The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The scarce Tirah 1897 D.C.M. group of three to Drummer F. E. Challis, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

(a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Drumr. F. E. Challis, K.O.S. B’drs.)

(b) India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4205 Pte. F. Challis, 2nd Bn. K.O. Sco. Bord.)

(c) Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (4205 Pte. T. Challis, K.O. Scot. Bord.) note differing initial on the last, generally good very fine £3000-4000

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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D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen on 9 July 1898, and announced in Army Order 135 of 1898 (Tirah 1897-98).

During the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, the 2nd King’s Own Scottish Borderers endured much hardship and danger during its marches through ice-cold streams and amidst the precipitous hills and passes of the north-west frontier, constantly exposed to the bullets of the tribesmen. The battalion was in action 23 times, including the initial capture of the heights of Dargai, Sampagha Pass, Arhanga Pass, Tirah and Bara Valleys, at Bagh and the Shimkanar Pass. It had 4 officers and 32 N.C.O’s and men killed or wounded during the operations, and six men won the medal for distinguished conduct in the field, all Colour-Sergeants or Sergeants, with the lone exception of Drummer Francis Challis.

Francis Edward Challis was born at Hungerford, Wiltshire, and enlisted in London for the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 17 October 1892, aged 18 years 10 months. He served in India from December 1893 until February 1902, including the relif of Chitral in 1895, and with the Tirah Expeditionary Force in 1897-98. He served in South Africa during the closing stages of the Boer War, from February to September 1902, and thereafter at Home until his dischargeat Berwick-on-Tweed on 16 October 1904.

Refs: Army Orders 1898; WO 97/4509.