The Great War Medal

[Leuchtturm]

Hi Gents,

I wasn´t online for a long time, but I´ve received a new Great war medal.

Can you help me with teh soldier?

It´s marked wit:

2327 SEPOY ALLAH DITTA, 1-66 PJBS

Many thanks and best wishes.

Chris

[dante]

Almost impossible to research WW1 Indian medals, at best a google search of the regiment

[Bilco]

Chris - have a look at this thread http://sagongs.ipbhost.com/topic/6572-877-havildar-sher-zaman-66th-punjabis-msm-pair/

Same regiment, so maybe someone there can help ...

Bill

[Leuchtturm]

Hi,

many thanks for the help.

I´ve looked for the 66th Punjabis, and found something interesting in Wikipedia.

I hope I was looking for the correct regiment.

Many thanks and best wishes

Chris

[peter monahan]

Chris

Here is a short synopsis of the service of the 66th.

In 1902 the 6th Madras Infantry, was reconstituted with Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Rajputs. In 1903, all Madras units had 60 added to their numbers, and the regiment's designation was changed to 66th Punjabis.

Allah Dittah was almost certainly a member of the PM double company.

In 1902 the 6th Madras Infantry, was reconstituted with Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Rajputs. In 1903, all Madras units had 60 added to their numbers, and the regiment's designation was changed to 66th Punjabis.

Allah Dittah was almost certainly a member of the PM double company.

During World War I the 66th Punjabis were dispatched to Mesopotamia as part of the 12th Indian Division in 1915. After taking part in the Battle of Shaiba, the regiment participated in the operations in Persian Arabistan. In October, the 66th Punjabis joined the 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 Division resolutely resisted 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 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.

The 66th Punjabis were re-formed at Jhelum on 31 December 1916. They served on the North West Frontier of India and took part in the Third Afghan War of 1919. On 5 October 1918, the regiment raised a second battalion at Sitapur, which was disbanded in 1921.

In 1922, the regiment was became the 2^nd Battalion, 1^st Punjab Regiment, thus severing any last ties with their Madras origins.  On independence, the regiment went to the Pakistani Army.  Eventual amalgamations have now produced a single 'Punjab Regiment' of 20+ battalions.

I hope this is of some help.

Peter

Here is a link to some further information: http://www.researchingww1.co.uk/66th-punjabis

The war diary may be useful.  Some were very dtailed and included what the regiment was doing on a daily basis, weather, maps, and even, if you're very lucky, lists of casualties, though private soldiers are rarely mentioned ny name.  I don't know if the single war diary mentioned in the link is this good, but at least you might get info. on what Dittah's company was doing.

Good luck!

[Leuchtturm]

Hi Peter,

many thanks, very interesting.

Best wishes

Chris

[Gunner]

Can anybody out there advise what cap badge in WW1 was worn by 1st King George's Sappers and Miners ?