Aberdeen Medals

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India General Service Medal 1854. Silver issue with clasp 'Burma 1887-89' (39 Pte Fa Motu Karen Levy Burma Mily Police)

Following the British seizure of Rangoon and 'Lower Burma' in 1852, a unit of Karen Levies is recorded as having been raised in 1853, and served briefly in the pacification of lower Burma. After the British-Burmese War of 1885 - and the British seizure of Manadalay and indeed the rest of Burma - a large number of new Military Police battalions were formed, including the 'Karen Military Police', raised in July, 1887, by Mr. Kiernander. Initially comprising 2 x companies, the Karens were reported to be amenable to discipline, and to have proved themselves efficient and valuable auxiliaries in the work of suppressing dacoity in the period 1887-1892. The Karen unit raised in 1887, became the nucleus of the battalion of Karens stationed in the Lower Chindwin Division. Typical of approbations for the mostly under-reported services of the Karen Levy in the period 1887-1889, is that published in 'The Homeward Mail', edition of 13 August 1888;

Quote,

The Mandalay Herald says; - We are glad to record an instance of Police intelligence and usefulness. The Karen Levy at Mingoon having received intelligence of an intended meeting of dacoit Bohs on both banks of the river in Madeya, started off at once, and in connection with the police at the latter station, took immediate steps that resulted in preventing a consultation at which the future plan of campaign in these parts was to have been settled. Our Karen levies of police are just proving themselves the best material we have for police work, and it is to be hoped that future recruiting from this class of natives will be more largely made. It was only the other day that they distinguished themselves in the attack and pursuit of the rebels who nearly succeeded in wrecking and looting the Prome mail train

Unquote.

Colonial history records that the Karens became the most favoured - and most loyal - of the Burmese 'hill-tribes' during the British occupation of Burma. Their numbers being disproportionately represented in the ranks of the various Burmese military and civilian uniformed services, and in particular the Burma Rifles.

A rare seen on the market early 'Karen' ethnic unit

The medal with 'Bazaar Wallah' test mark on rii, and loose suspension

Condition: GF

Code: 18061Price:

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Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (Rifleman Purbeer Thappa 2d Goorkha Regt.)

Note: Named in the correct Indian Army style of engraving for this regiment (reference illustration shown in 'British Battles & Medals' (7th Edition 2006))

The recipient was a Gurkha soldier holding the rank of 'Rifleman' while serving with the 2nd Goorkha Regiment, later styled 2nd Gurkha Rifles

It was for their outstanding gallantry at Delhi during the Indian Mutiny, that the 'Sirmoor Rifles' (later styled s 2nd Goorkha Regiment), were given the honour of wearing 'Rifles' green uniforms; carrying the title 'Rifles' in their appointments and name, and the men using the rank 'Rifleman' instead of the hitherto used 'Sepoy'

The medal mounted with original watered 'moire' silk riband

Condition: GVF

Code: 18062Price:

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India General Service Medal 1908. GV first issue with clasp 'Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919' (083 Havr. Shad Khan, 2nd Guides.)

Note: 2nd Battalion Guides was a war raised battalion, and all 'Other Ranks' of 2/Guides were allocated regimental numbers that included the prefix numeral '0' to distinguish them from men serving with 1st Guides

Recipient was an Indian soldier holding the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) while serving with the 2nd Battalion Queens Own Corps Guides Infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The low regimental number shows that he was on the original muster of this 'War Raised' unit

The Corps of Guides (comprising both Cavalry and Infantry regiments) was arguably the most distinguished and battle corps of the British Indian Army. With the regimental centre located at 'Mardan' Cantonment in the North West Frontier Province, the 'Guides' were an integral component of the 'Punjab Frontier Force' and prior to the Great War deployed in numerous campaigns and wars on the North West Frontier of India, as well as fighting further afield in the Punjab during the Second Sikh War; at Delhi during the Indian Mutiny, and several campaigns during the Afghanistan War of 1878-1880. Prior to their amalgamation and restyling as 5th Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922, the Guides Infantry had earned the below following battle honours;

- Mooltan
- Goojerat
- Delhi 1857
- Ali Masjid
- Kabul 1879
- Afghanistan 1878-80
- Chitral
- Malakand
- Punjab Frontier

2nd Battalion QVO Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsden's) Infantry was raised in India in 1917, and during the Great War, served on the North West Frontier of India, Egypt, Palestine & Syria. After their return to India, the battalion deployed on active campaign service during the Third Afghan War 1919. 2nd Battalion Guides was not disbanded post-war, and was retained in the Indian Army, the unit being re-styled in 1922 as 10th Bn (Q.V.O. Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment

Condition: VF

Code: 17915Price: 50.00 GBP