Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An O.B.I. 2nd Class group of eight awarded to Subadar-Major Bahadur Makhmud Shah, 10th Baluch Regiment, late 130th Baluchis

Order of British India, 2nd Class neck badge, gold and enamel, unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (2394 Nk Mahmud Shah, 130 Baluchis); India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935, M.I.D. oak leaf (3607 Havr. Makhmud Shah, 5-10 Baluch.), 2nd, 3rd & 4th clasps attached by wire; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War and India Service Medals, these unnamed, note variation in name, medals mounted court style for wear, some edge bruising; first three medals worn through polishing, O.B.I. and other medals very fine and better (8) £900-1000

Makhmud Shah joined the Indian Army on 21 June 1917. Posted to the 130th Baluch Regiment, he served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and in Palestine during the Great War. In 1921 the Indian Army was reorganised and the 130th Baluchis became the 5/10th Baluch Regiment. Shah served with them as a Havildar on the N.W. Frontier, gaining the I.G.S. Medal 1908 with four clasps spanning the period 1921-35. He was commissioned a Jemadar on 1 October 1933 and was mentioned in despatches, for action on the N.W. Frontier in 1935 (Notification No. 310 of 1936; London Gazette 8 May 1936)

‘For distinguished services rendered in connection with the Mohmand operations, North West Frontier of India, Loe-Agra operations, on the North West Frontier of India, 15th/16th August to 15th/16th October 1935’.

He was promoted to Subadar in March 1940. Shah received the Order of British India 2nd Class c. 1942/43. The 5/10th Baluchis fought in Burma, November 1944-July 1945. On 15 May 1943, Shah was promoted to War Substantive Subadar-Major; the rank being made permanent on 15 May 1945. Some time prior to April 1945, Shah was detached from his battalion and 'attached to an Indian Division' as staff. The last Indian Army List of 1945 shows him still with the 10th Baluch Regiment, with the title of ‘Bahadur’ and the post-nominal ‘O.B.I.’ With copied research.