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India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Sikkim 1888' (4947 Mule Driver Nura Commt Deptt Bl)

The recipient was a native non-combatant performing the trade of 'Mule Driver' while serving employed with the Commissariat Department of the Bengal Army

The Sikkim Campaign 1888, has the distinction of having been fought at the highest altitudes ever encountered by the British and Indian Army's up to that time, and only surpassed by the higher altitudes attained by the British Indian Army during the 'Younghusband Expedition' to Tibet (1903-1904)

The Kingdom of Sikkim became an Indian Princely State in 1890, and in 1950 became a protectorate of the Republic of India

A rare campaign clasp in bronze to find on the market for the Sikkim Expedition of 1888 , and the more desirable for being in such good condition

Condition: GVF

Code: 20407

SOLD

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India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Chin-Lushai 1889-90' (Cook Kyaw Win Burma Sappers & Miners)

The recipient was a native Burmese non-combatant performing the trade of 'Cook' while serving as an attested 'Follower' with the single company strength Burma Sappers & Miners

Important: The Burma Sappers and Miners were raised in 1887, they were initially referred to as the Burma Company Sappers & Miners, and were included as a separate formation under the listings for the Queens Own Madras Sappers & Miners that were published in the Indian Army Lists prior to 1903. The unit had the distinction of being the very first regular military unit raised in Burma to recruit and eventually comprise only Burmese indigenous soldiers, under command of British Officers. The other-ranks were drawn from several classes and ethnicities including, Burmans, and the Karen, Kachin and Shan hill tribes. Reference the monumental 'The Military Engineer in India' Volume I (E.W.C. Sandes, 1933), the author writes:

Quote,

One result of the war was the raising of a Burma Company of Sappers and Miners. This was authorized in July, 1887, and the unit was affiliated to the Madras Sappers and Miners. The Royal Engineer officers for the new unit were to be lent in rotation from the three Corps of Sappers and Miners, each officer being relieved after two years in Burma if he so desired. The Indian officers were to come solely from the Madras Corps. Great difficulties were encountered at once in getting recruits, only 15 of whom had enlisted by the end of 1887 when the company at Mandalay was commanded by Captain E.W Cotter, R.E. The first idea had been to form a unit of one half of which should be Burmans, one-quarter Kachins and Karens, and one -quarter Shans; but the Kachins and Shans would not come forward, and when the company reached its full strength for the first time in October, 1890, about four-fifths of the men were Burmans and the remainder Karens. In 1893 the Burma Company became an integral part of the Corps of Madras Sappers and Miners, rendering good service for a number of years until it was finally disbanded in 1929. Many officers have pleasant recollections of the jovial and intelligent Burma Sapper in his slouch hat and smart uniform in modern Mandalay.

Unquote

For a single company size unit, it was extensively deployed on active service campaigns in Burma between 1889-1894, earning several clasp issues of the Indian General Service Medal 1854. Various issues of the London Gazette, and the Calcutta published 'The Englishman's Overland Mail' (and subsequent issues of The Englishman) in the period circa 1887-1895, contains several reports of the engagements - and casualties sustained - by the Burma Sappers & Miners in that period

In 1903 the unit was restyled as 15 (Burma) Company, 2nd Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners, becoming 4th Burma Sappers and Miners in 1922 (in which year the unit was decoupled from any further association with the Queens Own Madras Sapper & Miners. The unit was again finally styled Burma Sappers and Miners in 1923. The unit was disbanded in 1929

A rare campaign medal in bronze to find on the market named to a Burmese follower serving with the Burma Sappers & Miners

Choice

Condition: GVF

Code: 20406

295.00 GBP

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Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue. No clasp (7639 Pte. A. J. Mc.Intosh. Midd’x Regt.)

Note: Private Alexander John McIntosh 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment is verified as entitled to a QSA Medal (no clasp), per the respective medal roll of 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (ref WO 100/195) that was compiled and signed at, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, on 7 April 1902

Important: Private Alexander John McIntosh served in St Helena 1901-1902, where his regiment 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was deployed as a garrison regiment (1900-1902), and to provide security and guards for the Prisoner of War Camps located on St. Helena that that been created to incarcerate Boer Prisoners of War who had been transported from South Africa

During the period 1900-1902 about 6000 Boer Prisoners of War were incarcerated on St Helena, of which an estimated 180 x Boer Prisoners died of disease, and 3 x POW's were executed for serious offences. There were at least 2 x attempts of escape made by the Boer POW's, one of which was foiled on the island, while the other saw an enterprising Boer get as far as Ascension Island, hidden in a wooden crate marked 'Boer Curios', but who was subsequently returned to captivity in St. Helena

Alexander John McIntosh, son of Alexander John McIntosh, was a native of the parish of, Bow, London, Middlesex, England, where he was born circa 1883. A true 'Cockney', Alexander was residing with his family in West Ham, at, 66 Ponds Road, Stratford, when on 16 September 1901 he attested at London for service with the 5th (Militia) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, with which unit he served 49 days, prior to transfer for service overseas with the recently raised 3rd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment (raised in 1900) with which unit he served in St. Helena

The recipients Militia Attestation papers are extant and are accessible at The National Archives

Condition: VF

Code: 20405

145.00 GBP

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Queen’ South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Natal' (1384 Pte. W. J. James. Middlesex Regt.)

Important: Private William John James, 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, died of 'Enteric Fever' at Ladysmith, Natal Colony, South Africa, on 26 May 1900

Note: Medal and clasp verified as the recipient's only medal entitlement per the campaign medal roll of 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (ref WO 100/195)

Rarity: Only 1 x Officer and 21 x Other Ranks of the Middlesex Regiment were awarded the medal with single clasp ‘Natal’

A very scarce regimental medal with single clasp 'Natal'

William John James son of Thomas James and Martha James (nee Wilks) was a native of, Turkdean, North Leach, Gloucestershire, England, where he was born circa 1866. William declared his age as 18 years & 8 months when he attested for full-time military service with the British Army, at Hounslow, Middlesex, on 29 June 1885. Prior to enlistment in the Regular Army, William cited prior military service in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. On enlistment, William was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Middlesex Regiment and after completion of his basic training was on 5 August 1885 posted to 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, then on 'Home Service' in England. On 7 September 1886, William transferred to the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, and subsequently served with that battalion overseas in British India where he remained at various cantonments for 5 years 256 days between 7 September 1886 to 20 May 1892. William was a 'Reservist' on the Army Reserve when he was recalled to 'The Colours' for overseas service with 2/Middlesex in the South African War, in which campaign he served throughout in Natal Colony between 23 February 1900 until the time of his death due to 'Enteric Fever' on 26 May 1900.

Choice

Condition: EF

Code: 20404

SOLD

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Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue & 4 x clasps,'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal' & 'South Africa 1901' (8393 Pte. A. Findell, Vol: Coy. Middx: Regt.)

Note: The regimental number with single digit official correction, and exactly as issued, and the top date clasp attached by a silver rod

Important: Medal and all 4 x clasps verified entitled and issued. The recipient's only medal entitlement per the respective campaign medal roll of the 2nd Volunteer Service Company, attached to 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (ref WO 100/195)

Albert Findell was born in Ealing in 1879 and attested for the Middlesex Regiment on 28 February 1901. He served with the 2nd Volunteer Company in South Africa during the Boer War from, 4 May 1901 until his discharge on 3 November 1901

Condition: About GVF

Code: 20403

175.00 GBP

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Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue & 5 x clasps, 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal', 'Laing’s Nek', 'Cape Colony' & 'South Africa 1901' (7120 Pte. W. Nicholls, Vol: Coy. Middx: Regt.)

Note: Top 2 x clasps attached by contemporary rivets

Important: The medal and all 5 x clasps verified as entitled per the respective campaign medal roll of 1st Volunteer Service Company, 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, viz:

- OFS, Tran & LN clasps (WO 100/95, p352). Dated 15 July 1901
- CC & SA 1901 clasps (WO 100/195, p357 ). Dated 2 November 1902

A very good example of a multi-clasp QSA Medal awarded to the 1st Volunteer Service Company of the Middlesex Regiment

Condition: GVF

Code: 20402

265.00 GBP

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Africa General Service Medal 1902-56. EDVII silver issue & clasp 'Somaliland 1902-04' (3194 Pte. Mir Alam Khan. 107th. Pioneers.)

Important: Medal and clasp verified as entitled and issued per respective campaign medal roll of 107th Pioneers (ref WO 100/102) compiled and signed at, Kirkee, Maharashtra, India, on 25 May 1905

The recipient was an Indian soldier holding the rank of Private while serving with the 107th Pioneers, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

The 107th Pioneers had their origins in 1788 with the raising of the 4th Battalion of Bombay Sepoys. In 1903, the descendent unit was restyled 107th Pioneers. As an infantry battalion of the Bombay Presidency Army, the 107th Pioneers, held the below following pre 1914 battle honours;

- Mysore
- Seedaseer
- Seringapatam
- Beni Boo Ali
- Burma 1885-87

The medal retaining a good clean length of original and stitched silk medal riband

Condition: Toned EF

Code: 20401

SOLD

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Tibet Medal 1903-04. Bronze issue no clasp (Bearer Imam Din 19th Punjabis)

The recipient was a non-combatant Indian 'Follower' who performed the trade of 'Bearer' (Servant) while serving as an attested follower with the 19th Punjabis, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

Important: All named Bronze Tibet Medals to attested followers serving with infantry regiments are scarce - and depending on the regiment can be rare or unique. Basis the extreme nature of campaigning, in the 'High Himalaya' infantry all regiments in the Tibet Expedition were severely curtailed from bringing their usual prolific establishment of non-combatant followers, that they were used to employing in their cantonments or on campaign service in the North West Frontier or Burma.

A choice 'Bronze Medal', especially so found in such uncommonly good condition for a bronze medal to a British Officer's 'Servant'

Very scarce named to an Indian infantry regiment

Condition: About EF

Code: 20400

285.00 GBP

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India General Service Medal 1908-35. EdVII silver issue with clasp 'North West Frontier 1908' (3132 Sowar Kapur Singh (3) 21st. Cavy.)

The recipient was an Indian soldier of the Sikh faith serving as a Sowar (Trooper) with the 21st Cavalry (Frontier Force), a cavalry regiment of the Indian Army

Note: The numeral 3 in brackets (3) after the recipient's name indicates that he was the third man of the exact same name to serve in the regiment at the same time - each of which were of course allocated unique regimental numbers on attestation, but would have bene referred to within the regiment as Kapur Singh 'the first, the second, the third etc.'....

The regiment had its origins in 1849 when it was raised by Henry Daly as the 1st Regiment of Punjab Cavalry, and subsequently a constituent regiment of what became the Punjab Frontier Force

The regiment participated in several 'Frontier' campaigns during the latter half of the 19th century, and its foreign service in that period was recognised by the award of two theatre battle honours:

- Abyssinia
- Afghanistan 1878-80

In 1922 the 21st Cavalry merged with the 23rd Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force to become 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)

Condition: VF

Code: 20399

115.00 GBP

Shortlist item

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Sikkim 1888' (4947 Mule Driver Nura Commt Deptt Bl)

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Chin-Lushai 1889-90' (Cook Kyaw Win Burma Sappers & Miners)

Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue. No clasp (7639 Pte. A. J. Mc.Intosh. Midd’x Regt.)

Queen’ South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Natal' (1384 Pte. W. J. James. Middlesex Regt.)

Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue & 4 x clasps,'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal' & 'South Africa 1901' (8393 Pte. A. Findell, Vol: Coy. Middx: Regt.)

Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue & 5 x clasps, 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal', 'Laing’s Nek', 'Cape Colony' & 'South Africa 1901' (7120 Pte. W. Nicholls, Vol: Coy. Middx: Regt.)

Africa General Service Medal 1902-56. EDVII silver issue & clasp 'Somaliland 1902-04' (3194 Pte. Mir Alam Khan. 107th. Pioneers.)

Tibet Medal 1903-04. Bronze issue no clasp (Bearer Imam Din 19th Punjabis)

India General Service Medal 1908-35. EdVII silver issue with clasp 'North West Frontier 1908' (3132 Sowar Kapur Singh (3) 21st. Cavy.)

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (1676 Sowar Basant Singh, 23/Cavy.)