Need Help With Some Research

Lew · 8th January 2008, 09:27 PM

I am trying to find out some information concerning a pesh that I came across last year and I thought maybe the British formites can help me out with my research? There is an inscription on the blade RAZMAK 1930 and the name Sellers. I narrowed my search down to Red Shirt Rebellion which started in the spring of 1930 and ended spring of 1931 in which British forces fought. What I need to know are there any records of the names of the soldiers posted somewhere on the net or some regimental museum? I will post a picture of it later on this week.

Lew

Jim McDougall · 8th January 2008, 09:43 PM

Hi Lew,
While I cannot presume to offer the more detailed assistance that I'm sure the British members here will be able to provide, I would suggest contacting the National Army Museum in London. They have not only one of the most comprehensive libraries on these matters, but an astounding archives and the people there are extremely helpful.
The Red Shirt Rebellion was an intriguing event that seems little known in the broader histories of these regions, but was indeed quite important in those times. I was once fortunate to meet a British brigadier who had participated in these events, and examine some of the weapons he acquired at the time. I think one of the pieces was a pesh but cannot be sure without looking at the photos not handy at the moment.

All best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 9th January 2008, 10:20 AM

Lew this chap was there, my grandfather. I do not think he was involved in any fighting while stationed various parts of what was British India. I can give you the names of the Ghurkas in the front row they may have seen action.

Lew · 9th January 2008, 03:31 PM

Tim

Great picture you have there. I am really trying to track down some info on Sellers to see if he was an officer or just lower ranking soldier you Brits keep such meticulous records I figured I could comeup with some form of provenance on the dagger? I doubt that the name would have belonged to one of the locals. Hey maybe your Grandfather new this chap Sellers?

Lew

spiral · 9th January 2008, 04:31 PM

Lew,

Try a copy of British army list 1930, he will in it if he was an officer.

This place has it on cd cheap.

linky

The problem with tracing from a name is will be there will probably have been several officers & dozens of soldiers called sellers. sometimes in the same units. serving in same theatres.

Personaly I have given up trying to trace people unless I have thier name & unit or the best is thier number. Even just just name & unit often produces many "multiple choice" answears.

The only firms with the information normaly market it, rather than share it unfortuanatly.{they bought it from the Goverment.}

In 10 or 20 years it might all be online for free.

Good luck.

Jonathan

Jim McDougall · 9th January 2008, 06:57 PM

Hi Jonathan,
I was hoping you would respond as you obviously have outstanding background with British military! As always, fascinating stuff and great photos. Thank you for always sharing them.

All the best,
Jim

katana · 11th January 2008, 08:40 PM

Hi Lew,
it would seem that a number of regiments were 'involved' in the uprising'...

The Durham Light Infantry

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=5&gl=uk

4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=9&gl=uk

2 Battalion, Garhwal Rifles

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:g...nk&cd=17&gl=uk

This campaign medal was awarded....can't find a list of those that received it but could help find 'Sellers'

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=1&gl=uk

Regards David

spiral · 11th January 2008, 10:11 PM

The 30 to 31 NWF clasp to be attached to the Indian General Service Medal for the red shirt & Afridi rebelion was awarded to the men of these British units.

15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars

1st-12th Armoured Car Companies,

2nd Battalion,The Border Regiment

2nd Battalion,The Royal Sussex Regiment

2nd Battalion,The South Lancashire Regiment

2nd Battalion,The Essex Regiment

2nd Battalion,The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

1st Battalion,The King's Shropshire Light Infantry

2nd Battalion,The Durham Light Infantry

2nd Battalion,Seaforth Highlanders

Probaly many British Indian units as well. I havent got access to a list of them for that action.

It was also a Garrison town with other units residing there but not all units in the Garrisons saw action or therfore got clasps.

A letter to each Regimental museam curator , should pull up a few sellers amongst them.

They will all say any sellers they find could be your man! i used to get excited at first. Then I learnt more.

Sorry Lew I cant say it easy, Ive traced so many names till I reach the "well it could be one of these 3 or 4 guys stage."

But luck might win out!

Spiral

Lew · 14th January 2008, 01:14 AM

Thanks Guys!

I will check out your leads. Btw here is a few pkotos of the knife.

Lew

Jim McDougall · 14th January 2008, 04:15 PM

Looks nice! pretty mean blade.

8th January 2008, 09:27 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Need Help With Some Research I am trying to find out some information concerning a pesh that I came across last year and I thought maybe the British formites can help me out with my research? There is an inscription on the blade RAZMAK 1930 and the name Sellers. I narrowed my search down to Red Shirt Rebellion which started in the spring of 1930 and ended spring of 1931 in which British forces fought. What I need to know are there any records of the names of the soldiers posted somewhere on the net or some regimental museum? I will post a picture of it later on this week. Lew

14th January 2008, 01:14 AM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Thanks Guys! I will check out your leads. Btw here is a few pkotos of the knife. Lew Attached Images

8th January 2008, 09:43 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Hi Lew, While I cannot presume to offer the more detailed assistance that I'm sure the British members here will be able to provide, I would suggest contacting the National Army Museum in London. They have not only one of the most comprehensive libraries on these matters, but an astounding archives and the people there are extremely helpful. The Red Shirt Rebellion was an intriguing event that seems little known in the broader histories of these regions, but was indeed quite important in those times. I was once fortunate to meet a British brigadier who had participated in these events, and examine some of the weapons he acquired at the time. I think one of the pieces was a pesh but cannot be sure without looking at the photos not handy at the moment. All best regards, Jim

9th January 2008, 10:20 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Lew this chap was there, my grandfather. I do not think he was involved in any fighting while stationed various parts of what was British India. I can give you the names of the Ghurkas in the front row they may have seen action.

9th January 2008, 03:31 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Great picture you have there. I am really trying to track down some info on Sellers to see if he was an officer or just lower ranking soldier you Brits keep such meticulous records I figured I could comeup with some form of provenance on the dagger? I doubt that the name would have belonged to one of the locals. Hey maybe your Grandfather new this chap Sellers? Lew

9th January 2008, 04:31 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Lew, Try a copy of British army list 1930, he will in it if he was an officer. This place has it on cd cheap. linky The problem with tracing from a name is will be there will probably have been several officers & dozens of soldiers called sellers. sometimes in the same units. serving in same theatres. Personaly I have given up trying to trace people unless I have thier name & unit or the best is thier number. Even just just name & unit often produces many "multiple choice" answears. The only firms with the information normaly market it, rather than share it unfortuanatly.{they bought it from the Goverment.} In 10 or 20 years it might all be online for free. Good luck. Jonathan

9th January 2008, 06:57 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Hi Jonathan, I was hoping you would respond as you obviously have outstanding background with British military! As always, fascinating stuff and great photos. Thank you for always sharing them. All the best, Jim

11th January 2008, 08:40 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Lew, it would seem that a number of regiments were 'involved' in the uprising'... The Durham Light Infantry http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=5&gl=uk 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=9&gl=uk 2 Battalion, Garhwal Rifles http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:g...nk&cd=17&gl=uk This campaign medal was awarded....can't find a list of those that received it but could help find 'Sellers' http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=1&gl=uk Regards David

11th January 2008, 10:11 PM	#8
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	The 30 to 31 NWF clasp to be attached to the Indian General Service Medal for the red shirt & Afridi rebelion was awarded to the men of these British units. 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars 1st-12th Armoured Car Companies, 2nd Battalion,The Border Regiment 2nd Battalion,The Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Battalion,The South Lancashire Regiment 2nd Battalion,The Essex Regiment 2nd Battalion,The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st Battalion,The King's Shropshire Light Infantry 2nd Battalion,The Durham Light Infantry 2nd Battalion,Seaforth Highlanders Probaly many British Indian units as well. I havent got access to a list of them for that action. It was also a Garrison town with other units residing there but not all units in the Garrisons saw action or therfore got clasps. A letter to each Regimental museam curator , should pull up a few sellers amongst them. They will all say any sellers they find could be your man! i used to get excited at first. Then I learnt more. Sorry Lew I cant say it easy, Ive traced so many names till I reach the "well it could be one of these 3 or 4 guys stage." But luck might win out! Spiral

14th January 2008, 04:15 PM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Looks nice! pretty mean blade.