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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 236

Royal Air Force Levies, Iraq L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (5675 Sgt. Hassan Jabar.), minor contact marks, very fine and scarce

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. Despite the apparent high numbers issued, only a small handful of medals are known to exist today.

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Sold for
£2,400

Starting price
£600