what rank are these uniforms

[FROGSMILE]

Thank you so much guys I did not realize when I first posted about uniforms it would turn into something so amazing.

I do believe the whole story my Father in law wrote about his Fathers and his time in India would make good reading I could not write it all on here but when you read about the conditions of the forts they were put in and general life there and the horse training etc it really is wonderful reading and probably needs to be preserved . We would gladly share this info .

. The march photo must of been taken just after the war I think as he was living in NZ not long after as his wife Rosetta Askews famlly had moved here to start up a bakery shop like they had in Bedford . The surrey medal seems the odd one maybe it was passed down to him by a family member ....anyway that can be another little adventure for me some other time.

We will now look at the site for the lancaster bombers as my husbands father trained there ...another story .

Thanks again for all your input it has been much appreciated

Maggie May

I am glad it was of help in putting flesh on the bones of what you knew. This is what I have been able to find out about the mule and pony transport corps:

Prior to 1884 no permanent transport department was established in the Indian Army and animals, carts and drivers were hired locally when required. Between 1884 and 1887 a separate transport corps existed. This became known as the Commisariat Transport Department and was under the control of the Military Department.

However, by 1905 a further reorganisation had witnessed the emergence of a regular corps and cadres of mules, camels and cart transport. "This now consists of 21 mule corps, 9 silladar camel cadres and 2 pony cart train cadres.

A mule corps is commanded by a British officer and is divided into two subdivisions, each in charge of a warrant officer. Those for cavalry brigades are divided into six draught and four pack troops , each under a daffadar (native officer) and have a total strength of 552 all ranks, with 936 mules.

Those for use with other arms are divided into nine pack troops, each under a daffadar, and have a total strength of 388 of all ranks with 840 mules.

Cadres of mule corps are commanded by a British Officer and maintain practically the full number of supervising and artificer establishments. They have, however, a much smaller number of mules."

The mule corps played an integral part in the various theatres of war during WW1, such as France, Gallipoli, Egypt and Basra (Mesopotamia - now Iraq).