During the Battle of Bishnepur and Silchar Track, there was this sweeper/follower name refer as Kantu who deposit the content of a thunder box in a pit often under fire. Kantu work around the clock ceaselessly crawling along the exposed trench, with the added risk of being ambushed beyond the wire. His conduct so amazed the Northamptons that they asked that his work should be recognised. It was without parallel that anyone should get a Mention in Despatches for shovelling excretions, but this was agreed by the CiC and later was awarded with his Mention. A short story of Kantu is given in the book "The Silchar Track" by Terence R. Molloy. Can anyone throw more light of the Shovel Guy Kantu. Or is there any official document relevant with his Mention? Any information will be much appreciated. Raj
As with most things in life it’s the small insignificant cog within the engine that’s overlooked, vital as they are! This man through his lowly work probably saved many lives through the control of disease spread by flies feeding on waste products, especially in this campaign. If one man was awarded recognition for his services then it should be held as a banner for all those who did the same work. Lionboxer
Have you contacted the Regimental museum to see if they have more info or stories from vweterans?? TD
I am proud to have included the Sweeper from 77th Brigade (Chindit 1) in my research work. He was Sweeper Shamsher from Dehra Dun: Casualty MID's are very difficult to find. Do you have a general period for the award, which might then show up in the London Gazette records.
a few from the Remembering Today thread Remembering Today 16/1/45 Sweeper Sadiq Royal Indian Army Service Corps Remembering Today 8/11/45 Sweeper Rama Chandran 120468 Indian Army Medical Corps Remembering Today 12/1/44 Sweeper: Firoz Chand,308029, Indian Pioneer Corps 1380 Coy Remembering Today 15/7/45 Sweeper Kala O/140039 Indian Army Ordnance Corps 226 Base Ordnance Depot
Found this MID entry, but it is too early for our man, close as the say, but no cigar. At least it gives hope that he might be recorded somewhere.
Many thanks for the information. The incident happen during the battle of bishenpur and silchar track. So it must be around April- June 1944. regards, Raj.
One additional information is that Sweeper Kantu return home alive after the war but died soon with tuberculosis. regards, Raj.
He doesn't appear in the list of MIDs for the 1st Bn Northamptonshire Regiment included in Jervois' book which is the Regimental History and was a major source for Molloy's book.
