Volunteer Long Service Medal (India & the Colonies). EDVII issue (Sergt D J Macintosh Assam Vlly Lt Horse)

Medal Verification: The award was published in India Army Order No 556 of 1907

Medals awarded: Approximately 46 x awards of the VLSM were made to the Assam Valley Light Horse during the reign of King Edward VII

Photograph & Obituary: After working more then 25 years in the Tea Estates of Assam, India, in 1912, Duncan Macintosh returning to the United Kingdom, and retirement in Aberdeen, Scotland. In his latter years Duncan was resident at The Forsyth Hotel, Union Street, Aberdeen (the Granite City's first 'Temperance Hotel' that became 'The Gloucester Hotel' in, 1950). He died in Aberdeen in 1923, with a detailed obituary (too long to here repeat) including a portrait photograph of the recipient was published in the Aberdeen Press & Journal issue of, 30 October 1923

Duncan John Macintosh (1868-1923), youngest son of Donald Macintosh (a Farmer) and Isabella Macintosh (nee Rose) was a native of the parish of, Daviot & Dunlichity, Inverness-shire, Scotland, where he was born IN 1868. Duncan John Macintosh died in Scotland on 13 October 1923, at the age of 55 years. The Petty Old Churchyard, located at Petty, Inverness-shire, includes a family granite obelisk memorial in memory of Duncan John Macintosh (and other members of his family), which after his name is inscribed "Late of Assam"

By profession a 'Tea Planter' Duncan John Macintosh was a long time resident in Assam. Thackers Directory have numerous listings for Duncan, including; 1895 at 'Darrang' District, where he was Manager of the 'Kolony' Tea Garden (270 acres) at Balipara, which Tea Garden was under the Calcutta Agents (Williamson, Magor & Co)

A keen volunteer soldier, frequently competed in the regimental shooting competitions held in British India - at a time when the Assam Valley Light Horse boasted some crack-shots. Duncan is also recorded as having entered domestic shooting competitions in the North East of Scotland, while on furlough in the United Kingdom, at which time he registered as a representative of the Assam Valley Light Horse. Reference the 'Dundee Advertiser' issue of 8 July 1897, there is a long report on the recently contested annual 'Aberdeen Wapinschaw', held in 1897, where Duncan is shown as having competed as a member of the 'Assam Light Horse' (sic) - and the only competitor registered under an Indian unit!

The Assam Valley Light Horse, had its origins in the Assam Volunteer Cavalry, which was the first Volunteer regiment to be raised in Assam, in 1865. On, 6 November 1891, several of the Assam local volunteer corps, were amalgamated, viz Sibsagar Mounted Rifles, Lakhimpur Mounted Rifles; Darrang Mounted Rifles; Nowgong Mounted Rifles and Gauhati Rifles , to form the Assam Valley Mounted Rifles. The Assam Valley Mounted rifles only existed in that name, for just over 4 years and 10 months, before it was restyled the Assam Valley Light Horse, on 25 September 1896. On establishment as Assam Valley Light Horse, comprised 6 x troops, which by 1896, mustered 360 x 'All Ranks'. The regiment had its Headquarters located at Dibrugarh, with detachments at; Sibsagar, Jorhat, Salona and Tezpur

Condition: GVF

Code: 24224