Length: 16.5cm (6.5in)
Unmarked Indian silver. Modelled as rhinoceros raised on an ebonised wood base applied with the AVLH regimental badge and formation and disbandment dates of ‘1888’ and ‘1947’, over name scroll inscribed ‘Pte. E.R. Muggeridge’. Together with Burma Star and India War Service Medal 1939-45 with MID oak leaf (privately engraved 'Lt. E.R. Muggeridge 15th Punjab R.) Together with snapshot photographs taken by Muggeridge whilst on HMS Warspite in 1942, all captioned, including Colombo Harbour, Sri Lanka together with a black and white group photograph featuring Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Muggeridge, back row, third from left, another in tropical military uniform.
The Assam Valley Light Horse was raised in 1882 by members of the tea planting community. Comprising plantation owners, managers, tea merchants and shippers, it was part of the Auxiliary Force of India, and provided officers and men for the British and Indian armies in both World Wars. In peacetime its principal role with other volunteer forces across India was to protect the railways and other installations, especially in view of the Mutiny 1857. The AVLH was disbanded on the granting of Indian Independence in 1947, whence remaining ‘Mess’ funds were used to pay for the manufacture these silver rhino trophies for serving members of the regiment.
Edgar Richard ‘Ben’ Muggeridge (1904-1978) was commissioned into the 15th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army in 1942, and was employed in Special Operations Intelligence, liaising with General ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell’s staff identifying Japanese positions in Burma and maintaining the the 'Stillwell Road' supply route which ran 478 miles through Burma from Assam in British India to Yunnan Province, China, and which was instrumental in defeating the Japanese.