A Second World War ‘Italian East Africa’ Immediate I.D.S.M. awarded to Subedar Nawab Khan, 4-10th Baluchi Regiment

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Subdr. Nawab Khan, 4-10 Baluch R.) complete with top suspension brooch, this lacking reverse pin, otherwise extremely fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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I.D.S.M. London Gazette 18 July 1941. The original recommendation for the award of the I.O.M. 1st Class, reduced to an I.O.M. 2nd Class and finally to an Immediate I.D.S.M., states:

‘On Five Tebeldi Ridge on 30th January 1941, when 90 men of 4 Baluch were in a temporary defensive position were twice heavily attacked by greatly superior forces, Subedar Nawab Khan displayed great qualities of leadership and personal courage. He personally led two local counter-attacks, and when driven back by heavy fire organised defensive positions and throughout the night maintained those positions and beat off heavy enemy attacks. During the whole of this operation Subedar Nawab Khan displayed a complete disregard of personal safety and a degree of leadership which cannot be over-emphasised.’

Nawab Khan subsequently became Subedar Major and was awarded the Order of British India on 1 January 1946.