India General Service Medal 1895.-1902. Victorian silver issue with clasp 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98' (5605 Pte W. Smith. 1st Bn. Gord: Hrs.)

Medal Verification: Medal & clasp verified per respective medal roll of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (ref WO 100/89) compiled and signed at, Gharial, India, 5 August 1898

William Smith, was a native of, Newmill, Keith, Banffshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1878. William enlisted in the regular British Army, at Aberdeen, Scotland, on, 20 February 1896, at which time he claimed to be 18 years of age, and by trade a 'Baker'. His terms of engagement were to be a a contract for 'Short Service', comprising 7 x years were to be 'With the Colours' & 5 x years with the 'Army Reserve'. He was however no stranger to military service, as at enlistment he cited being a serving member of the 3rd (The Buchan) Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders. He was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Gordon Highlanders located at Castlehill Barracks, Aberdeen, to complete his basic training, after which on 7 July 1896 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. His service record reveal that he let himself down when he criminally fell foul of the regimental and military authorities, being detained in the Guard Room for '11 days' on 1896, being followed followed by a trial of 2 days at District Court Martial, at which he was found guilty of 'Theft' and sentenced to 84 x days imprisonment with 'Hard Labour'. William was released from 'Prison' on 20 August 1897. He was transferred to, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders on, 2 February 1898.

- Home: 20/02/1896 - 27/12/1897 (1 year & 311 days)
- British India: 28/12/1897 - 06/06/1899 (1 years & 161 days)

During his service in India, William, served on the North West Frontier of British India, where he deployed on active service with his battalion in 1898. In 1899, William was invalided from the British Army, due to becoming medically unfit for further military service. The detailed medical records - and examination - state that he was declared 'Invalided' due to contracting 'Enteric Fever' at Umballa Cantonment, Punjab, India, where the tropical disease had been endemic

Note: A very good (colourful) set of the recipients service record for this recipient are extant and accessible at The National Archives

A choice condition medal with a fairly scarce seen single issue clasp to the Gordons

Condition About EF

Code: 23421