Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Subadar Har Chand, 99th Deccan Infantry, Indian Army, who was awarded the Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class, for his gallantry in Mesopotamia during the Iraqi uprising of 1920

British War Medal 1914-20 (Jemdr. Har Chand, 99 Infy); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Jemdr. Harchand) worn, good fine and better (2) £160-200

Har Chand enlisted in the 99th Deccan Infantry on 8 June 1907 and served with them prior to the Great War. During the Great War, he proceeded overseas to Mesopotamia, most likely as a draft to another battalion, where he served from 15 August 1915 until 15 May 1916. He then returned to India, where he re-joined the 99th Deccan Infantry, and served with them in operations against the Mahsuds around Sarwakai on the North West Frontier of India, from 3-23 March 1917. In these operations, the 99th Infantry were praised for their good work by the General Officer Commanding. In early April 1917, the 99th Infantry was at last called for duty overseas, thereafter arriving in Mesopotamia on 8 April 1917. They were soon attached to the Euphrates Defence Force, which was charged with protecting lines-of-communication along the river. On 20 February 1918, Har Chand was commissioned Jemadar. Although not at the frontline against the Turks, the battalion took part in numerous operations against hostile Arabs, including two punitive expeditions from Nasiriyeh in March 1918. In June 1918, the battalion again saw action around hostile Arabs around Rumaithah, while in July, the battalion suffered 19 casualties in a major engagement. Following the conclusion of the Great War, the 99th Infantry remained in Mesopotamia, and subsequently took a very active role in operations during the Iraqi uprising of 1920. During these operations, Har Chand was awarded the Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class, for gallantry in the field (Notification no. 1546 of 29 July 1921). Returning to India, Har Chand continued to serve in the Indian Army, being promoted Subadar on 23 September 1923. Around this time, he left the 99th Deccan Infantry to join the 1st Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (formerly 94th Russell's Infantry), and retired the following year. In addition to his British War Medal and General Service Medal with clasp for Iraq, Har Chand was also entitled to the 2nd Class Indian Order of Merit, the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal, and the India General Service Medal with clasp Waziristan 1921-24.