Ed_Haynes

Bikaner Miniature Group 1- Order of the Badge of Honour (missing, removed) 2- Rao Bahadur, George VI 3- Ganga Singh Household Medal in silver 4- Ganga Singh Jubilee Medal in silver 5- Sadul Singh Accession Medal (missing, never there) A shame the Badge of Honour is missing, for it might narrow the recipient. Ongoing research suggests attribution to either: Kanwar Rao Bahadur Jaswant Singh of Dausdar, Public Works Minister, Bikaner State, Rajputana (Rao Bahadur, 1 January 1944) or Kanwar Rao Bahadur Prem Singh, Revenue Minister, Bikaner State, Rajputana (Rao Bahadur, 1 January 1946)

Service Medal, Muhammad Zahir Shah

I may be wrong, but it has always been my assumption that Belgian medals were like French medals, that there really was no "official" striking of anything. Sure, there are medals made by the mint, but they are equally as official as awards manufactured by any other maker. The "award" is the certicicate and you then go out and buy your medals on the open market. How close to correct am I?

A really nice bibliography/shopping list. Should this be split off and pinned somewhere? Thanks!

One of the more uncommon Videsh Sevas in my custody (a singleton only, alas), for Mauritius. Named: "40500-W. LT. K. N. S. SODHI, I.N." Still have to seek him in the Navy List.

Welcome Hendrik!!

19689 Warrant Officer S. U. Nandanan, Indian Air Force 1- Raksha Medal, 1965 - 19689 FLT. SGT. NANDAN. S., I.A.F. 2- Sainya Seva Medal - Jammu Kashmir - 19689 WO. NANDANAN S, I.A.F. (there is also a duplicate issue of this medal, named 19689 W.O. NANDANAN M. S., I.A.F.) 3- Videsh Seva Medal - Indonesia - 19689 WO. NANDANAN SHANKU, I.A.F. (one of the scarcer Videsh Seva clasps, for service on loan to the government of Indonesia, 21 November 1955-???) 4- The Indian Independence Medal, 1947 - 19689 T/LAC. M. S. NANDANAN, R.I.A.F. 5- Twenty Years Long Service Medal - ribbon only 6- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 19689 WO. NANDANAN, S. U., I.A.F. Apparently no WWII service.

I have a particular fondness for the Videsh Seva (too?). The problem is that there are at least 54 clasps, most with award numbers under thirty (and most are still with serving recipients). Beyond the ones I have shown above http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=1 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=10 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=11 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=15 http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=16 I do have some others, but many are naked (not properly dressed in ribbons) and not fit for public display. I will dig out some others and post them here. On Videsh Seva, you may want to glance at: http://sagongs.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=70

Enough -- more than enouigh?? -- for now . . . .

3951343 Sepoy Sukh Ram, VrC, 3rd Bn, Dogra Regiment Born: 26 November 1938, Mallyawar, Bilaspur, HP; father: Sh. Lakhu Ram Enrolled: 26 November 1959 Vir Chakra by Not. No. 72-Pres./66, Gazette of India, 8 October 1966, p. 663 "On 6 September 1965 when Sepoy Sukh Ram's section was leading an attack on a well-defended enemy post in the Poonch Sector, his company came under heavy enemy fire which rendered further advance impossible. Sepoy Sukh Ram rushed forward with four grenades. In spite of stiff opposition, he managed to close in, dropped two grenades in an enemy trench and destroyed an LMG. He then dashed to another LMG and lobbed a grenade at the enemy manning the LMG. While doing so, he got two bursts of LMG fire in his head and chest as a result of which he died. "Sepoy Sukh Ram displayed exemplary courage, initiative and determination of a high order." Gautam Sharma, "The Dogra Regiment History, 1947-1971" (MS in USI-I Library) pp. 225-26: Battle of Cgabd Kekri (Pt. 7702, north of Punch). Advance of Co. B on evening of 5 September 1965. "Sepoy Sukh Ram was also in one of the leading section of the company. Enemy machine guns were emitting a murderous volume of fire which rendered further advance impossible. On his own initiative Sukh Ram rushed forward with four hand grenades and closing on one of the enemy posts lobbed two of them in quick succession into the gun position, destroying it in the process. He then dashed forward to another position nearby and threw a grenade in it. As soon as he did this he was hit by a burst of gun fire in the face and was instantaneously killed. It was the last time the enemy gun fired. It is such individual feats of heroism, many of them unrecorded, that brought success to our arms." Shown in Amar Jawan (p. 151): 06 Sep 65 3951343 Sep Sukh Ram, VrC Medal named: 3951343 SEP. SUKH RAM, DOGRA R. 6 SEPT. 1965

And a couple of non-grouped singletons. Ashoka Chakra, Class II Established as the "Ashoka Chakra, Class II" by the President of India, No.1-Pres./52 of 4 January 1952 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were revised and the decoration renamed as the "Kirti Chakra" by No.30-Pres./67 of 27 January 1967. Awarded for conspicuous gallantry in non-combatant situations. This specimen is named "90919 L/NK AMAR SINGH RANA, 9 BN., ASSAM RIF. -- 14 AUG. 1957" L/Nk. Rana was born 5 March 1923, in village Khare, Nepal, the son of Shri Purna Rana. He enlisted 5 March 1956 (rather late in life?). Ashoka Chakra, Class II, by Not. No. 27-Pres/59. dated New Delhi, 23rd April 1959 (Gazette of India, 2 May 1959): "On the 14th Aug 1957 at about 1800 hours two sections of Assam Rifles while escorting some porters and stores from Lukhyekhe to Seyochang ran into a hostile ambush. Due to poor visibility the troops got seperated from the porters and there was much confusion. L-Nk Amar Singh Rana and another Rfn found themselves cut off from the rest by a group of hostiles. The first volley of hostile fire badly wounded his comrade in the stomach. L-Nk Rana dashed forward to rescue the wounded Rfn. In doing so he was wounded in the left arm. Despite this injury he engaged the enemy group of about 10 men singlehanded for some time and carried the wounded Rfn to safety. As the return of fire from him was intermittent, the hostile party took courage and charged the cover behind which L-Nk Rana and his companion were sheltered. L-Nk Rana then pulled out a grenade and removing the pin with his teeth threw it at the charging hostiles. The first grenade killed the leader of the hostile party. He then quickly threw a second grenade removed from the wounded Rfn and inflicted wounds on two more of the hostiles causing them to retreat. "L-Nk Amar Singh Rana's courageous action prevented the wounded soldier and his weapons and ammunition from falling into the hands of the hostiles. His gallant action was in the highest traditions of the Assam Rifles."

13731220 Naik Roop Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles 1- Wound Medal - no medal, ribbon only 2- Samanya Seva Medal, 1965 - Nagaland - 13731220 NK ROOP SINGH JAK RIF - worn, properly but oddly, on GSM 1947 ribbon 3- Poorvi Star, 1971 - 13731220 RFN ROOP SINGH JAK RIF 4- Paschimi Star, 1971 - 13731220 RFN ROOP SINGH JAK RIF 5- Sangram Medal, 1971 - 13731220 RFN ROOP SINGH JAK RIF 6- Sainya Seva Medal - no medal, ribbon only 7- 25th Independence Anniversary - medal missing (anyone have it?) 8- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 13731220 RFN ROOP SINGH JAK RIF An interesting group on a couple of levels: (1) so many ribbon-only awards, (2) the Samanya Seva Medal (Nagaland clasp) worn, as was ordered at the time, on the GSM 47 ribbon.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Officiating) Khyatendra Pal Singh, United Provinces Mounted by Spink, nicely as usual, but with major errors, as usual what they do to and for South Asian medals. Grumble. The Special Duty medal has the ribbon reversed (OK, they had a 50% chance of getting it right) and the Independence medal is reversed (also 50:50) and has the incorrect ribbon (Queen's South Africa). Still, pretty, but a likely candidate for eventual remounting. 1- Police Medal for Gallantry "K. P. Singh, Dy. S.P. (Offg.), U.P." Not. No. 61-Pres./60 of 11 October 1960 (GoI 15 October 1960, p. 232): "Shri Khyatendra Pal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Officiating), Agra, Uttar Pradesh. "On receipt of information at about 13:00 hours on the 21st March 1960, that the gang of the notorious dacoit Balwanta, who was wanted in several cases of dacoity, murder and kidnapping in Uttar Pradesh was in the ravines of River Utangan near villages Behari and Chamarpura, Shri Khyatendra Pal Singh, Circle Officer, Fatehabad, District Agra, accompanied by the Station Officer of Police Station Fatehabad and the available force, including P.A.C., immediately proceeded to the ravines. The force was divided into four parties. Two of the parties lay in ambush on the likely routes of escape of the gang and the other two parties, one under the command of Sri Khyatendra Pal Singh himself, proceeded to close in from two sides and strike at the gang. At about 16:45 hours the dacoits noticed the police force advancing towards them and immediately opened fire on the party led by Sri Khyatendra Pal Singh. Undaunted by the firing and unmindful of his personal safety he continued his advance toward the dacoits. Balwanta, the leader of the gang, who had taken up a commanding position, continued to fire wildly at the police party. Sri Khyatendra Pal Singh at great personal risk came up close to the dacoits and succeeded in shooting down Balwanta. The rest of the gang managed to escape through the ravines. One DBBL 12 bore gun with a large quantity of ammunition was found with Balwanta. "In the brief and successful encounter Sri Khyatendra Pal Singh exhibited exemplary courage, leadership and devotion to duty at great personal risk." 2- Police (Special Duty) Medal - JAMMU & KASHMIR 3- Police Independence Medal, 1950 The last two are -- of course and as usual -- unnamed.

3372039 Naik Gurmukh Singh, Sikh Regiment OK, not incredibly exciting, but a nice little mounted-as-worn IPKF pair. 1- Vishesh Seva - Sri Lanka - 3372039 NK. GURMUKH SINGH, SIKH R 2- Videsh Seva - Sri Lanka - 3372039 NK. GURMUKH SINGH SIKH R The only real puzzle: How did Gurmukhsinghji manage to avoid a Sainya Seva?!? And no 9-Year? The 7th, 13th, 16th, 17th, and 22nd battalions served in Sri Lanka (at least those are the ones that suffered casualties, per Amar Jawan).

3162 Group Captain Harbans Singh Monga, Indian Air Force Mounting a bit ragged, but a long and impressive (and heavy) group. IAF List, July 1956: Name- Monga, Harbans Singh Rank - Flight Lt Number - 3162 (General Duties Branch) Date of Birth - 15-June-1923 Date of Commission - 25-June-1945 Date of Subst Rank of Flt Lt - 25-June-1950 Remarks - Permanent Commission 1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1947-48 - 3162 FG. OFF. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 2- Samar Seva Star, 1965 - 3162 GP. CAPT. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 3- Poorvi Star, 1971 - missing, ribbon only 4- Paschimi Star, 1971 - missing, ribbon only 5- Raksha Medal, 1965 - 3162 GP. CAPT. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 6- Sangram Medal, 1971 - missing, ribbon only 7- Sainya Seva Medal - Himalaya - 3162 GP. CAPT. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 8- Videsh Seva Medal - Nepal - 3162 WG. CDR. H. S. MANGA, I. A. F. 9- The Indian Independence Medal, 1947 - 3162 FG. OFFR. H. S. MONGA, R.I.A.F. 10- 25th Independence Anniversary - missing, ribbon only 11- Twenty Years Long Service Medal - 3162 GP. CAPT. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 12- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 3162 GP. CAPT. H. S. MONGA, I. A. F. 13- The War Medal, 1939-45 - IND/3162 FLT/LT. H. S. MONGA, R. I. A. F.

JC-108697 Subadar Kishorilal, Punjab Regiment 1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - MIZO HILLS - 2444454 HAV KISHOREILAL, PUNJAB R 2- Samar Seva Star, 1965 - unnamed 3- Raksha Medal, 1965 - 2444454 NK KISHORI LAL PUNJAB R 4- Sangram Medal, 1971 - unnamed 5- Sainya Seva Medal - Jammu Kashmir, NEFA - 2444454 SEP. KISHORILAL, PUNJAB R. 6- High Altitude Service Medal - JC-108697 SUB KISHORILAL, PUNJAB R 7-25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972 - 2444454 HAV KISHORI LAL PUNJAB R 8- Twenty Years Long Service Medal - 2444454 N SUB KISHORI LAL, PUNJAB R. 9- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 2451978 L-NK RUP SINGH, PUNJAB R. - not his, but it came with the group! (Did the Subadar-Sahib lift someone's medal to fill out his group?)

1527748 Havildar Sadaram Singh, Bombay Engineers Group 1- Samanya Seva Medal, 1965 - Nagaland - 1522748 HAV S SINGH, BOMBAY E G 2- Raksha Medal, 1965 - 1527748 SPR. S. SINGH, BOMBAY ENGR GP. 3- Sangram Medal, 1971 - 1527748 L/NK SADARAM SINGH 4- Sainya Seva Medal - Himalaya - 1527748 SPR. S. SINGH. BOMBAY ENGR. GP. 5- 25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972 - unnamed 6- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 1527748 LNK. S. R. SINGH, BOMBAY ENGR. 7- Long Service and Good Conduct Medal - 1527748 HAV SADARAM SINGH, BOMBAY E G - mounted out of order

4448021 Naik Gurnam Singh, Sikh Light Infantry 1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - NAGA HILLS - 4448021 SEP-BS. GURNAM SINGH, SIKH L.I. 2- Sangram Medal, 1971 - 4448021 SEP / B/S GURNAM SINGH SIKH LI 3- Sainya Seva Medal - Himalaya - 4448021 SEP-B-S. G. SINGH, SIKH LI 4- High Altitude Service Medal - 4448021 Na. Gurnam Singh. Si. La. I. (in Hindi) 5- 25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972 - 4448021 SEP-B-SMITH GURNAM SINGH SIKH L I 6- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 4448021 SEP. GURNAM SINGH, SIKH L. I. Interesting: A- Rank (Sepoy-Blacksmith); B- Both "Himalaya" and High Altitude Medal; and C- Hindi naming on High Altitude Medal.

4436391 Havildar Bachittar Singh, Sikh Light Infantry 1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - NEFA 1962 - 4436391 SEP. BACHITTAR SINGH, SIKH L. I. 2- Samar Seva Star, 1965 - 4436391 SEP. BACHITTAR SINGH, SIKH L. I. Raksha Medal, 1965 - missing, obviously - 3- Sangram Medal, 1971 - 4436391 HAV. BACHITTAR SINGH SIKH L I 4- Sainya Seva Medal - Jammu Kashmir - 4436391 SEP. BACHITTAR SINGH, S. L. I. 5- Videsh Seva Medal - United Arab Republic - 4436391 SEP. BACHITTAR SINGH, SIKH L. I. 6- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 4436391 SEP. BACHITTAR SINGH, S. L. I. 7- United Nations: UNEF Medal - unnamed A true shame it is missing one medal.

1097408 Sweeper Asa Ram, Armoured Corps 1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - NAGA HILLS - 1097408 SWPR. ASA RAM, A. C. 2- Sainya Seva Medal - Bangal-Assam - 1097408 SWPR ASA RAM, A. C. 3- Videsh Seva Medal - Congo - 1097408 SWPR. ASA RAM, A. C. 4- United Nations: Operation des Nations Units au Congo (ONUC) Medal - unnamed Videsh Seva kind of "chewed", but still nice.

C-9436 Subadar-Major Meneha Singh, Army Service Corps (Motorised Transport) There is MUCH variability in the spelling of his name! WWII service, then out? enrolled 9 January 1959 (re-enrolled?) Naib Subadar 9 January 1959 (same day as enrollment) Subadar 1 March 1964 Acting Subadar-Major 1 January 1968 1- Samar Seva Star, 1965 - JC-6436 SUB MECHANGA SINGH ASC(MT) 2- Raksha Medal, 1965 - JC9436_MEHNA SINGH ASC(MT) 3- Sangram Medal, 1971 - unnamed 4- 25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972 - ZJC9436 SUB. MAJ. MEHENGA SINGH ASC(MT) 5- The Indian Independence Medal, 1947 - MTN-940217 HAV MAMNGA SINGH, ASC(MT) 6- Twenty Years Long Service Medal - JC-9436 SUB-MAJ MENEHA SINGH, ASC(MT) 7- Nine Years Long Service Medal - ribbon only 8- 1939-45 Star - MTN/940217 C.Q.M. HAV. MEHNGA SINGH, RIASC (MT) 9- Burma Star - MTN-940217 C.Q.M. HAV. MEHNGA SINGH, RIASC (MT) 10- The War Medal, 1939-45 - MTN 940217 C.Q.M. HAV.MEHNGA SINGH RIASC(MT) 11- The India Service Medal, 1939-45 - unnamed

A few more . . . Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohmed Quadir Ali, I.P.S., Mysore 1- President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service "M. Quadir Ali, I.P.S., D.I.G. Mysore" Not. No. 3-Pres./66 of 26 January 1966 (Gazette of India, 5 February 1966, p. 75): "Shri Mohmed Quadir Ali, I.P.S. "Deputy Inspector General of Police "Central Range "Bangalore, Mysore" 2- Police Medal for Meritorious Service, 1st variety "M. Quadir Ali, I.P.S., D.I.G. Police, Mysore" Notficaton No. 5-Pres./59 of 26 January 1959 (Gazette of India, 31 January 1959, p. 52): "Shri Mohamed Quadir Ali, .I.P.S., Deputy Inspector General of Polce, Southern Range, Mysore." 3- Police Independence Medal, 1950

It is online at http://www.andreas-thies.de/ is you can tolerate wading through the website and the PDF files. As it includes chunks of the George Seymour and Eric Ludvigsen collections, what is there is predictably pretty, and pricey. Some items (documented 1813 EK 1?) seem too good to be true and forum wisdom would probably be welcomed. Nothing for me, but lovely eye-candy for sure.

If amalgamated, I shall edit my posts, please. The "Empire" is quite dead. India is independent.

It is, I think, almost as bad as the Third Reich stuff, and in some cases more dangerous, as we are closer in time to the availability of "raw materials" for medals, documents, and groups, and there is MUCH money in teh Old Country to acquire top-end items. I think the reliability of the dealer is paramount, guarantees, and the ability to get "Paul Papers" are the best safety net we can arrange.