalities of a mg. sect. on board a camel Seriously, though how do you prevent the enemy spotting your position if you have your camels close by?

[saumua]

I have a few British items too I will scan and post. Shaun

[saumua]

reverse

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Picked up this badge a few years ago but don't know anything about it and would appreciate some info. The brass its made of is quite yellow, probably an Egyptian casting. It has 2 lug fasteners, E-W. It is 26mm high by 37.5mm wide. Thanks.

Could the red cloth be the remains of a company colour or similar?