A Collection of Awards to the Scinde Rifles

A fine Second World War I.D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Subadar Major Amir Khan, 13th Frontier Force Rifles: having won a brace of “mentions” for gallant deeds in Waziristan in 1936 and in the Middle East in 1941, he was decorated for gallantry in a close quarter night action in Italy in November 1943 - to which accolades he added the
O.B.I. before the War’s end

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Subdr. Amir Khan, 13 R.F.F. Rif.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37, M.I.D. oak leaf (Jemdr. Amir Khan, 6-13 F.F. Rif.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, ‘Khan’ officially corrected on the first two, good very fine and better (7) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Scinde Rifles.

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I.D.S.M. London Gazette 11 May 1944. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘From 31 October 1943 to 4 November 1943, during which time the Battalion was in close contact with the enemy in the Tufillo-Mount Farano area, Subadar Amir Khan repeatedly showed outstanding courage in leading the men under difficult circumstances. On the night of 3 November, this Subadar was with a detached post from his Company when the enemy put in a counter-attack resulting in close quarter fighting in the dark. The party was surrounded and except for the Subadar and two men all were either killed of captured (a total of 18). Subadar Amir Khan and his two men managed to get into a position on a cliff side where they held on until ordered to withdraw just before daylight. This officer’s conduct throughout the actions of Tufillo and Mount Farano was of the highest order and his energy and example inspired and gave added confidence to his men under difficult circumstances.’

Amir Khan, a Pathan Khattak, appears to have enrolled in the Indian Army as a commissioned officer in May 1933 - certainly he was appointed Jemadar in the same month. First going into action on the North-West Frontier in 1936-37, where he won a mention in despatches (London Gazette 18 February 1938), he was serving as Jemadar Adjutant of the 6th Battalion, Frontier Force Rifles, by the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939.

Having then gained a second “mention” for gallantry in the Middle East (London Gazette 30 December 1931 refers), he served as Subadar Major throughout the Italian campaign and, as cited above, was awarded the I.D.S.M.; so, too, the 2nd Class of the Order of British India, which distinction was raised to the 1st Class by the time of his retirement after the War.

On one occasion in Italy, Amir Khan greatly impressed the C.O. of the 6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, by stepping into the light of a bonfire and making a rousing ‘Blood Brother’ speech.

As verified by the regimental association’s journal, The Piffer, he was a regular attendant at social and presentation gatherings for many years, on one telling some junior officers ‘some stirring stories of the Battalion’s part in the Italian campaign’, and on another occasion ‘dominating the scene with his jokes of ‘Angarh Dangash’ days’. An inspirational leader, Amir Khan died in 1978; sold with further details.

For anyone interested in awards to the Scinde Rifles your attention is drawn to Lots 953 and 1283 in tomorrow’s auction