Indian Volunteer Officer’s Decoration. GV issue with integral top brooch bar (Capt (Hony Major) F. G. R. Dawson E.B.S.Ry Vol Rifles)

The integral top bar now 'sans' pin and clasp to facilitate mounting

Medal(s) verification: In addition to the Indian Volunteer Decoration, Major Frderick George Royal Dawson was additionally awarded a Delhi Durbar Medal 1911, silver issue. Both awards confirmed entitled per below official cited sources:

- The Indian Volunteer Decoration: Published per Gazette of India issue of 7 October 1911
- Delhi Durbar Medal 1911: WO 100/400 (22 x medals awarded to 'All Ranks' of the regiment comprising 9 x Officers & 11 x 13 x 'Other Ranks')

Reference 'The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration. The Indian Volunteer Forces Officers' Decoration' (J.M.A. Tamplin, 1981), records an estimated total of 1164 x awards of the Indian Volunteer Decoration between 1902-1934. Of which it is estimated that 879 x awards of the GV issue were issued 1911-1934)

Eastern Bengal State Railway Vol Rifles. With its Headquarters located at Calcutta, Bengal, India, the Eastern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifles was an auxiliary regiment raised on 1 March 1873. In 1882 the regiment was restyled the Eastern Bengal Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps when it was amalgamated with the Northern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps. In 1884 the regiment reverted to its original designation, and on 1 April 1917 it became 12th Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion. On 1 October 1920, the regiment was redesignated Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion

Frederick George Royal Dawson, son of George Augustus Royal Dawson (1839-1891) and Annie Eliza Dawson (nee Oliver) was a true 'Son of Empire'. Like his father before him he was born in Madras Presidency, British India. Frederick was born at Ootacumund, on, 1 June 1867. Frederick Dawson was educated at the Royal Indian Engineering College located at Cooper's Hill, Surrey, England - as a prelude to a long and brilliant career stretching more then 30 years as a 'Railway Engineer' in British India including Burma. His application to become a chartered member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, shows a highly qualified Railway Engineer, who had both studied and worked on some of the most impressive railway engineering projects of the late 19th Century - his specialty being bridges and railway culverts - for which he was latterly published. Major Dawson - and 'Chief Engineer' was appointed to the Railway Board of British India in, 1919, and returned to the United Kingdom after his retirement in 1922. In the United Kingdom, he resided with his family at, Waterlooville, Hampshire, England. At the time of the compilation of the National Register for England & Wales in 1939, Frederick was residing with his wife and family at, 362 London Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire, England, at which time he is described as a 'Professor of Engineering, retired'. Frederick died in Hampshire on, 16 August 1951

Condition: GVF

Code: 24226