India General Service 1936. With clasp 'North West Frontier 1930-31' (32573 Clk. Sant Singh. 1 Mtn. Bty.)

Recipient was an Indian soldier of the Sikh faith, holding the appointment of 'Clerk' while serving with the 1st Mountain Battery, a mountain artillery unit of the British Indian Army

Sant Singh was a regular enlisted soldier, who was latterly appointed 'Clerk' - a scarce appointment in the Indian Mountain Artillery units, as there was only one 'Clerk' per battery, and the person charged with maintenance of the battery's nominal rolls amongst other administrative duties

Reference 'The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery' (Graham, 1957), it is confirmed that 1st Mountain Battery served in both of the campaigns commemorated on the respective medal clasps

1st Mountain Battery: The battery had a long history of service dating back to its raising in 1851 as an artillery unit of the Punjab Frontier Force. In 1928, it was styled 1st Royal (Kohat) Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery (Frontier Force) (How). During the Second World War the unit served in the Burma Campaign under higher formation 17th Indian Division, which constituent units were famously referred to as 'Black Cat's', this being accolade being a reference to the divisions distinctive 'Black Cat' divisional insignia, worn by 'All Ranks'. In August 1947, the unit was transferred to the Pakistan Army, where the descendent thrives to this day, as, 2 Royal Kohat (SP) Medium Battery, Artillery (FF)

A scarce seen appointment to a Sikh 'Mountain Gunner'

Condition: About VF

Code: 23613