This Day in History: 1911-05-24

Reminiscence by Lieutenant Colonel EW Sweet: ‘On the Abor Expedition the 1st Battalion’s supplies were carried by 3000 Naga tribesmen who were ‘wild looking and carried spears‘ commanded by Captain Becher. As they refused to use latrines he ordered 3 tribesmen to be flogged as an example and a Gurkha rifle company was stood-to in case of trouble. There was none. The tribesmen ‘roared with laughter to see their pals flogged‘ – and always used the latrines thereafter’.