Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Waziristan 1923-24’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Major M. J. Dolan, Royal Engineers and Sappers and Miners

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (28207 Sergt., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.), B.W.M. renamed; India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (Capt., 3 S. & M.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (28207 Q.M. Sjt. Instr., R.E.) some contact marks, generally very fine (6) £750-850

M.B.E. London Gazette 13 March 1925. ‘... for valuable services rendered in the field in connection with military operations in Waziristan, 21st April, 1923 to 31st March, 1924’. ‘Captain, Royal Engineers (Indian Army)’.

Michael John Dolan was born on 22 January 1876. He enlisted into the Royal Engineers on 22 May 1894. In December 1896 Dolan arrived in India where he was posted to the 4th Company Bengal Sappers and Miners. As a Sergeant, he served in the Third China War, landing at Sinho and arriving at Tientsin on 5 August 1900. The 4th Company Sappers and Miners who were involved in improving the defences at Tientsin and in charge of a supply convoy of junks sailing up the Paiho, reached Pekin on 20 August. From 21 August 1900-August 1901 they were involved in improving communications in the Legation Quarter, other work in Pekin and railway construction to the south of the city. The Company returned to India in September 1901. In the years prior to the Great War, Dolan was appointed a Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor and in 1912 was awarded the L.S. & G.C. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 24 January 1915. Still in India he was posted to No.18 Company, 3rd (Bombay) Sappers and Miners. On 23 July 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant. By the end of 1916 his company was in Mesopotamia, supporting the 3rd Indian Division. In Mesopotamia, Dolan saw action at Kut, 9 January-24 February 1917, and Baghdad, 25 February-10 March 1917. He was appointed an Acting Captain in the Indian Army on 1 January 1918 and was promoted to that rank on 24 March 1918. By Autumn 1918 his company had been re-assigned to the British 10th Division in Palestine and Captain Dolan saw action with the Division at the battle of Nablus, 19-25 September 1918. After the end of hostilities, Dolan and his company returned to India; his unit, the 3rd Sappers and Miners, being re-designated the Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners. On 8 May 1919 Dolan was appointed an Acting Major and assigned as the Commander of “E” Company of the unit. With them he saw action in Afghanistan and the Northwest Frontier during 1919. By 23 May he had reverted back to his rank of Captain and was posted to the 55th Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners as second in command to Captain J. G. O. Whitehead, R.E. With this unit he saw action in Mahsud Territory and in the punitive operations against the Tochi and Wana in Waziristan. Dolan continued to serve in Waziristan until late 1923. For his services there he was awarded the M.B.E. On 24 January 1924 he was promoted to Major and posted as Commandant, “H” Company, Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners, based at Kirkee. He remained with the unit at Kirkee until his retirement in 1939. Sold with a folder detailing his military service and a copied group photograph.