An extremely scarce Commanding Officer's Delhi Durbar 1903 & Indian Volunteer Decoration pair: Major John Logan, VD, Coorg & Mysore Rifles

- Delhi Durbar Medal 1903
- Indian Volunteer Forces Officers Decoration. EDVII issue (Major J. Logan Coorg & Mysore Rifles)

Both medals now 'sans' their integral top buckle / bars. The Durbar Medal only with a neat replacement suspension, and the IVD riband adorned with a silver or white metal top bar

The IVD with English silver hallmarks to reverse for Birmingham 1902

 Medal Verification: Both medals confirmed as entitled per the below following medal roll & Gazette of India references:

- Delhi Durbar Medal 1903: L/MIL/5/126. Shown under 'Mysore' state allocation (9 x medal only), as 'Commanding Coorg & Mysore Rifle Volunteers' 
- Indian Volunteer Forces Officers Decoration: Published in Gazette of India issue of 7 November 1903

Coorg and Mysore Rifles: The corps was established on 21 November 1884, comprising detachments located in South Coorg and Mysore respectively. John Logan first joined the South Coorg detachment of the Coorg and Mysore Rifles on 3 August 1885 at which time held the rank of Captain. He was promoted Major with appointment as 'Commandant' of the corps from 1 June 1891. Major Logan resigned his commission in 1905, at which time he was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (The India Gazette issue of 10 June 1905 refers). In 1905, the sanctioned establishment of the Coorg and Mysore Rifles in January 1905, was 4 x companies with an enrolled strength of 248. As of the April 1905 edition of the Indian Army List, the unit had an Officer strength of 17, comprising:

- 1 x Major (Major John Logan, V.D. who was Commandant)
- 4 x Captains
- 5 x Lieutenants
- 4 x 2nd-Lieutenants
- 3 x Staff (these were BO's of the Indian Army attached as Adjutant together with an Honorary Chaplain and a Medical Officer of the IMS)

During the South African War 1899-1902, a detachment comprising 1 x 'Officer' and 30 x 'Other Ranks' of the Coorg & Mysore Rifles volunteered and served overseas on active service with Lumsden's Horse. The detachment suffered one fatal casualty, Trooper Pollet, who died from enteric fever

John Logan son of David Logan (a Farmer & latterly Justice of the Peace) and Margaret Logan (nee Linton) was a native of, Lochalsh, Ross-Shire, Scotland, where he was born on, 19 August 1845. John Logan, was a long term Scottish expatriate 'Coffee Planter' and resident of the Southern Indian 'Coorg' region (in present day Karnataka) where he played a very prominent part in the development and production of the Coffee Plantations in the Coorg region, and where for many years he was spokesman and 'Chair' for the Coorg Planters Association. He was one of only 9 x person resident in Coorg State to be awarded the 1903 Delhi Durbar Medal, in which year he was also awarded the Indian Volunteer Officers Decoration as Commanding Officer of the Coorg & Mysore Rifles. The English language newspapers of British India are liberally peppered with articles appertaining to the recipient. mostly in his capacity as Chairman of the Coorg Planters Association - and a driving force behind the subsequent building of extensions to the Southern India railway network to serve the Plantation (Tea & Coffee) Industry in Coorg. John (62) - described as a bachelor and 'Planter' married the widow Maria Jean Donaldson (51) on 14 September 1907, at, St. Andrews Church, Madras, India. Sadly the couple were not destined to live a long married together, as Maria is recorded to have died at Polibeta, Coorg, India, in 1911, and where she was laid to rest in a burial plot at Christ Church Cemetery, Polibeta (located in the present day Indian state of Karnataka). Even after John retired to his native Scotland, he still kept an active role and interest in his Indian assets, with United Kingdom passenger shipping manifests from the inter-war years showing that he visited India, in 1919. at the age of 73, describing himself as 'Coffee Roaster', no doubt a reference to his trading in imported Southern India Coffee into the United Kingdom. John Logan is recorded to have died in his native place of Lochalsh, in the Scottish Highland. in 1932. A much respected member of his Highland Community, the below following obituary was published in The North Star issue of, 13 August 1932:

Quote,

RECENT DEATHS

MR JOHN LOGAN, RERAIG

Mr John Logan who passed away at Reraig, Lochalsh, in the 88th year of his age, was the second eldest of the well-known Logan family of Auchtertyre. He went to India at the age of 25, and for the long period of 54 years engaged in the business of coffee and rice planting in that country. He retired in 1923 and returned to his native land and made his home at Balmacara. a true Highlander, he took a lively interest in the work of An Comunn Gaidhealach, and was a familiar figure at the Mods and other Highland gatherings.

Four years ago he attended the Highland Gathering at Strathpeffer, and in reminiscent mood, recalled the fact that in 1861 he was present at the unveiling of the monument erected by Sir Roderick J. Murchison, the geologist to the memory of Mr. Donald Farquhar, the faithful and loyal factor and servant of Lord Seaforth, when an exile in France after in 'The Fifteen'. Mr Logan's sight failed him in recent years, and it was a sad blow to him in May 1931 when his sister, with whom he resided, passed away. A well-known brother, Mr David Logan, died in January 1923. The father, Mr David Logan, J.P., died on 1st August, 1887, aged 86 years. He went to Lochalsh as far back as 1840, as parish schoolmaster, but in 1843 resigned and cast in his lot with the Free Church, of which he was a staunch and devoted supporter all his life.

The funeral took place at Balmacara, and the burial in the family grave in Lochalsh Churchyard. The procession was headed by Mr Urquhart, Reraig, playing appropriate laments on the bagpipes. The coffin was covered with the tartan of the Logan clan.

The principal mourners were Dr Logan (brother). Mr George Duncan (nephew), Mr Norman Reid and his son of New Kelso, Sir Daniel Hamilton, Dr Macrae, Lochalsh; Dr John Matheson, Plockton; Dr Ian Matheson, Rhumore; Mr Hosack and Mr John Maclennan, Kyle; Colonel Kemble of Duncraig; Mr John Matheson, Reraig. Rev. Mr. Maclean and Mr Macmillan conducted the funeral service

Unquote.

An extremely rare medal pair to an Officer Commanding an Indian Volunteer unit

Condition: VF

Code: 25641