Car pennant, Gazelle Force, used by General Sir (then Colonel) Frank Messervy, Gazelle Force, 1940-1941

Gazelle Force were a scratch force that operated in Eritrea in 1941, on the northern front of the East African Campaign during World War Two (1939-1945). It was composed of Indian soldiers from the 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse, the 4th Battalion of the 11th Sikh Regiment, three motor machine gun companies of the Sudan Defence Force and 390th (Sussex Yeomanry) Field Battery of 144th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.

General Sir Frank Messervy (1893-1974) served with 9th Hodson's Horse in France, Palestine and Syria during World War One (1914-1918). He had remained in the Army between the wars, and went on to serve with great distinction in East Africa, North Africa, and Burma during the World War Two (1939-1945), becoming one of Britain's finest corps and divisional commanders. Messervy served with 7th Armoured Division in Libya in 1942.

In July 1943, Messervy was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7th Indian Infantry Division which was sent to the Arakan in Burma to join XV Corps in September. Messervy led the troops that re-captured Malaya from the Japanese in 1945, and he served as Commander-in-Chief Malaya.

After the War, he was appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, India, from 1946 to 1947. When Pakistan was established following Partition, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army from 1947 to 1948. He retired in 1948. He died in Midhurst, Sussex, in 1974.

One of a collection of ten car pennants used by General Sir Frank Messervy.