Fowler and Edwardes (and their dog Biddy) had been part of an ammunition column making its way to Chitral after fighting had already broken out. On 15th March 1895, Edwardes’ and Fowler were persuaded to join Chitrali tribal leader Muhammed Isa in watching a polo match. During the course of the match, Edwardes’ and Fowler were overpowered and the buildings immediately stormed, with most of the Kashmiri troops and the Sappers and Miners killed, other than a small group of Muslim soldiers who were taken prisoner.
Lieutenant S.M. Edwardes was an officer of the 2nd Bombay Grenadiers, on secondment to the forces of the Maharajah of Kashmir as a member of the Indian Staff Corps. The photograph of Edwardes and Fowler taken after their release from captivity shows Edwardes’ fox terrier ‘Biddy’. Biddy was shot in the chest in the first day of fighting at Reshun and not expected to survive. Biddy was evacuated to the buildings, when the group moved from the camp. After his capture during the polo game, Edwardes persuaded his captors to permit him to keep Biddy with him. Together, Fowler, Edwardes and Biddy were taken to Chitral and then to Jandol, where they were handed to Indian troops. Edwardes was awarded the DSO for his conduct during the Relief of Chitral. Biddy received the Indian General Service Medal with the clasp ‘Relief of Chitral’.
Lieutenant J.S. Fowler was an officer of the Royal Engineers on secondment to the Bengal Sappers and Miners. Fowler was in Gilgit conducting work on the Chilas to Gilgit road, when he was ordered to Mastuj with his 20 Sappers and Miners. Fowler was also awarded the DSO for his conduct during the Relief of Chitral. When Robertson became Commandant of the Staff College he called for Fowler as an instructor; the ‘Chitral Mafia’ at work. Throughout the First World War, Fowler was Director of Signalling on the Western Front, rising to the rank of Lieutenant General. Fowler became the first colonel of the Royal Corps of Signals.
