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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 207

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp (2), Waziristan 1919-21 (959 Rfmn. Harakbahadur Thapa, 1-9 G.R.); North West Frontier 1930-31 (105 Nk. Puransing Gurung, 1-1 G.R. very fine

The 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles moved to Waziristan at the beginning of December 1921 where it joined the 7th Brigade. It was initially stationed at Datta Khel and employed in rebuilding the militia post, convoy protection and picquet duty. In March 1922, the Battalion redeployed with 7th Brigade, to Dardoni (alongside the Miranshah post). Here it carried out routine training, convoy protection and picquet duty. In January 1923 they took part in the operation to establish a permanent camp on the Razmak plateau. The final advance onto and the occupation of the Razmak Plateau was undertaken during a blinding snowstorm and as a consequence met with only slight resistance from dissident tribesmen. Punitive operations were now undertaken to punish the Mahsuds for their continued hostility. 7th Brigade became part of the column formed to destroy selected villages in the offending Makin region. These operations, which included the demolition of villages of offending tribesmen, continued until March 1923, when peace terms were agreed with the local Mahsuds. The Battalion, with 7th Brigade, returned to occupy the new campsite on Razmak and spent the remainder of its frontier tour, until January 1924, providing fatigues and working parties for the construction of a pipeline to the campsite, convoy escorts and picquet duties. Casualties for the Battalion's two year tour in Waziristan were one Gurkha officer and 11 other ranks killed and 26 other ranks wounded in action.

The 1st Battalion, 1st (King George's Own) Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) deployed to Peshawar in February 1931 at a time when the Nowshera and 2nd Infantry Brigades occupied posts near the foothills of the plains to cover the completion of a network of motorable roads and enforce a blockade. The construction of permanent camps and posts was also underway from which future garrisons would be able to control the adjacent Plains. The Battalion joined the Nowshera Brigade in its last and biggest night operation in mid-March 1931, where it engaged small parties of enemy tribesmen. Towards the end of March the Nowshera Brigade was withdrawn leaving the unit at Bara Fort. This marked the end of the operational phase although nuisance raids continued. In mid-May, the Battalion moved to Peshawar where it assumed garrison duties until November when it moved back to Bara Fort. The 1st Battalion returned to Dharmsala towards the end of January 1932. This was the only campaign for which the 1st Battalion was awarded the India General Service 1908-35.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£30