Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare group of three awarded to Subadar Rup Singh, Queen’s Own Corps of Guides, late 5th Goorkhas, who was promoted for gallantry in the field at Delhi and killed in action on the Asmai Heights, Kabul, in December 1879

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Havildar Roop Singh Poonan 5th Goorkha Regt.) claw tightened; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Naick Roop Sing Corps of “Guides”); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ali Musjid, Kabul (Subr. Rup Singh Corps of Guides Infy.) some clasps slightly bent, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise generally very fine or better (3) £2000-3000

Rup Singh was a Garhwali who enlisted into the 5th Goorkha Regiment on 9 March 1851. He was promoted to Naik for gallantry at Delhi, 1 July 1857; Havildar, 1 December 1857; Jemadar, 2 May 1867; Subadar, 1 May 1870.

Of the qualities of the Garhwali as a fighting man, Major Sym, officiating 2nd in command, 5th Goorkha Regiment, wrote in 1880: ‘The Gurhwali is a far better man than the Kumaoni in every way, and I don’t think that the later class as a rule is worth enlisting. We have now four Gurhwali native officers, and three of these are about the best we have. Some years ago, Subadar Roop Sing was transferred from our regiment to the Guides. He was also a Gurhwali, and if he had lived, he would have been made a Subadar-Major. Jenkins considered him to be the best native officer they had ever had; but he was killed last December in the attack on the Koh Asmai.’

Subadar 1st Class Rup Singh, senior Indian officer of the Gurkha Company of the Guides Infantry was killed leading his company at the Asmai Heights, north of Kabul, on 14 December 1879.

‘On the morning of the 14th December the Guides Infantry were again attached to Brigadier-General Baker’s Brigade and engaged in storming the Asmai heights. The advance column, consisting of 72nd Highlanders, detachment 92nd Highlanders, and Guides Infantry, was under the orders of Colonel Jenkins, C.B. [Guides]

After crossing some deep ditches and marshy ground, under fire of the enemy, a conical hill west of the Asmai heights was taken possession of. Colonel Jenkins was ordered to leave a sufficient force to hold this and then proceed with the remainder to storm the enemy’s main position on the Asmai heights. Accordingly A Company, under Subadar Gulabu, was left at this point, with a company of 72nd Highlanders.

The first position held by the enemy was a very strong one, and the enemy fought very determinedly. The Guides, working round on the right, the position was eventually taken by a simultaneous rush of the Highlanders and the Guides, the enemy being driven out with severe loss.

Captain F. G. Battye was here dangerously wounded while gallantly leading a party of the Guides. Shortly after Subadar Rup Singh (Gurkha) was killed and Subadar Jowalla Singh (Sikh) dangerously wounded. The enemy were pursued and driven along the Asmai heights, towards the Kabul city, and suffered severely, at the same time they inflicted heavy loss on the pursuers.’ (Ref: Historical Records of the Queen’s Own Corps of Guides).

Sold with research including copied record of service which confirms medal and clasps and additional entitlement to the clasp for Jowaki 1877-78.