Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Tirah D.C.M. group of five awarded to Colour Sergeant T. Cross, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, severely wounded on the march to Barkai, 11 December 1897

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (C. Sgt. T. Cross. K:O:S: B’drs.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Gemaizah 1888 (1450. Corpl. D. Cross. 2/K.O. Sco: Bord.); India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Tirah 1897-98, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (1450 Color Sergt. T. Cross 2nd. Bn. K.O. Sco: Bord.) suspension claw re-pinned, with top lugs neatly added to first clasp and unofficial top retaining bar; Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (C. Serjt. T. Cross. K.O.S.B.); Khedive’s Star, undated, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display purposes, minor contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise about very fine (5) £4600-5000

Provenance: Christie’s, July 1983; Glendining’s, March 1990; BDW, July 1993.

D.C.M. submitted to the Queen 9 July 1898 (Army Order 135 of 1898).

T. Cross served with the Scottish Borderers at both Gemaizah and on the North West Frontier of India, where the Regiment, as part of the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Tirah Expeditionary Force was in action no fewer than 23 times, including the capture of the Dargai Heights, in the Sampazh and Arhanza Passes, the Tirah and Bara Valleys, and at Bagh and the Shinkanar Pass, and also in many rearguard engagements. 7 men of the regiment were killed during the operations, and 3 Officers and 36 men were wounded, including Cross, who was severely wounded during the march to Barkai on 11 December 1897, and he was subsequently discharged in consequence of his wounds after 14 years’ service.

This campaign was only the second occasion in the Regiment’s history when the Distinguished Conduct Medal was granted, the first having been the Second Afghan War seventeen years earlier. Six D.C.M.s were awarded to the Regiment for the Tirah Campaign, including that to Cross, who subsequently received the Meritorious Service Medal, together with an annuity of £10, on 1 April 1904.