India: Armed Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Silver (15946 PO Std. Peter Gomez, I.N.)

The recipient's service number (issued sometime prior to 1945) indicates that he was a veteran of the Second World War

The recipient Peter Gomez was by ethnicity an Indian sailor of Goan ethnicity and the Christian faith, who held the non-commissioned-officer rank of Petty Officer Steward while serving with the Indian Navy

The recipient would have been serving in the Royal Indian Navy in 1946 (and earlier) and may have witnessed - if not participated in some capacity - in the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, that blighted British India in February 1946

The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny was a total strike and subsequent revolt by Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Navy, on board ships and shore establishments located at Bombay (now Mumbai) harbour on 18 February 1946. From the initial flashpoint in Bombay, the revolt spread and found support throughout British India, from Karachi to Calcutta, and ultimately came to involve over 20,000 sailors in 78 ships and shore establishments. Ultimately the mutiny was quickly suppressed by British troops and Royal Navy warships. Total casualties amongst the Indian ratings were 8 dead and 33 wounded. The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League condemned the mutiny, while the Communist Party of India was the only party that supported the rebellion

India became a Republic on 26 January 1950, at which time the former Royal Indian Navy, was restyled Indian Navy

An impressive national naval uprising statue and memorial garden to the fallen of the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny is located at, Colaba, Mumbai, India

The medal was established on 1957, retroactive to 25 March 1953

The medal is not an automatic award, and is only awarded to selected personnel, who have performed distinguished service in addition to having completed a minimum of 15 years service (prior to 1970, it was 18 years service), and is awarded with a one-off payment gratuity. Medals are awarded to the armed forces at a rate of 4 x medals for each 800 personnel in service

This is an award to denote long service and good conduct - and not just 'long service'

Recipients of this medal can also qualify and receive any of the Indian Armed Forces 'Long Service' medals, if they meet the qualifying length of services criteria for the 9 years, 20 years etc....long service medals

The medal fitted with a good long length of the correct ordnance issue riband - this latter generally very hard to find

A scarce seen medal to find on the market named to the Indian Navy

Condition: VF

Code: 25140