Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

The rare Defence of Chitral Order of Merit group of three awarded to Naick Lal Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles, for the initial disastrous reconnaissance with which the defence of Chitral commenced

(a) Order of Merit, 3rd Class, the reverse with screw-nut fitting and officially inscribed on three lines ‘3rd Class Order of Merit’, lacking ribbon buckle

(b) India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Chitral 1895 (393 Naick Lal Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles)

(c) Jummoo and Kashmir Medal 1895, clasp, Chitral 1895 (393 Naick Lal Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles) enamel badly chipped on the first and some pitting to the second, otherwise nearly very fine or better £5000-6000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Collection

Ex Tomkins collection, Glendining November 1913.

Sold with original India Office letter, dated 25th May 1911, confirming award of the ‘3rd Class of the Indian Order of Merit’.

Order of Merit GGO 744 of 1895: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion exhibited by him during the defence of the Fort at Chitral between the 3rd March and the 19th April 1895 - With effect from the 3rd March 1895.’

Awarded for the reconnaissance on 3 March 1895, during which Surgeon Captain H. F. Whitchurch won the Victoria Cross. The following extract is taken from Captain C. V. F. Townshend's Despatch of 26 April 1895:

'Reconnaissance, 3rd March 1895. We were now fired into on all sides, front, flank and rear, from every hamlet and wall, and it was now quite dark and impossible at a short distance to distinguish friend from foe. Captain Campbell, who had been put on a pony, notwithstanding that he was severely wounded, helped me in keeping the men together. Crossing the polo-ground the enemy kept up a fire on us from the houses and the orchards. On reaching the serai I found 50 men of the 14th Sikhs under Lieutenant Hurley, who had come out to cover our retreat. I directed him to cover our retirement into the fort, and, restoring order among the 4th Kashmir Rifles, retired into the fort; the Sikhs covered the retreat very steadily. I took command now at the fort, as Campbell was severely wounded. Every man was sent to his station. I heard that Captain Baird had been desperately wounded away on our right flank, and that he and Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch had not come into the fort. He had been wounded in the early part of the action. About 8 p.m. Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch came in, bringing Captain Baird, who was mortally wounded. Thirteen of the 4th Kashmir Rifles had stuck by them, - Gurkhas and one or two Dogras, under Subadar Badri Nar Singh. They had a marvellous escape. They had to charge one or two walls or sangars where the enemy tried to stop them; several of the party were killed, Baird receiving another wound as he was being carried; they had to rush one sangar with the bayonets.'

The casualties in this sortie from the fort amounted to 25 killed and 30 wounded, mostly amongst the 4th Kashmir Rifles. In addition to the V.C. to Surgeon Whitchurch, the Order of Merit was awarded to 15 officers and men of the Kashmir Rifles for gallantry on that day.

Ref: Deeds of Valour Performed by Indian Officers and Soldiers (Hypher).