Xxxxxx / first post

Discussion in 'General' started by Bozerboy0585, Jan 19, 2013.

  1. Bozerboy0585

    Bozerboy0585 Junior Member

    Hello I'm Steve and although I have been 'lurking' and reading posts on this brilliantly informative forum for many months now this is my first post.

    Looking at the 'Remembered on this Day' a question popped into my head that no amount of GOOGLE-ing could answer; that of the rank of Water Carrier. What exactly would these men do, be responsible for and is the 'rank' seen as on a par with Sepoy or beneath?

    look forward to any answers and contributing more

    Steve :)
     
  2. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

  3. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hello and welcome to the forum Steve

    Lesley
     
  4. Bozerboy0585

    Bozerboy0585 Junior Member

    Thanks chaps, re the xxxx,s I wondered what had occurred!!!!

    Steve
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Hello, Steve.

    This is an informed guess: I think a Water carrier would fall into the category of 'enlisted/enrolled follower'. Indian units used semi-civilian followers to undertake domestic duties - cooks, sweepers, laundry (dhobi) and, presumably, water carriers. I think it stems from caste issues - I get the impression India was as much, if not more, class-conscious as Britain.

    There is, of course, that most famous of water carriers: Gunga Din
     
  6. Bozerboy0585

    Bozerboy0585 Junior Member

    Idler this is pretty much what I thought (I had no idea Gunga Din was a water carrier however) and I think you right about the caste system, it's strictly (although not always acknowledged) adhered too.

    Steve
     
  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  8. Bozerboy0585

    Bozerboy0585 Junior Member

    CL1 this is what prompted my question, thanks
     

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