Orders, Decorations and Medals

An India and China campaign service group of four awarded to Subadar Fateh Jang, I.D.S.M., 57th Wilde’s Rifles (formerly the 4th Punjabis), who died of wounds on 27 April 1915, immediately following his regiment’s gallant attack at Ypres in which Jemadar Mir Dast won the V.C.

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-95 (1260 Sepoy, 4th Punjab Infy.); China 1900, no clasp (1260 Havr., 4th Pjb. Infy.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Jemdr., 57th Rifles); Delhi Durbar 1911, engraved naming, ‘Subadar Fateh-Jang, 57th Rifles’, the first two with light contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine, the others very fine and better (4) £400-500

Fateh Jang, a native of Mator village, Kahuta, Rawalpindi, joined the 4th Punjabis (afterwards 57th Wilde’s Rifles) in September 1890. His subsequent career on the North West Frontier and in China - and entitlement to the above described campaign awards & clasps - is confirmed by contemporary Indian Army Lists, and he was appointed a Subadar in Wilde’s Rifles in the year following his participation in the engagement at Kargha on 24 May 1908. For his services in the Great War, in addition to the usual campaign awards, Fateh Jang also added the Indian Distinguished Service Medal (I.D.S.M.) to his accolades (G.G.O. 356 of 1915 refers).

Of the action in which he was mortally wounded on 26 April 1915, there are many detailed descriptions, not least because of the chaos and casualties caused by ‘a perfect hail of fire’ and chlorine gas attack - the regiment started the day with 20 officers (eight British and 12 Indian) and 560 other ranks, but by evening numbered only three British and three Indian officers and 216 other ranks. Among the three Indian officers to survive was Jemadar Mir Dast, who was awarded the V.C. for rallying his men and leading them back into the attack - and for bringing back no less than eight wounded British and Indian officers on being ordered to retire. Fateh Jang, who may well have been among the latter, sadly died of his wounds on the following day. He is buried in the Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.