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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 289

A 1918 Egypt operations I.D.S.M. awarded to Naik Man Singh Rana, 1st Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (4138 Lce.-Naik Man Singh Rana. 1st Bn. 8th Gurkha Rfls.), with integral top riband bar, contact marks, very fine

Approximately 8 awards to the 1st Battalion for their actions in Egypt during the Great War.

I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 2536 of 1918.

On the outbreak of the Great War, the 1st Battalion remained in India providing reinforcements principally to its 2nd Battalion in France. In March 1916, the 1st Battalion embarked for Mesopotamia, where it served until the end of 1917 before being re-deployed to Palestine. In April 1918, it occupied trenches to the north of Jaffa, where it undertook routine patrolling in 'No Man's Land' and the Regimental History records:

'On 13th April, 1918, a patrol of one British officer and two Gurkha other ranks went out on a daylight reconnaissance. Unexpectedly attacked by a Turkish patrol some seventeen strong, the British officer (Captain A.M. Kennedy) was dangerously wounded and in great danger of being captured. One Gurkha other rank (Lance Naik Mansing Rana) ordered his companion to return and report what had happened, and, lying down beside his wounded officer, kept the enemy off by accurate rifle fire. A rescue party under Major R. P. St V. Bernard brought in Captain Kennedy and Mansing, who received the I.D.S.M. for his gallantry.'


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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£320