Lot 1290

Description

South Australian Ambulance Brigade, 1935, in gold (30gms, 40mm x 44mm shield) with loop mount and brooch pin,

inscribed on obverse 'Life Member / Mahomed Allum' and on reverse 'South Australian / Ambulance / Transport /

Incorporated / 1935'. Extremely fine.

Mahomet Allum (1858?-1964) camel driver, herbalist and philanthropist, was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He

supplied the British Army with Arab horses and camels. His business venture allowed him to travel through Asia. He

arrived in Australia somewhere between 1888 and 1890. Working with camels he delivered supplies to inland townships

and stations and was also a stationhand, sailor and mine-hand. In 1828 or 1829 he settled in Adelaide at a time

when there was a lack of confidence by many people with conventional medical practitioners, this enabled herbalists

and faith healers to prosper. Allum resided in Adelaide for most of the remainder of his life dispensing herbal

mixtures and advice from his home, asking no payment, however, accepting donations and giving freely to charities.

The biography `Mahomet Allum' by Madeleine Brunto shows him wearing the South Australian Ambulance Brigade Medal in

the photograph on the front cover.