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Auction: 9033 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 204

India General Service 1908-35, G.V.R., two clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (7808665 Pte. A.N. Showell, M.G.C.), edge bruising, nearly very fine Estimate £ 100-150 7808665 Private Archibald Neil Showell, served with 7 Armoured Motor Battery, Machine Gun Corps in Waziristan 1919-21; transferred and served with 10 Armoured Car Company, Tank Corps in Waziristan 1921-24; transferred to "A" Army Reserve 16/02/1926. 7 Armoured Motor Battery was formed Dera Ismail Khan in July 1915 with Indian crews and served in India with Derajat Brigade. Took part in operation on the North West Frontier with 10 Armoured Motor Brigade during the Third Afghan War. Their cars were transferred to 10 Armoured Car Company, Tank Corps in October 1921. Armoured Motor Units began to form in Spring of 1915 utilising vehicles donated by rich Indians and Europeans. This was overseen by Colonel Lord Montagu (Inspector of Motor Vehicles, India and later Brigadier General, Advisor on Mechanical Transport Services, India). Only No 1 AMU had reliable vehicles - three Rolls Royces which, like the other cars were armour-plated by Indian Railway Workshops, and this unit acted as a Brigade HQ for Nos 1, 2 & 3 AMUs. Most of the other vehicles were unsuitable and it was not until 1918 that improved cars were made available. The Units were re-designated Armoured Motor Batteries in 1917 and during this period, British and Indian crews were gradually replaced by MGC personnel. The British crews had originally been provided by Territorials from garrisons in India. By 1919, Nos 2 & 3 Armoured Motor Brigades were formed from Nos 4 - 12 AMBs, whilst Nos 13 - 16 AMBs remained un-brigaded. At the commencement of the 3rd Afghan War, No 1 Armoured Motor Brigade was reorganised into five Regular and three Auxiliary AMBs which served in the Khyber and Chitral areas. HQ No 10 Armored Motor Brigade, formed in the UK, commanded Nos 5, 6, 7 & 16 AMBs and operated in Waziristan and Mahsud.

Sold for
£90