TheNatal Indian Ambulance Corps was created byMahatma Gandhi for use by theBritish as stretcher bearers during theSecond Boer War, with expenses met by thelocal Indian community. Gandhi and the corps served at theBattle of Spion Kop. It consisted of 300 free Indians and 800indentured labourers. It was committed to saving the lives ofAfricans andIndians. Gandhi was bestowed with the 'Kaiser-i-Hind' and other medals by the British for his work in Boer war. This was given up by Gandhi after theJallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.
With the Boer attack inNatal in October 1899 leading to thesiege of Ladysmith, the British authorities recruited theNatal Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC) of about 1,100 local White men.[1] At the same time Gandhi pressed for his Indian stretcher bearers to be allowed to serve. At theBattle of Colenso on 15 December, the NVAC removed the wounded from the front line and the Indians then transported them to the railhead.[2] At theBattle of Spion Kop on 23–24 January, the Indians moved into the frontline.[citation needed]
Following therelief of Ladysmith at the end of February 1900, the war moved away from Natal and both corps were immediately disbanded. 34 of the Indian leaders were awarded theQueen's South Africa Medal: Gandhi's is held by theNehru Memorial Museum & Library in New Delhi.[3]
After the outbreak of theBambatha Rebellion in Natal in 1906, theNatal Indian Congress raised theIndian Stretcher Bearer Corps, Mahatma Gandhi acting as itssergeant major. Twenty members of the Corps, including Gandhi, later received theNatal Native Rebellion Medal.[4]