The Malakand Order of Merit pair awarded to Naik Sawan Singh, 24th Bengal Infantry

(a) Order of Merit, 3rd Class, the reverse with screw-nut fitting and officially inscribed on three lines ‘3rd Class Order of Merit’

(b) India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897 (2798 Naick Sawan Singh, 24th Bl. Infy.) cleaned and lacquered, light contact marks otherwise nearly very fine (2) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Order of Merit GGO 101 of 1898: ‘For conspicuous gallantry at Malakand throughout the night of the 26th July 1897. He accompanied the party of officers and men in the retaking of the Sappers and Miners’ quarter-guard. In one of these attempts nearly half the party were shot down, among them being a sepoy of the 45th Sikhs, orderly to Colonel Meiklejohn. When forced back some 20 yards, Sawan Singh rushed forward to the original spot and carried back the body of the orderly.’

Ref: Deeds of Valour performed by Indian Officers and Soldiers (Hypher).