Sudan Medal 1896-98. Bronze issue (Langri. Indar. 1st Bo: Lancers.)

Recipient was an Indian of either Sikh or Hindu faith, who was a locally attested non-combatant follower holding the trade of 'Langri' (Communal Cook) while serving with the 1st Bombay Lancers a cavalry regiment of the Bombay Army

Medal Verification: Langri Indar is confirmed as entitled to the medal for the 'Dongola Expedition 1896' per the respective campaign medal roll of 1st Bombay Lancers (ref WO 100/82), wherein the recipient is recorded as still serving with the regiment when the medal roll was compiled and signed off at Poona, India, on, 30th September 1899

Langri Indar  - a unique name for this trade on the medal roll - was one of 22 x Langri's who are confirmed as serving in the Sudan with the 1st Bombay Lancers, but only 21 x Langri's lived to receive their medals (Langri Fakir Baksh had died). At the time of the Sudan campaign if followers died on active service, then medals were not prepared or issued posthumously

Dongola Expedition: In May 1896, the 1st Bombay Lancers, were the only Indian cavalry regiment to mobilize and deploy overseas to the Sudan. The 1st Bombay Lancers formed the cavalry component of the Indian Army's 'Suakin Force' under command of Brigadier-General C. C. Egerton, C.B., D.S.O. The Indian force sent to the Sudan comprised: 1st Bombay Lancers; 5th (Bombay) Mountain Battery; 26th Punjab Infantry; 35th Sikhs, together with Indian Sappers drawn from the Queen Victoria's Own Madras Sappers & Miners and men from the Commissariats. The Indian troops disembarked at the Sudanese Red Sea Port of Suakin, where they were to replace the Egyptian/Sudanese garrison there so the latter could to join the Dongola Expeditionary Force in the preliminary opening moves of the 'Reconquest of the Sudan' 1896-1898

A good example of the bronze issue of the Sudan Medal in unusually good condition, for a medal to a native follower in the Victorian era

Condition: VF

Code: 25826