Camels on the frontier, 1919

Photograph by Randolph Bezzant Holmes (1888-1973), 3rd Afghan War, 1919.

Despite the wide scale use of motor transport in areas where the terrain permitted it, the British-Indian forces operating during the 3rd Afghan War (1919) still relied on pack animals like mules and camels to move the bulk of their supplies. The one-hump Arabian camel, or dromedary, was used by the British and Indian Armies for many years. Well adapted to the sort of barren terrain encountered in the frontier regions and able to walk for miles a day, they were vital beasts of burden.

From an album of 43 photographs, 1920 (c)-1925 compiled by Major G A Clarke, 12th Pioneers (The Kelat-i-Ghilzie Regiment), 3rd Afghan War (1919).