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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 195A

(x) The Indian Order of Merit awarded to Sepoy Awi Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles, for gallantry at the firing of the Gun Tower during the Defence of Chitral 1895

Indian Order of Merit, 3rd Class, the reverse officially engraved '3rd Class Order of Merit' and additionally named 'Sepoy Awi Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles, Chitral 1895', fitted with silver ribbon buckle, two chips to blue enamel, otherwise very fine

Awi Singh was awarded a 3rd Class Indian Order of Merit with effect from 7 April 1895. (G.G.O. No. 744 of 1895).

Captain C.V.F. Townsend, Commandant of the Fort during the siege, notes in his official despatch:

'Subadar Badri Nar Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles, has shown great bravery in the tower, going into the Machicoulis gallery when it was being ripped up with bullets; as did also Sepoy Awi Singh, of the 4th Kashmir Rifles, who was badly wounded - Snider bullet through the thigh. The British Agent asked me to recommend these two men for the Order of Merit, and also Sepoy Bola Singh, of the 14th Sikhs, also wounded in the tower.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£3,800

Starting price
£800