Auction Catalogue
Create new listA very rare North West Frontier and Waziristan I.D.S.M. and Bar awarded to Subadar Qudrat Shah, Tochi Scouts
Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Bar (Subdr. Qudrat Shah, Tochi Scouts) impressed naming, correction to first three letters of name, complete with top suspension brooch, mounted as originally worn by the recipient, very fine and very rare £1400-1800
I.D.S.M. G.G.O. No. 944 of 1922, and Gazette of India 3 June 1922: ‘For distinguished conduct in connection with raids in the Tochi Valley, North West Frontier.’
Bar to I.D.S.M. G.G.O. No. 688 of 1923, and Gazette of India 19 May 1923: ‘For gallantry and distinguished conduct while serving with the Waziristan Force.’
The initial recommendation was for an award of the Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class: ‘This Indian officer has been in action on several occasions from each of which he has emerged with credit. He is in receipt of two sanads [certificates] from GOC Wazir Force for gallantry and devotion to duty at Ishar [June 1919]. He has done excellent work in keeping his Company loyal and up to the mark. In May 1920 he succeeded, in spite of considerable opposition by the Hijrat Movement, in bringing in fifty recruits. This service is worthy of recognition as the task was only accomplished at loss to himself in his own country.
During the hot weather of 1921, Subedar Qudrat Shah took out chighas at night on several occasions accounting for many raiders. These actions effectively put a stop to raids in Tochi for that year. It [the I.O.M.] has been more than earned and its award would have an excellent effect, not only on Qudrat Shah, but on the Orakzai Companies.’
In the event, Qudrat Shah received a second-award bar to his I.D.S.M. It was one of only two such awards for 1923, and it was not until 1937 that another bar was awarded. Throughout the entire existence of the I.D.S.M., only fifty-five bars are known to have been awarded. Sold with detailed research.
Share This Page