Statuette of a Sowar of the Somaliland Camel Corps, 1926 (c)

Silver, by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd, 1926 (c).

The Somaliland Camel Corps was established in March 1914 to maintain order in northern British Somaliland. The corps served in several expeditions against Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, known as the 'Mad Mullah', who had risen in revolt against British colonial rule.

This silver statuette was presented to the officers of the Somaliland Camel Corps by Major R F Hornby and Captain K G Fernie of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars. Both officers had served with the Camel Corps on attachment from their parent regiment. Like many other colonial units, the Camel Corps had British officers and locally recruited soldiers. The Somalis had a long tradition of using camels as they were ideal beasts for the dry climate and barren terrain of their country.