Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare North West Frontier ‘Crowned Head’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal Peter Anderson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Military Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (2978470 L-Cpl., 2-A. & S.H.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Pte., A. & S.H.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine and better (6) £3500-4000

M.M. London Gazette 13 August 1937.

In 1937 the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was ordered to Waziristan ‘due to unrest promoted by the Fakir of Ipi.’ This was in the same area of the river Tochi where the battalion had served in 1897. During March and April, the battalion was constantly on the move and was frequently sniped at while on the road and manning piquets. On 22 May the battalion was ordered to establish a new piquet about 1,400 yards away from the main camp on the ridge from which much of the enemy’s fire into the main camp had taken place. There were already two piquets in the vicinity of this ridge, but the scrub made it difficult for the garrison to prevent small numbers of tribesmen from creeping up unseen and causing a nuisance to the main camp.

Troops from the 2nd Battalion moved off early on the morning of 22nd May to construct the new piquet. A covering party occupied a small ridge about 150 yards to the west, these, in their turn, being supported by a platoon of machine-gunners from a position close to which the new piquet was to be constructed. Throughout the morning the covering troops saw no sign of the enemy, but it is evident that the tribesmen, dressed in khaki and making full use of all available cover, had stealthily approached to within close range. As soon as the piquet had been completed and a garrison established in it, the working party proceeded to camp and then the withdrawal of the covering troops began.

The moment the movement started, the enemy opened heavy and accurate fire against both the piquets and the covering troops and inflicted several casualties. It is probable, from the intensity of the firing and the actual numbers seen from time to time, that there were between 70 and 80 tribesmen in the attack. Heavily outnumbered and in circumstances of extreme difficulty, being fired at from the front and both flanks, the troops steadfastly maintained their position until relieved by a well executed counter attack launched from the main camp. The enemy were driven back and our casualties, which totalled two other ranks killed and one officer and ten other ranks wounded, were brought into camp. It is known that at least 11 of the enemy were killed and an unknown number wounded in this short but severe engagement.

Throughout the encounter the leadership of the junior commanders and the example set by them was of a very high order and many acts of gallantry were displayed by all ranks. With the final withdrawal of the troops to camp silence settled over the area and a night free from sniping ensued. The following men of the 2nd Battalion received the Immediate award of the Military Medal for gallantry during the fight: L/Cpl. P. Anderson, “C” Coy; L/Cpl. G. Maxwell, “B” Coy, and Pte. P. Callaghan, H.Q. Coy.