MAHATMA GANDHI AND HIS BOER WAR MEDICS

Ghandi as a member of the Ambulance Corps (1899-1902) and as the Leader fo the Indian Freedom Campaign (1930-1947)

Members of the Ambulance Corp pose for a group photo. Gandhi in middle, beside man with beard. 

Indo-Canadians & other Canadians are very aware of Mahatma Gandhi’s Life Long struggle to obtain Political Rights for his people & the Freedom of their Country. But how many are aware that this struggle began in Soth Africa during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) & the Bambatha (Zulu) Rebellion. More surprising is the fact that his opening strategy was to encourage fellow Indians there to enlist in an Ambulance Corps providing Medical Support to the British Empire? 

Indian bearers carrying a wounded soldier in a Dhoolie. 

Gandhi believed that if Indians provided such practical help to the Imperial Cause, Britains afterwards would see the Justice of extending Political rights to Indians. Unfortunately while Britain issued Campaign Medals to Gandhi’s stretcher- Bearers —- they failed to give Political Rights to his Medics & eventually Gandhi gave up on hoping that his people would receive these Rights being given them——   & instead he would have to resort to a long Non Violent Campaign to Obtain them. Finally in 1947 this Campaign was successful. 

Surgeon Captain Umedram Lalbhai Desai (1869-1930) Indian Ortopedic.  In Dundee, South Africa during Boer, a surgeon he volunteered with British War Forces during Boer War.  On the right, Indian Bearers of the Natal Ambulance