Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Waziristan casualty’s India General Service Medal awarded to Captain R. H. Wilson, 2-9 Gurkha Rifles, who was killed in action at Makin in March 1920

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Capt. R. H. Wilson, 2-9 G.R.), good very fine £300-400

Robert Hamilton Birch Wilson was born in 1895, the son of Frederick James Wilson, C.I.E., late Civil Engineer, India, and his wife Mary Phoebe Wilson, who resided in Sidmouth, Devon.

Appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the 114th Mahrattas in October 1914, young Robert transferred in the rank of Lieutenant to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles in November 1916, and witnessed active service in Mesopotamia, where he gained a mention in despatches and entitlement to the British War & Victory Medals.

He was subsequently present in operations in Afghanistan and Mahsud 1919-20, and was serving as a Captain and Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at the time of his death in action at Makin, Waziristan on 1 March 1920 (Medal & 3 clasps). Wilson, who was aged 24 years, was buried in Jandola Cemetery, and is also commemorated on the Delhi Memorial.