India General Service Medal 1895-1902. Silver. Victorian issue with 2 x clasps 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98' & 'Tirah 1897-98' (3556. Pte R. Thorne. 1st Bn Som: Lt Infy:)

Rare to regiment clasp: The 'Tirah 1897-98' clasp is extremely rare to the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry - and only an estimated 17 x 'Tirah 1897-98' clasps issued to men of the battalion who served on attachment / secondment away from their parent battalion during the Tirah, North West Frontier campaigns of 1897-1898

Medal & Clasps Verification: This medal and 2 x clasps verified as entitled per the below following sources:

- IGS 1895-1902. Silver issue & 2 x clasps 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98' & 'Tirah 1897-98: WO 100/86. For attached service as a 'Brigade Signaller'

Robert Thorne, was a native of, Twerton, near Bath, Somerset, England, where he was born in 1874. By trade a 'Farm Labourer' he was 18 years of age, when he enlisted in the British Army, at, Taunton, Somerset, England,  on, 15 February 1892. On enlistment he was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Somerset Light Infantry to complete his basic training. Robert subsequently served a total of 12 years with the British Army. By the time he took his discharge from the British Army on 14 March 1902, most of his service had been spent overseas, including active service during the Mohmand Expedition and Tirah Campaigns on the North West Frontier of India, 1897-98. His record of service is summarised below:

- Home: 15/02/1892 - 04/10/1892 (232 Days)
- Gibraltar: 05/10/1892 - 23/10/1893 (1 Year 19 Days)
- Home: 24/10/1893 - 28/02/1894 (128 Days)
- East Indies: 01/03/1894 - 21/12/1902 (8 Years 296 Days)
- Home: 22/12/1902 - 14/02/1902 (1 Year 55 Days)

The recipients service paper include the remark that he was a 'Skilled Carpenter'

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

A very rare seen IGS 1895 medal on the market with the 'Tirah 1897-98' clasp awarded to the Somerset Light Infantry - and this the only campaign medal that the recipient was entitled to 

Condition: GVF

Code: 25458