Ed_Haynes

Subadar Major Khan Bahadur Abdul Rauf Khan, Border Military Police and retired Extra Assistant Commissioner, Peshawar, NWFP Khan Bahadur, George V, first variety - Abdul Rauf Khan - retired Extra Assistant Commissioner, Peshawar, NWFP - title 1897 (Foreign Department, Frontier Proceedings, September 1897, 264-287). Badge named "Abdul Rauf Khan". No date on reverse of badge = from the first set of badges awarded, the pre-1911 retrospective awards (the VERY first title badges). Awarded in the context of the 1911 Durbar. There is quite a story here. Prepare to have your hair curled. Shown as "Subadar-Major, Border Military Police". L. W. Dane (Settlement Collector, Perhawar Division), ?Note on the Survey of the Border of the Peshawar District during Settlement 1894,? F, Frontier A, January 1896, 128-147: ?[border from Shamshattu Border Militia Post to Aimal Chabutra, in dispuite since 1869.] In 1893, a serious dispute arose between the Kalla Khel and Adezai owners of the tip [division of produce], and Major Deane, Deputy Commissioner, deputed Subadar-Major Abdul Rauk of the Border Militia to impose it. This was done and the Afridis had to pay their tip as they had not done for years.? ?[border from the Swat River to Hari Chand, Tahsil Charsadda.] As at Darwazgai the only serious chance of a disturbance arose, the history of the case deserves notice. In 1861-62 there had been a dispute between Totai and Tangi about the very area, which is a narrow strip of leven land intersected by nullahs running up to the low pass leading to Span Khara. It was decided by a jirga convened by Mr. Taylor, (sic) Assistant Commissioner, that the land belonged to Tangi, and this strip was accordingly measured at last settlement. Lately the Holy Mullah of Manki in Tahsil Naushera has been in the habit of going to Span Khara in the summer and has acquired great influence amongst the tribes there. As time went on he caused a small house to be constructed near an old Buddhist well in the bed of a nullah on this side of the pass. When I inspecxted this part of the frontier on 15th November 1893 I found that a small area near this had been broken up by trans-border men who were also cultivatring further to the south as well. After references to Major Deane it was decided that the area must be mapped within British territory. It is believed that the Mullah, though a British subject and owning valuable lands in Kheshgi in Tahsil Naushera and Gumati in Charsadda, objected to this, and raiused the tribes, whose attitude at one time was very threatening. Mr. Waterfield, Commandant, Border Militia, went to the spot on 18th April 1894 with a small excort of Border Militia under Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf Khan. Flags apopeared on the hill sides and several thousand men were collected. Mr. Waterfield explained matters to them, and Abdul Rauf went himself to Span Khara to the Mullah and remained there for some time. The result was that the cloud passed off and the area waqs measured on 29th April 1894 by four Patwaris under Abdul Haq, Field Kanungo, and Mir Alam, Deputy Superintendent. . . . ?[Note by Major H. A. Deane, Deputy Commissioner, Peshawar.] The dispute on the Uthman Khel and Ranizai border in regard to Asgarh, Killa and Dobandi was the most serious that we had. . . . The Mullah had obtained great influence among the Utman Khels and the Ranizais, and his object was to put them forward as claimants to the land, keeping himself in the background. He undoubtedly hoped that by a show of force we could be deterred from measuring the land and, if necessary, he intended to withdraw from Spin Khara himself, leaving the tribes to fight for the land. He got together a gathering of some 5,000 men and 87 standards, and as our information was to the effect that in Prangghar, Totai and the villages near the border the inhabitants had removed their cattle and the doors and woodwork from their homes, it was clear that the only chance was to fix the responsibility of the Mullah on the spot. This was done by the dispatch of Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf with a letter to the Mullah from myself [Deane], and with directions to Abdul Rauf to deliver it in person and to establish himself as the Mullah?s guest until he had permission to come away. The Mullah was taken by suirprise, he having made his preparations to leave Spin Khara the next day. He at first refused admitgtance to the Subedar-Major, who, however, was firm and acted all through with the greatest finesse and good sense. The Mullah owns considerable property in British territory and we ahd prevented his family from leaving British territory, which ensured him being careful for the safety of the Subedar-Major. The result of the Mullah?s responsibility being pressed on him was that the armed men found on the border next morning by Mr. Waterfield withdrew when told to do so, and the Mullah later with much entreaty dispersed the gathering. The measurements were then carried out without further trouble. Throughout these boundary disputres, which I was anxious should be settled finallyt without complications being brought about and also without making concessions to the tribes at the expense of our subjects, the Border Police under Mr. Waterfield, Assistant District Superintendent of Poilice, have done excellent service. Under his supervision they have carefully carried out my instructions not to bring about a collision with the tribes, nor to allow a few discontented individuals to force them into such a collision. Although, as Mr. Dane has mentioned in his report, shots were fired by the trans-border men during the measurement operations, not a shot was fired by the Border Military Police. At Dobandi Mr. Waterfield?s coolness and good sense prevailed with a considerable amount of armed men who were at one time within 40 yareds of him. . . . In conclusion, I would say that I cannot speak too highly of Mr. Waterfield, Commandant of the Border Military Police, and Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf in these troublesome matrters and I trust they may be suitably acknowledged by Government.? F. D. Cunningham to Chief Secretary, Punjab, 8 July 1895, on demarcation of border between Peshawar District and independent territory, F, Frontier A, January 1896, 128-147: ?It is a pleasant duty to draw attention to the credit that is due . . . to the services of the officers of the Border Police, Mr. S. Waterman and Abrab Abdur Rauf Khan; their management of the Kala Khel Afridis, their arrengments for guarding survey parties throughout, and in especial their coolness and resource with hwihc they met the situation created by the sttitude of the Mullah of Manki and his thousands of fanatical clanslem at Dobandi, merit the highest praise, and will no doubt receive full recognition of Government.? F, Frontier B, September 1897, 264-287, recommendation for Khan Bahadur: "Belongs to Khalil Arbab Khel family. His services in the Border Military Police have been most distinguished, especially during the recent demarcation of the boundary of the district when, by his personal tact and courage in proceeding alone to the house of the Manki Mullah at Spankhara, he succeeded in securing the dispersion of a large armed body of some 6,000 tribesmen and prevented what might have been a most serious fracas (vide correspondence ending with Government of India, Foreign Department, No. 4636 F., dated 30th December 1895). He has been strongly recommended for this honour by Major Deane and Mr. Merk." India Medal, 1895-1902, Victoria - PUNJAB FRONTIER 1897-98, TIRAH 1897-98 - named "Subdr. Major K. B. Abdul Rauf Khan Border Mily. Police". Reunited from two very different sorces!

Political Naib Tehsildar Shahbaz Khan, Sarwekai, South Waziristan, North-West Frontier Province 1- Indian Title Badge, George V, second variety, 3rd class, Khan Sahib - Shahbaz Khan, 1st Jany, 1934. Shahbaz Khan, Political Naib Tehsildar, Sarwekai, South Waziristan, North-West Frontier Province - Not. No. 21-H or 1 January 1934 Recommendation in F&P, 67-H/1933: "Shahbaz Khan is the son of Honorary Captain Fateh Khan on Azizabad, a provincial darbari who rendered excellent service during the unrest of 1930. Shahbaz Khan has served in South Waziristan for the past four years. He first distinguished himself in 1929 when, in chase of the outlaw Bostan, he, accompanied by tribal maliks and Khassadars, penetrated into the heart of the Mahsud tribal territory. In November 1931 he, again at considerable personal risk, proceeded to the most jealously guarded sanctuary of the Mahsuds -- the Khaisara, in search of the murderer Zarre, Giga Khel. In March 1932 he was present with the Scouts and troops who carried out the engineer reconaissance for the proposed Rqazmak-Wana road and his skill in dealing with the tribes and the personal ascendency he has gained from his firm but sympathetic treatment of them was largely responsible for the peaceful outcome of the expedition. During the autumn of 1932 Shahbaz Khan was in charge of the negotiations with the Khaisara Mahsuds concerning the construction of the Razmak-Wana road through their country. He was most successful and road construction in the Tiarza Valley was commenced in November, and has since continued steadily under the personal supervision of this officer. "Shahbaz Khan was of great assistance in August 1933 when certain action had to be taken against Mahsuds and Wazirs over a boundary dispute which was affecting the progress of road making. He showed courage and resource on this occasion and was largely responsible fo its successful conclusion. "I consider his services to be most deserving of recognition" FSGoI adds: "Political Naib Tahsildars in the N.W.F.P. have in the past been granted titles; tho' they appear to be comparatively junior officers for recognition. This gentleman however appears to have done very well & we need not raise the question of his juniority." 2- India General Service Medal, 1908-35, George V, 2nd variety - NORTH WEST FRONTIER 1930-31 - POL. NAIB TAHR. SHAHBAZ KHAN, POL. DEPT. Political Naib Tahsildar, Political Department. This group says a lot about "The Frontier"?

One of my main interests are Indian Title Badges, relatively unknown and until recently fairly cheap. They are, however, researchable and often dispolay nice recommendations. I'll show a few here.

Bhurtpoor (10 December 1825-18 January 1826) - Named to "Havildar Shaick Goolam Hoosain, 6th N. I.". On prize roll, in NAI, p. 7, as havildar, 3rd Company, 6th Native Infantry.

1- Poona - FIFER SONNAC RAMNAC. 2ND BN 9TH RT N. I. 2- Kirkee and Poona - PRIVATE. BABAJEE CUDDUM. 1ST BN. 7TH REGT. N. I.

Sepoy Mohan Lal. 28th Native Infty. Clasps: NAGPORE and MAHEIDPOOR. Interestingly, the regiment in which this is named is not in BB&M (no big surprise here!), as it was only raised in 1846 as the 28th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry (later the 128th Pioneers and 3/2nd Bombay Pioneers). Obviously, his service was in another regiment but the medal is named to his post-1846 unit. Research is called for.

The first India General Service Medal, created retroactively on 21 March 1851 to reward campaigns from 1803 to 1826 (though, technically, and according to the dates on the medal itself, it covered campaigns 1799-1826). Medals to Indians are uncommon, many having been de-named by European collectors and dealers over the years. Partial rolls for Indians are available and need to be studied. This, with clasp "Corygaum" is named to "Guide Wali Dull Sing. Attd. Madras Artillery". The defence of Corygaum was 1 January 1818. Only one specimen known to a European as a single clasp and three in combination with other clasps. At present, the number to Indians is unknown. Gordon estimates the total defending garrison at about 900.

Buy Peterson's Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States and all will be revealed. See: http://omsa.org/osCommerce/product_info.ph...&products_id=38 (I am not a great fan of commercial "plugs", but I am also not a great fan to "lifting" information from an already-published work.)

It seems to be the republican General Service Medal, shown above, on the wrong ribbon.

Tom, I can do something with the first half, but nothing with the second. Suspect Nepal Army rather than British mercenaries, though. Any chance of retrying scan for aging eyes? Thanks, Ed

How can I get this close" "a-sigh"? Maybe? Clear in the original. Dixon's tried a glossary a few years back. Funny in the extreme. Early AoI clasps rare to Indians. Will put up a few more. Ed

My only crab. (Wish I had more than one so I could make a really really bad joke.) #58814 - undocumented. Gosh they are hard to scan! Had always assumed there was no hope of research. Am I right? Please prove me wrong!

Thanks, Bob. I have been collecting Arab ODM only for five or ten years now. Not much comes except the same common things over and over again, and usually mis-identified. I'd have thought a lot of war booty would be coming these days, but the same things seem to appear over and over, even on e$cam. I had had a good supplier and e-friend in Baghdad until the invasion, but as he lived in an area of town that got really hammered and I have heard nothing since, . . . ?! I also had a good source in Cairo, who manufactured wider Arab awards; since he died a few years back, things are sparse that side too. As there are only two or three active collectors in this area, we tend to give each other a "heads up" when something nice comes. Information is also, as I have said, a major problem.

One of my recent addictions. This one just in, so I thought IU'd make it a "thread-starter", as it is (so far) the earliest campaign represented in my small AoI collection. As with all else, interested only in medals to Indians, not those to Natives (of the British Isles). Army of India Medal, clasp "ASSYE" - DURMAJEE ROW 4th LIGHT CAVy

Iftihar Madalyasi (Sanay-i Nefise Madalyasi), silver Named: MisisHarding fi Sanah 1308 26 Ra 1 Awarded to Winifred, Lady Hardinge of Penshurst, C.I., K.i.H. Wife of Charles Hardinge, Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy of India 1910-16.

Not to preempt Paul's offerings, I have put up a number of Iraqi awards in the "Arab exotica" thread I started and will be adding more until your toleration for such things ends. See: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2785

A nice pair! A shame there's no photo. It always helps to have a face to put with the medals.

Absolutely! And it would also be good to get more images of them being worn by Turks, not only by allied foreigners (= Germans).

Here's a closer closeup on the reverse of the "Soyombo". Thanks for all commentary and theories.

Reverse? Your wish is my command, Rick (once I drag the goodie from the bank where it lives).

DDR -- 45th and 50th Anniversary Badges

DDR -- 30th and 40th Anniversary Badges

DDR -- 25th Anniversary Badge, three varieties

DDR - Veterans' Badge

Honorary Labor Medal, Type 2 Var. 2 / Почетная Трудовая медаль, Тип 2, Bариант 2 #18531 (Yes, there is an obvious hole in the "Haynes Collection" that wants filling!)