Sir Pratap Singh, Maharaja of Idar the oldest combat soldier in WWI

[Chantry]

Link: https://storiesfromwar.medium.com/maharaja-in-the-military-sir-pratap-singh-of-idar-eea20875a159

He strikes me as both a character and not someone to mess with.  There is a story where he was visiting his troops in the trenches and stayed overnight.  In the morning, still in his silk pajamas, he took his double rifle and found a spot where he could shoot at the Germans.  Every once in a while he would fire a shot, which was often followed by the loud clang of his bullet striking one of the metal plates (which both sides used as armor for sniping and observation ) and the yelling of the Germans.

 

Upon his unit's transfer to the Middle East he continued to lead from the front, on once occasion spending 30 straight hours in the saddle.  The Jodphur Lancers launched one of the last great cavalry charges of WWI.  Sir Pratap Singh was running a fever that day and I have no doubt he greatly regretted not being able to lead that charge himself.

Link: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-i/the-last-great-cavalry-charge-of-ww1-the-jodhpur-lancers.html?chrome=1