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Claude Rowcroft was the son of Captain Harry Crommelin Rowcroft RE. After starting his army career as an artillery officer he transferred to the cavalry.
Whilst holding the rank of major he commanded a trench regiment of 300 men in May 1916. He took over command of the 9th Hodson's Horse in late December while they were at Brusle. In 1920 he was temporarily removed from his post to command the 26th Light Cavalry. This lasted from 2nd Feb to 19th June and his place was taken for this period by Major M Vigors, an officer who had distinguished himself leading D Squadron at Gouzeaucourt and at Kiswe. Rowcroft commanded the 9th up until they were amalgamated with 10th DCO Hodson's Horse in September 1921. He remained as commanding officer of the combined regiments until March 1922. The photo shows Rowcroft in the khaki undress uniform as worn around 1900. The turban is blue with gold blue and white stripes. His shoulder chains seem to have a single pip on each shoulder which is puzzling because it is unlikely that he would have remained a subaltern so long if he was such a high-flyer. The pouch belt is the interesting part of this uniform. It is a brown leather undress item with silver chains and pickers.
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