Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (Jemadar Mahboob Singh, 6th Bngl. Cvlry.) suspension claw re-fixed and signs of repair to backstrap of top clasp, otherwise very fine £100-150

Mahbub Singh joined the 6th Bengal Cavalry on 3 September 1887. He served on the North West Frontier of India, 1897-98, including operations on the Samana and in the Kurram Valley during August and September 1897; and in Tirah in 1897-98 (Medal with three clasps).

Promoted to Jemadar on 24 October 1900, Mahbub Singh served in South Africa, 1899-1901, including operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17th to 26th February); operations in Orange River Colony (May to 29th November 1900); operations in the Transvaal between 30th November 1900 and 31st May 1902 (Queen’s medal with four clasps). Mahbub Singh was promoted to Ressaidar on 1 February 1908 and retired in about 1912.

The Q.S.A. medal roll shows entitlement to 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and South Africa 1901. Jemadar Mahboob Singh, the only native officer, and nine N.C.O.s and men of the 6th (Prince of Wales’) Bengal Cavalry received the Q.S.A. in silver. A further eight followers, all Syces, received the medal in bronze. Sold with a copy of the roll.