Auction Catalogue

16 April 2020

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 638

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16 April 2020

Hammer Price:
£480

The I.G.S. 1895-1902 awarded to Lieutenant Colonel A. Moore [C.M.G.], 66th Punjabis, late 6th Madras Infantry, who was taken prisoner of war at Kut-al-Amara, and whose services during the defence were recognised with the bestowal of the C.M.G. and being Mentioned in Despatches

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Lieut. A. Moore. 6th Madras Infy.) minor edge nicks, good very fine £400-£500

C.M.G. London Gazette 23 October 1919:

‘For services rendered in connection with the defence of Kut-al-Amarah.’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 13 July 1916 and 19 October 1916 (Defence of Kut-al-Amarah).

Alexander Moore was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers in July 1889. He advanced to Lieutenant in September 1890, and transferred to the Staff Corps, Indian Army in April the following year. Later that month he was appointed a Wing Officer with the 6th Madras Infantry, and served as Adjutant from November 1894.

After a furlough, Moore was appointed Assistant Commandant Lushi Hill Military Police Battalion in June 1898. He advanced to Captain in July 1900, and returned to his parent unit in August of the same year. Moore transferred as Double Company Commander to the 66th Punjabis in June 1902, and advanced to Major in July 1907. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and 2nd in Command in July 1915, and served with the Regiment in the Mespotamian theatre of war.

In October 1915, the 66th Punjabis joined Major General Charles Townshend's 6th Indian Division in its advance towards Baghdad. It fought in the Battle of Ctesiphon and then retired towards Kut-al-Amara, where it was besieged by the Turks with the rest of the 6th Division. The regiment resolutely resisted all Turkish attempts to overwhelm the defences of Kut-al-Amara for 150 days, but after the failure of the British to relieve them, the starving garrison of Kut was forced to surrender on 29 April 1916. The 66th Punjabis, including Moore, became prisoners of war and suffered terrible privations during their long captivity. Out of the 538 officers and men present in the regiment on 14 March, only about a quarter returned home after the war.

Moore was repatriated, 10 January 1919, and bestowed with the C.M.G. for his services during the Defence of Kut-al-Amara.