The inception and service of this volunteer unit was described by Gandhi,
its founder, in his Autobiography: 'When war was declared, my personal
sympathies were all with the Boers, but I believed then that I had yet no
right, in such cases, to enforce my individual convictions. I have minutely
dealt with the inner struggle regarding this in my history of the Satyagraha
in South Africa, and I must not repeat the argument here. I invite the
curious to turn to those pages. Suffice it to say that my loyalty to the
British rule drove me to participation with the British in that war. I felt
that, if I demanded rights as a British citizen, it was also my duty, as
such, to participate in the defence of the British Empire. I held then that
India could achieve here complete emancipation only within and through the
British Empire. So I collected together as many comrades as possible, and
with very great difficulty got their services accepted as an ambulance
corps. The average Englishman believed that the Indian was a coward,
incapable of taking risks or looking beyond his immediate self-interest.
Many English friends, therefore, threw cold water on my plan. But Dr. Booth
supported it whole-heartedly. He trained us in ambulance work. We secured
medical certificates of fitness for service at the front. Mr. Laughton and
the late Mr. Escombe enthusiastically supported the plan, and we applied at
last for service at the front. The Government thankfully acknowledged our
application, but said that our services were not needed. I would not rest
satisfied, however, with this refusal. Through the introduction of Dr.
Booth, I called on the Bishop of Natal. There were many Christian Indians in
our corps. The Bishop was delighted with my proposal and promised to help us
in getting our services accepted. Time too was working for us. The Boer had
shown more pluck, determination and bravery than had been expected; and our
services were ultimately needed. Our corps was 1,100 strong, with nearly 40
leaders. About three hundred were free Indians, and the rest indentured. Dr.
Booth was also with us. The corps acquitted itself well. Though our work was
to be outside the firing line, and though we had the protection of the Red
Cross, we were asked at a critical moment to serve within the firing line.
The reservation had not been of our seeking. The authorities did not want us
to be within range of fire. The situation, however, was changed after the
repulse at Spion Kop, and General Buller sent the message that, though we
were not bound to take the risk, the Government would be thankful if we
would do so and fetch the wounded from the field. We had no hesitation, and
so the action at Spion Kop found us working within the firing line. During
these days we had to march from twenty-five miles a day, bearing the wounded
on stretchers. Amongst the wounded we had the honour of carrying soldiers
like General Woodgate. The corps was disbanded after six weeks' service.
After the reverses at Spion Kop and Vaalkranz, the British
Commander-in-Chief abandoned the attempt to relieve Ladysmith and other
places by summary procedures, and decided to proceed slowly, awaiting
reinforcements from England and India. Our humble work was at the moment
much applauded, and the Indians' prestige was enhanced. The newspaper
published laudatory rhymes with the refrain, 'We are the sons of Empire
after all.' General Buller mentioned with appreciation the work of the corps
in his despatch, and the leaders were awarded the War Medal.... I cannot
forbear from recording a sweet reminiscence of how human nature shows itself
at its best in moments of trial. We were marching towards Chieveley Camp
where Lieutenant Roberts, the son of Lord Roberts, had received a mortal
wound. Our corps had the honour of carrying the body from the field. It was
a sultry day - the day of our march. Everyone was thirsting for water. There
was a tiny brook on the way where we could slake our thirst. But who was to
drink first? We had proposed to come in after the tommies had finished. But
they would not begin first and urged us to do so, and for a while a pleasant
competition went on for giving precedence to one another.'
As unpaid civilians, the Natal Volunteer Indian Ambulance Corps were not
eligible to receive Medals. Dean Booth lobbied the Secretary of State for
War, St. John Brodrick on behalf of the 34 Leaders. He already had a report
on the NVIAC placed before the Queen and he asked Brodrick to award Medals
to the Leaders, who had given their services free but would prize such a
reward. Lord Wolseley decided this should be agreed to because if it was
brought to the Queen's notice she would undoubtedly demand that it be done.
Gandhi's QSA is in the Nehru Museum, New Delhi.
34 men received the QSA.
Market examples
QSA (2) TH RoL (Leader S.N. Richards, Natal Vol. Ind. Amb. C.).
Spink Oct 1999.
