General Service Medal 1918-62. GV first issue with clasp 'Iraq' (3129 Sepoy Gugan. 12-Pioneers.)

The recipient was an Indian soldier who held the rank of  'Sepoy' (Private) while serving with the 12th Pioneers (The Kelat -i-Ghilzie Regiment), an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

Medal & Clasp Verification: The award of the medal and clasp to Sepoy Gugan,is confirmed per the respective campaign medal roll of 2nd Battalion 2nd Bombay Pioneers (late 12 Pioneers) reference WO 100/G44/454 that was compiled and signed at Meerut Cantonment, India, on, 3 November 1923. The medal roll entry annotated with remark 'Pensioned' against the recipients named indicating that Sepoy Gurgan had retired to pension prior to the medal roll being compiled & signed

The 12th Pioneers (The Kelat-i-Ghilzie Regiment) were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. They could trace their origins to 1838, when they were raised as the 3rd Battalion, Shah Shuja's Force. In 1842 the battalion distinguished itself at the battle of fort Kelat-i-Ghilzie for which it was allowed to retain the name as an honour title. Designated the 12th Pioneers in 1903, the unit remained a single battalion regiment until June 1917, when  a second battalion was raised at Lahore Cantonnment, Punjab, India (now in Pakistan)

At the time of the compilation of the Quarterly Indian Army List, April 1920, the 2nd Battalion 12th Pioneers, is shown located with the 'Field Army' (on active service in Mesopotamia) and it's Indian ranks comprised of three classes, vis;

- 2 x Companies Jats
- 1 x Company Sikhs
- 1 x Company Hazaras

The 12th Pioneers was merged into the 2nd Bombay Pioneers in 1922, becoming 2nd Battalion 2nd Bombay Pioneers. The descendent regiment was subsequently re-styled as the Corps of Bombay Pioneers which corps was finally disbanded in 1929

Condition: VF

Code: 26156