Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Mahsud 1919’ operations M.C. group of four awarded to Captain A. G. A. Barton, 34th Sikh Pioneers, late South Staffordshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Captain A. G. A. Barton Waziristan 1920’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. G. A. Barton); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Mahsud 1919-20 (A-Captain A. G. A. Barton, 3-34 Prs.) edge nick to the second, otherwise good very fine (4) £2000-2400

M.C. London Gazette 27 September 1920: ‘For distinguished service in the Field with the Waziristan Force, India - Capt. Aubrey George Albert Barton, 3/34th Sikh Pnrs., Ind. Army.’

‘For gallantry and skilful leading in Palosina on 19 December 1919, when, after the force had retired from Mandanna Hill, he led a volunteer party across the river in the face of enemy opposition and brought in two wounded combatants. Again, on 9 January 1920, he showed great determination and blew up two towers under heavy fire.’

In his article, Nothing Much - Just Some Sniping (Hayward’s Gazette, 1974), Robert Gould describes the advance of the Derajat Column up the valley of the Tank Zam River to Palosina Plateau, and its mixed fortunes in subsequent operations against Mahsud hill tribesmen, the whole incorporating a classic episode of combat on the North West Frontier. Throughout this harrowing period Captain Barton and the 34th Sikh Pioneers were continuously engaged, Gould making special reference to their fine work in constructing a defence post on a hill at Taraki on 21 December 1919, a task that was still in progress when the Mahsuds arrived:

‘Protected by infantry, the 3/34th Sikh Pioneers began constructing the post. The barbed wire entanglement was almost finished when large parties of Mahsuds were seen moving into the area. Shortly afterwards Taraki was subjected to heavy and, as always, accurate small arms fire. By 1.30 p.m. sniping at shortening ranges had increased and work on the post was at a standstill. This was followed by a sudden converging rush of heavily armed tribesmen from three directions. The troops covering the working parties on the right gave ground, this exposing a flank of the centre which followed suit. This in turn led to a retreat on the left. Fortunately the Sikh Pioneers manned the half finished post and then beat off four consecutive attacks. Bu this time the Pioneers had used all their grenades and were running short of rifle ammunition. As the Mahsuds gathered for the fifth assault, the garrison of the post withdrew in good order towards camp. The enemy on the ridge, about 800 strong, now offered an excellent artillery target. Gun and howitzer crews from the river bed made the most of this rare opportunity and succeeded in inflicting heavy casualties. The infantry rallied, were reinforced and counter-attacked but failed to recover the post in the face of accurate fire from well-concealed Mahsuds. As dusk was falling, the troops were withdrawn. Their casualties amounted to 66 killed or missing and 265 wounded. Enemy losses were later creditably reported to have exceeded 200 killed and 300 severely wounded.’

The following day the position was recaptured and christened “Pioneer Picquet” as a tribute to the bravery of the Sikhs, the fortifications having been completed by nightfall. With momentum all important in such operations, the Derajat Column continued on its way. Rarely left unmolested, and frequently pitched against well-defended posts, casualties amassed at a worrying rate. At Scrub’s Hill on 2 January 1920, Lieutenant Kenny won the Victoria Cross for his gallant stand in the rearguard of the retreating assault force. The Hill was taken a few days later and, on 7 January, the Sikh Pioneers found themselves embroiled in the attempt to seize the Ahnai Tangi, a difficult gorge through which flowed the Tank Zam River. Gould describes this natural fortress thus:

‘Although only 30 yards wide, the sides are formed of precipitous cliffs some 150 feet high, In addition, the ground on the downstream side is commanded from both banks by high, craggy cliffs. Upstream, all approaches are dominated by the Spin Chara Ridge which rises to a height of 700 feet above the valley floor. Between the steep slope of that ridge and the Tank Zam lies a small plateau interlaced by numerous steep ravines. This can only be crossed in a few places and then by troops moving in single file. They would have been even more thoughtful had they known that the Mahsud Lashkar massing at the defile now numbered between 3,000 and 2,500.’

Thus opposed, British and Indian troops faced a three day onslaught, and 170 officers and men became casualties in the last 48 hours. On 9 January Barton distinguished himself in pulling out his company from a difficult position, presumably as a result of these operations. Finally, as a result of of a hazardous but well planned night march and assault, both banks were consolidated and on 14 January the defile was traversed by the entire Striking Force.

Thereafter, the Column had to fight its way through another series of natural obstacles against an enemy whose numbers had swollen to nearer 4,000. One such obstacle was “Flathead Left” which cost the Gurkhas some 450 casualties, close quarter fighting often involving the bayonet, knives and even stones. At length, however, the Derajat Column got through, having been four months at the mercy of a ruthless and cunning enemy whose tactical appreciation of the terrain and marksmanship had resulted in a total of 2,286 killed, missing, or wounded, including 69 British officers. As Kipling would be quick to observe, those men posted “missing” most likely faced death by mutilation.