1914 Star. With original dated clasp '5 Aug - 22 Nov 1914' (No. 3999 Spr. Maidwar. 3/S&M.)

The clasp is stitched to the riband

The recipient was an Indian soldier holding the rank of 'Sapper' while serving with the 20th Company of the 3rd Sappers and Miners, a military sappers unit of the British Indian Army

Wounded-in-Action: No. 3999 Sapper Maidwar is confirmed being 'Wounded-in-Action', during one of the earliest engagements by soldiers of the Indian Corps against enemy German troops, at Neuve Chappelle, on, 28 October 1914. Reference the long list headed 'Indian Casualties' published in the 'Army and Navy Gazette' issue of, 23 January 1915

During the above action at Neuve Chappelle, of approximately 190 x 'All-Ranks', British Officers, Indian Officers and British & Indian 'Other Ranks' of 20th Company 3rd Sappers and Miners who fought in the action of 28 October 1914, the casualties sustained were appalling, with 24 x 'All-Ranks' Killed, and another 54 x 'All Ranks' wounded - the casualties included all the British officers!

Unusually, in the recorded & storied annals of the British Indian Army, the 20th Company Royal Sappers and Miners published their own unit history, covering their services in the Great War titled:

A copy of the above rare book can be purchased on our website, see item Code: 19462

'History of the 20th Field Company, Royal Sappers and Miners in the Great War' (Major H. W. R. Hamilton, D.S.O., M.C., Reprinted from the Royal Engineers Journal. Undated). 51pp

For the War Diary extracts of the Neuve Chappelle action fought by 20th Coy 3rd Sappers and Miners see the excellent website 'Researching the Lives and Service Records of First World War Soldiers', by copying the below link:

- http://www.researchingww1.co.uk/20th-field-companys-attack-on-neuve-chapelle-28-october-1914

A rare and desirable 1914 Star to a confirmed early 1914 Indian Corps casualty for a famous Indian Corps action

Condition: GVF

Code: 24519