Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Waziristan 1921’ M.C. pair awarded to Lieutenant G. Pawson, 39th Garhwal Rifles, attached 4th Gurkha Rifles, for gallantry when seriously wounded in command of the rearguard in an action against a party of 100 Mahsuds under the well-known leader Musa Khan

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1919-21 (Lieut. G. Pawson, 1-4 Grks.) the second clasp loose as issued, dark toned, extremely fine (2) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 10 August 1921: 'For distinguished service in the field with the Waziristan Force, India - Lieut. G. Pawson, attd. 4th Gurkha Rif. (with 4-39th Rif.), Indian Army.’

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, on March 24, 1921, near Zuar Killi, when commanding the rear guard of the 4-39th Garhwal Rifles. Though wounded early in the action he carried on for two hours, till again seriously wounded, while crossing open ground under heavy close-range fire, in order to assist two men who had been left behind and were believed to be wounded.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 9 August 1921.

The following extract is taken from The Historical Record of the 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles:

‘On March 24th the Battalion was roughly handled by a party of about 100 Mahsuds, under the well-known leader Musa Khan, whilst engaged in convoy protection duty between Ladha and a point 7 miles distant beyond Piazha Raghza. This section of the road runs along the bed of the River Tank Zam, and is commanded throughout by many vantage points from the heights on both sides. The ground is further broken up by numerous nullahs leading down to the stream, and by thickly-wooded slopes admitting of concealed approach to the banks.

The Battalion, less one company, was under Lieut.-Colonel K. Henderson, D.S.O., but there were present only 285 men, which admitted of eleven day picquets on commanding points on both sides of the valley, and three local reserves with five Lewis guns. There were available, besides, a platoon of the 3/11th Gurkha Rifles (for use close to camp) and, eventually, the “stand-to” company (of that battalion) at brigade headquarters was made use of.

The length of the road protected was, as stated, 7 miles, and as time was a matter of paramount importance, in view of subsequent events, it may be remarked that it took, without interference from any enemy, three and a half hours to picquet this distance.

The convoy, which was of exceptional length (extending to about 2 miles), got through safely to Ladha, but there was some delay owing to sniping by the Mahsuds, and in order to enable the “stand-to” company (which was then called out) to get into position.

The most distant of the Battalion’s picquets (Nos. 11 and 10) were withdrawn without incident on the rearguard (”A” Company), but whilst the latter was halted at 13.15 hours, withdrawing No. 9 picquet of “C” Company, it was heavily fired on from its left front and right rear, and the Mahsuds at once occupied the ground vacated by No. 9 picquet. Several casualties here occurred, but it was, pending concerted measures with the aid of reinforcements, impracticable to remove them, and the company continued its retirement, for about 500 yards, over open and coverless ground, along both sides of the river, with the exception of one platoon, which took up position on the right bank under the company commander (Lieutenant G. Pawson) to cover the removal of the wounded whenever this should become possible. It appears that at about this time Lieutenant Pawson was wounded and the red flag lost [In hill warfare the rearguard commander always carries a red flag for signalling to picquets, to avoid confusion with the ordinary signalling flags which are constantly in use to maintain communication.], and that subsequently this rear party retired on some more of the company who were halted farther back. Here they were joined by Major Goodall (second in command), who had been sent forward from battalion headquarters, and a concentration was affected with other portions of the company on the left bank. From here an endeavour for the recovery of the wounded was organised, and a rush of 200 yards was made to a point of vantage whence they could be more easily reached. The rush was over perfectly open ground, under a heavy fire from the Mahsuds, who had moved down from the heights to close quarters. This move was of no avail. From battalion headquarters Lieut.-Colonel Henderson had seen through glasses the Mahsuds hacking the wounded with axes, and as it was evident that no one could have been left alive he issued peremptory orders for Major Goodall to continue the retirement. There were Mahsuds immediately above him, and he was being fired at from front, right, and rear, and, of course, suffering casualties. The difficulty of removing the wounded who had been left behind again arose. Lieutenant Pawson and some of the men gallantly volunteered, and went back to assist two men who had been left behind and were believed to be wounded. In carrying out this attempt, Lieutenant Pawson was again wounded (on this occasion seriously). For his behaviour in this affair Lieutenant Pawson received the immediate award of the Military Cross.’

Gilbert Pawson was born on 22 May 1899. He was first commissioned on 16 December 1918, and joined the 1st Battalion, 4th Gurkha Rifles. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 16 December 1919, and took part in the Mahsud operations of 1919-20, attached to the 4/39th Garhwalis. He rejoined the 1/4th Gurkhas in Waziristan in 1921 and retired on 3 November 1922. Sold with two original news cuttings and copied extracts from the regimental histories.

There were 80 awards of the Military Cross in 1921, including 23 for Waziristan.