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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 160

Four: Major C. F. M. Birch, 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) & 4th Gurkha Rifles

1914-15 Star (Capt. C. F. M. Birch. 2/1/Gurkha Rfls.); British War and Victory Medals (Maj. C. F. M. Birch.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Major C. F. M. Birch. 2-1 Grks.), mounted court-style as worn, very fine (4)

Purchased January 1995.

For the operations against the Swatis with the Malakand Moveable Column on the North West Frontier in 1915, the unit was the only Gurkha Battalion to earn a 1914-15 Star in this Theatre of War.

Colvin Frederic Montagu Birch was born on 3 November 1884 and was educated at the United Services College from 1896 and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst between 1902-03. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in November 1903 to the Wiltshire Regiment, he joined the 2nd Battalion, 1st Gorkha Rifles at Dharmsala in July 1905.

The Battalion at that time was recovering from an earthquake in April 1905 that had inflicted heavy loss of life and property. During the next six years, the unit remained at Dharmsala and its routine revolved around annual training, manoeuvres, inspections and rebuilding the lines destroyed by the earthquake. It also took part in the Coronation Durbar at Delhi in 1911. Between 1912-15, Birch served as Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion.

In 1913, the 2nd Battalion moved to Chitral for a tour of Garrison duty where it was stationed on the outbreak of the First World War. The Battalion was relieved at Chitral in July 1915 and joined the Malakand Moveable Column for operations against the Swatis during August-September 1915. At the end of September 1915, the Battalion was assigned to the 1st Peshawar Division and for the next month took part in operations against the Mohmands. The Battalion finally returned to Dharmsala on Christmas Day 1915. In September 1916, Birch was posted to Wellington Cadet College in Southern India as a Company Commander. By the close of 1917, having been advanced Captain, Birch was posted to the newly raised 3rd Battalion and appointed Left Wing Commander. He accompanied the Battalion to Fort Sandeman on the Baluchistan border with Afghanistan in March 1918, where it was employed in the construction of defences, convoy escorts and outpost duties. In September 1918, the Battalion was reorganised on a Company basis and Birch was appointed one of the four Company Commanders. He was promoted Major in 1918.

In 1918, he was appointed Brigade Major to the Jhansi Brigade and subsequently Brigade Major of the 1st Infantry Brigade, to include service in the Third Afghan War.

Made Commandant of the Small Arms School, Rawalpindi between 1922-25, Birch was posted as Second in Command of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Gurkhas in April 1925. He died in post on 8 May 1927, aged 42 years; sold together with a good file of copied research.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240