A most desirable hard-fighting North West Frontier of India multi clasp medal pair with 'Victoria Cross' associations: Sepoy Som Nath 5th Battalion (QVO Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment

Comprising:

- India General Service Medal 1908-35: GV issue & clasp 'North West Frontier 1935' (10783 Sep. Som Nath, 5-12 F.F.R.)

- India General Service 1936-39. With clasp 'North West Frontier 1936-37' (10783 Sep. Som Nath, 5-12 F.F.R.)

The recipient was an Indian soldier of Dogra Rajput ethnicity and the Hindu faith serving as a Sepoy (Private) with the 5th Bn (QVO Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

The most famous - and distinguished - unit of the British Indian Army was the Corps of Guides (1st Battalion Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsden's) Infantry - that was restyled as 5th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment, in 1922

'Guides' - both British and Indian - under their new guise as 5/12 F.F.R., continued to perpetuate numerous deeds of supreme gallantry during the inter-war era, not least in the frontier campaign 1935, as manifested by the heroism of former Etonian, Captain Godfrey Meynell - who had earlier been decorated with a Military Cross for services during the Chitral Reliefs of 1932 - and was later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross - a unique award of the British Empire's highest reward for gallantry to be issued during the reign of King Edward VIII, the uncrowned King;

Quote (London Gazette 24 December 1935),

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer : The late Captain Godfrey Meynell, M.C., 5th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides), 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army. For most conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty. On the 29th September, 1935, while operating against Mohmand tribesmen in the attack on Point 4080, Captain Meynell was Adjutant of the Battalion. In the final phase of the attack, the Battalion Commander was unable to get information from his most forward troops. Captain Meynell went forward to ascertain the situation and found the forward troops on the objective, but involved in a struggle against an enemy vastly superior in numbers. Seeing the situation he at once took over command of the men in this area. The enemy, by this time, was closing in on the position from three sides. Captain Meynell had at his disposal two Lewis guns and about thirty men. Although this party was maintaining heavy and accurate fire on the advancing enemy, the overwhelming numbers of the latter succeeded in reaching the position. Both the Lewis guns were damaged beyond repair and a fierce hand to hand struggle commenced. During the struggle Captain Meynell was mortally wounded and all his men were either killed or wounded. Throughout the action Captain Meynell endeavoured by all means to communicate the situation to Headquarters, but determined to hold on at all costs and encouraged his men to fight with him to the last. By so doing he inflicted on the enemy very heavy casualties which prevented them from exploiting their success. The fine example Captain Meynell set to his men, coupled with his determination to hold the position to the last, maintain the traditions of the Army and reflect the highest credit on the fallen officer and his comrades.

Unquote.

During the above Victoria Cross action, 5/12 F.F.R., only deployed about 370 x 'All-ranks' in the action, many of whom were killed, or wounded during the fighting

For their gallantry during the epic North West Frontier actions of 1935, the below following decorations were awarded to the Indian 'All-Ranks' of 5th Bn (QVO Corps Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment:

- Indian Order of Merit x 3
- Indian Distinguished Service Medal: x 12

A most desirable combination of campaign medals and clasps to a hard-fighting soldier of the 'Guides'

Condition: About GVF

Code: 24336