A rare Malabar 1921-22 D.S.O. group of six awarded to Colonel A. W. Duncan, 2/8th Gurkha Rifles

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., in case of issue; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt., 2-8 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal; India Service Medal, a few chips to D.S.O. wreaths, otherwise very fine and better (6) £2000-2500

D.S.O. and M.I.D. London Gazette 2 June 1923: ‘For distinguished services rendered in connection with Military Operations in Malabar 1921-22.’ One of only two D.S.O’s awarded for the Malabar operations.

The following details have been extracted from the regimental history of the 8th Gurkha Rifles:

‘On 2nd November, 1921, the Battalion (less “C” Company and two machine guns) were ordered to Tirur to take part in an extensive drive in co-operation with the rest of the Malabar Force. “C” Company and the machine guns under Captain W. A. Duncan were left at the village of Pandikaad where, on 4th November, 1921, stirring events took place. Before dawn on that day a force of Moplahs, estimated at 2,000, attacked “C” Company’s post. By sheer weight of numbers, some sixty of the rebels succeeded in breaking through the perimeter defences at one point. Roused from their sleep by this sudden onslaught, the men of “C” Company, with the willing help of bhistis and cooks, took on the fanatical Moplahs with kukri and sword-bayonets against the sword and dagger, disposing of those who had gained an entrance. The two machine guns did great execution on the masses of rebels outside the perimeter. The enemy fled, leaving 234 dead on the ground. Many more were reported to have died of wounds during the following few days. Ten guns and 197 swords were picked up inside or near the perimeter walls.’

The losses of the 8th Gurkhas in this attack amounted to Captain A. E. Averill, died of wounds, 3 Gurkha other ranks killed, and 2 Gurkha officers and 32 other ranks wounded. Captain Duncan was awarded the D.S.O. and Naik Dasratchand Thakur the I.O.M., although the latter received his award mainly in recognition of his gallantry in the action on the Feroke Manjeri Road, a few weeks earlier, when he rushed at a party of the enemy killing several and bayoneting two others.

The following telegram was received by the G.O.C., Malabar Force, from His Excellency The Commander-in-Chief in India, Lord Rawlinson: ‘Will you please convey to the 2/8th Gurkhas my congratulations and warm thanks for their spirited and successful defence of Pandikaad Post. It was well and bravely done.’

Alan Wilson Duncan was born on 19 September 1892. He served in the ranks of the New Zealand Forces from 14 August 1914 to 4 May 1915, when he was commissioned into the Indian Army and posted to the 2/8th Gurkha Rifles. He is probably entitled to medals for service during the Great War. During the Second World War Colonel Duncan took over command of the Regimental Centre in January 1943, and held that command until May 1946 when he left India on retirement. He died at Lymington, Hampshire, on 2 June 1968.