| Description
| Khyber Pass Trophy. Key shaped trophy (wood & metal). The Khyber Pass,between India and Afghanistan, was regarded as the key to India.
Silver plates on end of key are inscribed with officers signatures on both sides.
The Khyber Pass can be found in the Hindu Kush mountain range between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It has traditionally been regarded as a major trade route between South Asia and Central Asia, as well as a ‘key’ military position, including its use by invaders of India.
This wooden and metal item is a souvenir or trophy, marked with the date of 1936 as well as ‘26’ and ‘90’, to refer to the two regiments which combined to form the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The metal plates at either end of the key are inscribed with officers’ signatures on both sides.
From March to November 1936 the 1st Battalion was stationed in Landi Kotal, the highest point of the Khyber Pass on the North-West Frontier. Although now a tourist destination, the area was at that time in deepest tribal territory. It was described in Volume III of the Regimental History as
“a true out-post of Empire, the home of the Pathan rifle thief and a place where every military precaution is necessary.” |
