General Service Medal 1918-62. GV first issue with clasp 'Iraq' (438 Sowar Kehar Singh. C. of Guides (Cav.))

The medal solder repaired at suspension, and the recipient entitled to the clasp 'N.W. Persia' (not Iraq)

Medal Verification: Entitlement to medal with clasp 'N.W. Persia' confirmed per the respective campaign medal roll of the Corps of Guides Cavalry held at The National Archives (ref WO 100/G22/432) that was compiled and signed at Mardan Cantonment, North West Frontier Province, India on 18 March 1924

The recipient was an Indian cavalryman of the Sikh faith holding the rank of Sowar (Trooper) while serving with the Corps of Guides Cavalry - the most famous regiment of the British Indian Army

An estimated 562 x GSM's were issued to 'All-Ranks', including followers, of the Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Cavalry), of which 307 x medals had the single clasp 'N.W. Persia'; 53 x medals had the single clasp 'Kurdistan' and 193 x medals had both clasps (N.W. Persia & Kurdistan). However, and consistent with other issuances of this medal to Indian Army regiments, many of the medals were never distributed, or delivered, to the actual recipients. In the case of the 'Guides', a total of 148 medals - of which 74 medals had the single clasp 'N.W. Persia' - remained undistributed by 1930, in which year they were returned to the Army Department, New Delhi, in 1930, for scrapping to bullion, for re-use by the treasury

The regimental medal rolls, show that Kehar Singh's original medal and clasp was amongst the 148 medals returned to the Army Department, New Delhi, in 1930. The medal here offered being the recipients replacement re-issued medal

An interesting medal-saga notwithstanding the repair and error-clasp, which now form part of the medal's history

Condition: GF

Code: 24266