Talk:Imperial Service Troops

Latest comment: 12 years ago by Buistr in topic Infobox flag

Infobox flag

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When these troops are involved in campaigns for example Sinai and Palestine Campaign of WWI; should the the flags of indvidual states go in or should this be put under one flag? ChristiaandeWet (talk) 12:19, 22 May 2012 (UTC)Reply

  • I think best probably under a single flag - the British Union Jack. The Imperial Service Troops were not campaigning as soldiers of independent states but as auxiliaries of the British Indian Army. As far as I know there is no evidence that the individual state flags were carried by them on parade or on other occasions when in British service. Buistr (talk) 19:53, 22 May 2012 (UTC)MayReply
Do you mean the British India flag or the Union Flag? ChristiaandeWet (talk) 23:43, 24 2012 (UTC)
The Union Flag was the official standard displayed for all land-based military occasions during the period of British rule and I suggest that you go with that. There were other flags for the Viceroy, the Royal Indian Navy and for display at certain international events. However none of these seem particularly applicable to infoboxs recording the involvement of ISI units in a given campaign. Is there any established Wikipedia flagging practice recording participation by the regular British Indian Army? Buistr (talk) 03:23, 25 May 2012 (UTC)Reply
Just getting back to the issue of displaying Princely State flags in the appropriate campaign infobox - there is of course no reason why the rules applying to flag display under the Raj of almost a century ago should affect Wikipedia articles now. If someone is ready to research which flag was relevant to (say) the Sirmoor Sappers during (say) the Mesepotamia campaign and incorporate it accordingly then good luck to them. It should however be kept in mind that these were not independent allies who had declared war on Germany or Turkey of their own will - they were simply subject rulers who had undertaken to make elements of their state forces unconditionally available to the Indian Government in the event of need - whether for frontier duty, involvement in a major war against foreign enemies or simply garrison duty to replace regular troops of the British Indian Army. Hope this helps. Buistr (talk) 08:54, 25 May 2012 (UTC)Reply