Post-1947 Indian Groups

[Michael Johnson]

Here is a nice group to the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles:

1. GSM 1947 - "Ladakh 1962"

2. Samar Seva Star

3. Rakhsha Medal

4. 9 Year Long Service Medal

5738664 Rfn./L.Nk. Pas Bahadur Gurung

The 1962 war with China was a bitterly fought struggle by a poorly-equipped and outnumbered Indian Army against the Communist Chinese. Two Param Vir Chakras (equivalent to the Victoria Cross) were won, one by the 1/8 G.R. The Hyderabad Regiment got the other for an action where almost an entire company was wiped out holding a position.

The 1/8th served in the 4th Indian Division in the 1965 war with Pakistan, and were present at the battle of Khem Karan.

[Ed_Haynes]

There is anorther thread under "world" (as these are no longer "British") over at

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450

Do the magic-wielding moderators want to conjoin the two?

[Michael Johnson]

There is anorther thread under "world" (as these are no longer "British") over at

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450

Do the magic-wielding moderators want to conjoin the two?

Ah yes, but if you read higher up, this section is Commonwealth as well as Empire. Last time I looked the Indians were still part of the Commonwealth.

So amalgamate, certainly, but I would amalgamate here.

[Ed_Haynes]

If amalgamated, I shall edit my posts, please.

The "Empire" is quite dead. India is independent.

Edited November 23, 2005 by Ed_Haynes

[Chris Boonzaier]

I think where they belong is in the eye of the individual collector.

Of course, India is independant, but for a collector there may be other ways of seeing it.

For a specialist like Ed they are a totally independant collecting field, but to a collector of mainly Brit medals who has a couple of post 47 groups they may just be an "Epilog to the Empire" thing, dispalyed with pre 47 medals.

In the same way, I am well aware that South Africa is independant, but I would probably end up showing South African medals here, ditto for Rhodesion medals after Ian Smith broke away from Britain. They may not be brit, but the traditions go back...

[Michael Johnson]

I think where they belong is in the eye of the individual collector.

Of course, India is independant, but for a collector there may be other ways of seeing it.

For a specialist like Ed they are a totally independant collecting field, but to a collector of mainly Brit medals who has a couple of post 47 groups they may just be an "Epilog to the Empire" thing, dispalyed with pre 47 medals.

In the same way, I am well aware that South Africa is independant, but I would probably end up showing South African medals here, ditto for Rhodesion medals after Ian Smith broke away from Britain. They may not be brit, but the traditions go back...

I think the key element here is that the military traditions of ex-colonies (including Canada, the senior Dominion) have preserved some of the British traditions. It has nothing to do with whether you are a Dominion or a Republic. That is a matter of individual taste.

I have collected on both sides of 1947. Given my interest in peacekeeping it is helpful that India is, along with Canada, one of the biggest contributors to UN operations.