A Tirah expedition Indian Order of Merit pair awarded to Lance Havildar Kesar Singh, 30th Punjab Infantry

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type, 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse inscribed on three lines ‘3rd / Class / Order of Merit’, lacking ribbon buckle, reverse screw nut replaced with brass fitting; India General Service 1895-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (2248 Naick Kesar Singh, 30th Punjab Infantry) the first with enamel restoration, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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Order of Merit, 3rd Class, G.G.O. 430 of 1898: No. 2248 Lance Havildar Kesar Singh, 30th (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Infantry:-

‘Shabkadr, 1897. For conspicuous gallantry in action in the Khaibar Pass, on the 16th January 1898, in having bravely, under a heavy fire, led the advance guard of a picquet against a superior force of the enemy.’

This smart little action is described in “Solah Punjab”, History of the 16th Punjab Regiment: ‘On the 16th January a picquet of 2 N.C.O’s and 18 men of the 30th Punjabis, moving out to take up a position, found it held by 40 to 50 Afridis who opened up a heavy fire on the forward section commanded by L/Havildar Kesar Singh. One man was killed and two wounded, while Kesar Singh himself was grazed by three bullets. In spite of the superior strength of the opposition, the picquet succeeded in putting the Afridis to flight and occupying the position. L/Havildar Kesar Singh was awarded the I.O.M. 3rd Class for his gallantry.’