A ‘N.W. Frontier 1908’ I.D.S.M. awarded to Subadar-Major Bahadur Khan, 33rd Punjabis, killed in action France, 25 September 1915, and awarded a posthumous I.O.M. 2nd Class

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Subdr. Major Bahada[r] Khan, 33d Pjbs.) erasure between the two names, lacking brooch bar, very fine £800-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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Subadar-Major Bahadur Khan, 33rd Punjabis, awarded the I.D.S.M. for service on the N.W. Frontier of India (G.G.O. No. 527 of 1908).

Awarded the I.O.M. 2nd Class (Posthumous) for ‘gallantry and devotion to duty in the field’ in France (G.G.O. No. 849 of 1916). The regimental history by Lawford & Catto, p. 58, implies that this was an award for the first day of the battle of Loos, 25 September 1915. “E” Company under Major Kelly and Subadar Major Bahadur Khan advanced under very heavy fire against German lines near Mauquissart and both were killed. This was the regiment’s first major action in France.

Subadar-Major Bahadur Khan was killed in action in France on 25 September 1915, the first day of the battle of Loos, where the regiment lost 262 men. His name is commemorated on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial. He was the son of Allah Bakhsh, of Sahuwal, Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum, Punjab.