General Service Medal 1918-62. GV first issue with clasp 'Kurdistan' (15167 Dvr. Amadan Atnaiel. 1-Levy P. By.)

By ethnicity and faith the recipient was an Assyrian Christian, holding the rank of Driver while serving with the 1st Levy Pack Battery, the artillery unit of the British 'Iraq Levies'

In late 1921, authority was given to raise a Pack Battery for the Iraq Levies, which was recruited and came into existence in 1922, as 1st Levy Pack Battery (although it was further sanctioned that a second pack battery was to be established, there is no evidence that a second battery was ever raised. In 1922, the establishment of the Pack Battery, was set at 210 x 'All-Ranks'. The Pack Battery was equipped with 2.75-inch howitzers, 20,000 shells and pack mules for transport. Only a single section of the 1st Levy Pack Battery deployed on active service in Kurdistan. In 1922, was based at the Iraq Levies depot and Headquarters located at Mosul, Iraq. The unit was disbanded in 1927, at which time the men were transferred to the 4th Assyrian Battalion Iraq Levies

Medal & Clasp Verification: Medal and clasp is confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign medal roll referenced below:

- GSM 1918-62 with clasp 'Kurdistan': WO 100/G55/465. Service in theatre 27/03/23 - 28/04/23 roll compiled at Mosul on 3 May 1926

Rarity: The medal roll for the Kurdistan campaign, shows that only 25 x 'All-Ranks' are recorded being awarded the GSM medal with clasp 'Kurdistan', this comprised 25 x Assyrians. On another page in the same referenced medal roll, an Indian Army, Veterinary Assistant-Surgeon, D. N. Dutt, is shown 'attached' serving with 1st Levy Pack Battery - whether this latter had his medal named to the 1st Levy Pack Battery, or is named to his parent Indian Army is not knownunit

The 1st Levy Pack Battery, 1921-1927 was the first all 'Assyrian' unit of the Iraq Levies, and the only artillery unit of the force. The Iraq Levies were later restyled as Royal Air Force Levies Iraq

An extremely rare to unit medal, and of considerable 'Artillery' and colonial military history interest

Condition: VF

Code: 24904