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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 228

Five: Rab Emma Y. Hassado, Royal Air Force Levies, Assyrian Battalion, who was Mentioned in Despatches in June 1944

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Kurdistan (55002 S. Mjr. Yokhana Hassado. Assyrian Bn.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Air Force Levies, Iraq L.S. & G.C. (X.16 R.E. Youkhana Hassado.); Iraq, Kingdom, Active Service Medal, by Huguenin, Suisse, maker's mark to reverse suspension bar, unnamed as issued, mounted together as worn, some edge bruising and minor edge knocks throughout, light contact wear, overall very fine (5)

Yokhana/Youkhana Hassado was a locally commissioned officer, demonstrated by the prefix, who served in the Assyrian Battalion of the R.A.F. Levies and attained the rank of Rab Emma, meaning that he was in command of 100 men. Hassado appeared in the London Gazette on 4 June 1944 for being Mentioned in Despatches; sold together with copied M.I.C. and London Gazette entry.

The Iraq Levies originated in 1915 as a bodyguard for political officers and was formally constituted in 1919, later coming under R.A.F. control in October 1922. They were raised to assist the R.A.F., and were for most purposes considered to be a part of the R.A.F., although they were commanded by army officers in the main. By 1939 the Iraq Levies consisted of Force Headquarters and six companies at Habbaniyah and one company at Shaibah. During the Second World War, the Iraq Levies remained loyal during the Rashid Ali Revolt of May 1941 and by 1944 they numbered over 10,000 men for the defence for R.A.F. airfields in Iraq. In 1943 this force became the Royal Air Force Levies (Iraq) and continued until disbanded in 1955 when British forces withdrew from Iraq.

Eligibility for the award was the completion of 18 years qualifying service with the proviso that conduct during the last 12 years had been continuously exemplary. A bar denoting a further 18 years of service was also instituted but was never issued. The first awards noted were on 23 December 1952, though it is believed that some might have been awarded earlier, and the last awards noted were on 4 July 1955. The number of medals issued were as follows: locally commissioned Officers 116, with 2 later forfeited; other ranks 193, with 5 later forfeited.

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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,600

Starting price
£950