A rare Indian Order of Merit for the Tibet Campaign awarded to Havildar Sharif, 40th Pathans, for gallantry at Niani in June 1904

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type, 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse with screw-nut fitting and officially inscribed on three lines ‘3rd Class Order of Merit’, complete with ribbon buckle, enamel damage; Tibet 1903-04, no clasp, silver issue (1352 Havdr. Sharif, 40th Pathans) good fine (2) £2000-2500

Order of Merit (3rd Class) GGO 1143 of 1904: ‘No. 1352 Havildar Sharif, 40th Pathans, was admitted to the 3rd Class, for conspicuous gallantry in the attack on the fortified post at Niani, Tibet, on the 26th June 1904, when he, at the imminent risk of his life, entered a dark room alone to dislodge a party of the enemy who were occupying it and who fired at him at close range.’

Lance-Naik Payao, of the same regiment, was also admitted to the 3rd Class for services on the same occasion. Havildar Sharif is probably entitled to the clasp for ‘Gyantse’.