In October 1914, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was bolstered by reinforcements from the Indian Corps. These included the 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis – part of the Ferozepore Brigade of the Lahore Division – which was quickly deployed around Ypres in western Flanders. The town became the centre of a major German attempt to capture the ports along the Channel.
On 31st Oct, the Baluchis faced an overwhelming German assault at Hollebeke. Khudadad Khan, a Sepoy (private) of Pathan heritage, was part of the machine gun section. The other gun was disabled by a shell during the action. Although wounded, Khan fought on until the rest of his team were killed and his position overrun. He then pretended to be dead and escaped after dark.
For his actions in delaying the German advance, Khan became the first Indian soldier and Muslim to be awarded the Victoria Cross – Britain’s highest award for bravery.
Here we see Khan firing from a roughly-dug position typical of the defences around Ypres. He wears a standard khaki kurta blouse, breeches and puttees with 1903 pattern bandolier equipment. Like other Muslim troops, his pagri turban is wrapped around a kullah cap. He is depicted firing a .303 inch Maxim -the world’s first automatic machine gun – while another member of his team feeds the ammunition belt. Patented in 1884, they were still used early in the war due to a shortage of the newer Vickers gun, introduced in 1912.
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 