My paternal
grand-father:- Stark Kenneth Aitkins was a Signaler on the 1st
Younghusband Expedition to Lahsa, in Tibet, this was circa. end of 1800`s,
start of 1900`s. He along with all the members of the expedition
were awarded medals by King George V, Emperor of India. The medal
has the profile of King George V on one side, and the Potala on the
reverse. I remember some anecdotes retold by my father, which gave
insight into the human condition on that journey and humour, too. My
grand-father was an obviously adventurous as a young man. The British in
India made many expeditions at that time, and he volunteered to go on the
Expedition to the Shan States in Burma. Another Expedition went to
Tashkent (I am sure of this), Samarkhand, Isfahan and Bokhara (these names
I remember, but not so sure). Anyway, the expedition went and came
back, through the two passes: The Bolen Pass and the Khyber Pass.
I don`t remember which way they went and returned. Anyway, it is
recorded somewhere.
Maureen
David (nee Aitkins) |
