Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Brigadier R. G. Mountain, D.S.O., M.C., 10/10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army, who won the M.C. for gallantry in Mesopotamia in 1918, and the D.S.O. for services in the Mohmand campaign of 1933; he was captured in North Africa in June 1942 when commanding 25th Indian Brigade and was mentioned in despatches for services as a Prisoner of War

British War and Victory Medals Capt. R. G. Mountain.); India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (Capt. R. G. Mountain. 5-10 Baluch. R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Major R. G. Mountain, 10-10 Baluch. R.) very fine or better (4) £600-£800

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 July 1934: ‘For distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with military operations against the Upper Mohmands, period July-October, 1933:- Major Ronald Gervase Mountain, M.C., 5th Battalion (King George’s Own) (Jacob’s Rifles), 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army.’

M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘Lt. (A./Capt.) Ronald Gervase Mountain, 127th Baluchistan Light Infantry, attd. 2/12th Baluchistan Infy. (MESOPOTAMIA)
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in an attack with great courage and dash, though wounded in the leg. Later, in an exposed salient of a captured trench, which was heavily swept by fire from front and flank, he collected five Lewis guns and brought a harassing fire to bear on an enemy strong point, thereby greatly assisting another attack made later in the day.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 July 1934 (Mohmand 1933); 24 January 1946 (Services as P.O.W.).

Ronald Gervase Mountain was born at Caistor, Lincolnshire, on 16 January 1897. He attended Quetta Cadet College and was appointed Second Lieutenant on the Unattached List, Indian Army, on 15 November 1915. Initially posted to the 127th Baluchistan Light Infantry, he was by 1916 attached to the 124th D.C.O. Baluchistan Infantry. He served during the Great War in Iraq, 28 August 1916 to 21 May 1918, and with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 5 June to 21 October, 1918 (M.C.).

He afterwards saw much action on the North West Frontier, firstly in Waziristan 1921-24, and then the North West Frontier operations of 1930. He was appointed a Company Commander in August 1931 and promoted Major on 15 November 1933. He saw action during the Mohmand operations of 1933 and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. He was again in action during the North West Frontier (Mohmand) operations of 1935, and the North West Frontier operations of 1936-37.

He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and commanding officer of the 10/10th Baluch Regiment on 17 July 1938, a position he held until 1 February 1941, when he was promoted Acting Brigadier and appointed to command the 25th Indian Brigade of the newly raised Indian 10th Infantry Division. As part of Iraqforce, he commanded the brigade during the war in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. As part of Paiforce, he commanded the 25th Indian Brigade attached to the Indian 8th Infantry Division during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia.

When the Indian 10th Infantry Division was moved to North Africa in June 1942, he commanded the 25th Indian Brigade stationed at Gambut, half way between Halfaya and Tobruk. They then retreated to Mersa Matruh where, on 26 June, they turned to fight. They were bypassed by the enemy and on 28 June the Division was ordered to break out. Soon afterwards Brigadier Mountain was taken prisoner of war and interned in Italy. In 1943 he was transferred to Germany where he stayed for the remainder of the war. He was mentioned in despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services as a prisoner of war in January 1946. He retired as a Colonel and honorary Brigadier in July 1947.