Hi can anyone tell me where was the Royal Warwickshire Regt depot in Belagum, and as anyone got any photos of it.
Thanks

Kevan

The following is from a 1911 Encyclopedia.

BELGAUM, a town and district of British India, in the southern division of Bombay. The town is situated nearly 2500 ft. above sea-level; it has a station on the Southern Mahratta railway, 245 m. S. of Poona. It has an ancient fortress, dating apparently from 1519, covering about I 00 acres, and surrounded by a ditch; within it are two interesting Join temples. Belgaum contains a cantonment which is the headquarters of a brigade in the 6th division of the western army corps. It is also a considerable centre of trade and of cotton weaving. There are cotton mills. Pop. (1901) 36,878.

The 1st. Battalion were stationed here from 1901-04.

Dave

Kevan

I have not had any success so far in trying to find period photographs of Belgaum Cantonment India that I would like to have for my family research.

However, you may be interested in what I have found to date.


General information: http://www.indnav.com/servlet/Browse?mt=goTo&fId=54

"Another important sightseeing place in Belgaum is the Cantonment area, built by the British during their rule in India. The Cantonment area, also known as the Camp, spreads to the south and western part of the town. Apart from military buildings, it houses a number of well-preserved, functional buildings like churches, bungalows, schools, etc., built on the traditional colonial style of architecture. The Cantonment area resembles a world of its own and the traveler is sent back in time, as he walks through tree-lined lanes. A walk along Elphistone Road, Club Road, Commissariat Road, Victoria Barracks, and Chapel Road, in the Cantonment is recommended."


Belgaum is the Regimental Centre of The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.

Their website is: http://www.roa-mlirc.com/

and includes modern day photographs of the camp.


More information on Belgaum and The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment can be found on:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor...rgt-maratha.htm

and

http://www.burmastar.org.uk/mli_history.htm


The site: http://home.clara.net/nhpendall/fpdiary.htm (when online)

contains a very interesting World War One extract from the diary of Frederick Pendall covering his stay at Belgaum camp in 1916-1917. A very good insight on what it was like there at that time.


The attached three photographs include my maternal grandfather at Belgaum cantonment between 1902 and 1904.

At the conclusion of the Boer War, my grandfather was transferred from the Mounted Infantry Regiment to the 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Belgaum on 13th October 1902.

He was transferred to Quetta cantonment near the Afghanistan border with the Battalion in 1904.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal in Belgaum in January 1903.

On the left photograph, he is middle standing with the Fencing Team (crossed swords pattern on vest), circa 1902 - 1904 at Belgaum Cantonment, India. S. Mahadeo & Son, Photographers.

On the middle photograph, back row third from right with the Tug of War Team, circa 1902 - 1904 at Belgaum Cantonment, India. S. Mahadeo, photographer.

On the right photograph, what a uniform!


Regards

Richard

Richard thanks for info and great photos, have you been to Begaum.
Kevan

No, but I would like to visit (anyone got a winning lottery ticket they would care to let me have?).

It is not that far from Goa, which is another destination I would like to visit (and taste!), as well as Secunderabad, Lucknow, The Taj Agra, Kashmir, Lahore (Shalimar Gardens), Peshawar and Quetta (please make that two winning lottery tickets!).

Attached: Khojak Tunnel 1905

Regards

Richard

Very interesting. My great-uncle 721 Private John Hone served with the 1st Warwicks during this period. Can't see him on any of the photos of the tug-of-war team etc. Until a few years ago my dad had an old box which Uncle Jack brought back from India, but it eventually succumbed to woodworm etc.

The site referenced has moved to:-

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nhpendall/fpdiary.htm

It is very interesting and gives an insight to what it was like at Belgaum in 1916-1918.

Apparently, the camp was used as a POW/Internment camp during WW1.

The Christmas party they had sounds fun!

Regards

Richard

Period map of Blegaum and Goa.