Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Waziristan 1923 operations M.C. group of six awarded to Brigadier A. E. Clarke, Indian Army, who was serving in the 2-18th Garhwal Rifles at the time of winning winning his decoration

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with (gilded) clasp (Lt. A. E. Clarke, 2/39/Garhl. Rfls.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. E. Clarke); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Capt. A. E. Clarke, 2-18 R. Garh. Rif.); Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, the earlier awards somewhat polished, otherwise generally very fine (6) £1600-1800

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

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Just five M.Cs were gazetted in 1924 for the Waziristan operations - British Gallantry Awards, by Abbott & Tamplin, refers.

M.C. London Gazette 30 May 1924:

‘For distinguished service rendered in the Field in connection with military operations in Waziristan, January 1922 to April 1923.’

Arthur Emlyn Clarke, who was born in Wimbledon, London in September 1892, was commissioned on the Unattached List in January 1912, and gained an appointment in the 2nd Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles in March 1913.

Embarked for France as a Lieutenant in October 1914, he remained on active service there until November 1915, in which period he witnessed bitter fighting at Festubert, Loos and Neuve Chapelle - Rifleman Gobar Sing Negi of the 2nd Battalion winning a posthumous V.C. at the latter place on 10 March 1915. Embarked for the Egyptian theatre of war in late 1915, Clarke served there until February 1916, and was advanced to Captain prior to returning to India.

The action for which he won his M.C. in the Waziristan operations - at Tora Tizha (Makin) on 10 February 1923 - is described in the Historical Record of the Royal Garhwal Rifles, by Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Deedes, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.:

‘The following day, the 9th Brigade, with two battalions of the 7th Brigade, went out to destroy Tora Tizha village, the Battalion being in Brigade Reserve. After advancing up the Dilkai Algad, the Battalion was ordered to send two companies to assist in the destruction of the village and one company to Dinaur Rigbt. A and C Companies, under Captain A. E. Clarke, were detailed for the former ... On reaching Tora Tizha, A and C Companies were ordered to destroy the terraces of fields on the right bank of the Dinaur Algad and Captain Clarke disposed his force to cover this work. All the remaining men were employed on the work of destruction. Sniping from the slopes, west of the village, increased in intensity until about 1 p.m., when it became so heavy that the remaining two platoons of A Company, who had finished their work, took up position at ‘W’. When all the work was completed, arrangements were made to retire down the nala to position ‘X’, already held by two platoons of C Company and the Lewis gun detachment of the Pioneers withdrew. Some fifteen Mahsuds now appeared at point ‘Y’, with evident intention of charging, but were wiped out by Lewis gun fire and rifle bombs. A second party of enemy then appeared just above the north-west of the first and met a similar fate. Meanwhile, very heavy fire was coming from three sides on to the forward platoons of A Company. The withdrawal started at 1.20 p.m., the Platoon at ‘T’ retiring first, and as the Platoon at ‘W’ began to move back, another party of Mahsuds came around the spur at ‘T’, but did not press home their attack. Unfortunately, Subedar Jaman Bisht, I.O.M., and Havildar Khem Sing Mahar of the same platoon, had both been killed, as the move back started. The withdrawal was, therefore, halted to recover their bodies, and two platoons of C Company were sent up to ‘R’ to cover a counter-attack and the firing of Tora Tizha by the Sappers. The enemy fire was now very heavy and the position, where the bodies were lying, was exposed, so Captain Clarke decided that further attempts at their recovery would only lead to useless loss of life. As soon, therefore, as the village had been fired, he ordered the withdrawal to commence, and this was carried out without further casualties ... Captain Clarke was awarded the M.C. for his able conduct in this action.’

Advanced to Major in January 1929, Clarke witnessed further active service as a Company Commander in the 18th Garhwal Rifles on the North West Frontier in the following year, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1936, just prior to taking command of the 10th Battalion of his regiment. Having then been placed on the Retired List in July 1940, he is believed to have been recalled in the rank of Brigadier in the following year, and thence placed back on the Retired List in April 1946.