INDIA -- Videsh Seva Medal

[Ed_Haynes]

One of my favourites.

Created by Presidential Notification No.15-Pres./60 of 26 January 1960 and Not. No. 32-Pres./60 of 2 June 1960, with effect from 15 August 1947. The first clasps as well as eligible categories of personnel were notified in MoD Notification No 1399, dated 22 July 1960. Ministry of Defence notifications in the Gazette of India Part 1, Section 3, at varying times commencing from Notification No. 1399 of 22 July 1960 have authorized additional clasps. The design of the medal itself was modified by No.52-Pres./68 of 22 July 1968.

Awarded to military personnel for services outside of India. Personnel assigned on the regular staff of diplomatic missions in the countries where clasps have been authorized are excluded from awards. In many cases, the clasps are awarded either for service with the United Nations or other multi-national missions or for detached service on loan to foreign governments. In May 1970 it was decided that the following categories of service were in future recognized for institution of a clasp to the medal irrespective of the number of personnel involved:

- (a) campaign service or service in peace-keeping roles with the UN; and

- (b) deputation with other countries in various capacities as Trainers, Advisors and to fill up specific posts for temporary periods, etc.

This has resulted in some extremely small numbers of qualifying personnel. In general, the qualifying period is graduated according to the length of the specific service: for assignments over a year, the qualifying period is six months; for assignments less than a year, the qualifying period is three months. Exceptions are made for special cases. The medal may be awarded posthumously. Moreover, a person who died or was evacuated due to wounds or other disabilities attributable to service in the countries and during the service specified or who was awarded a gallantry award in the course of such service would qualify automatically for the award of a clasp even if he did not meet the minimum stipulated qualifying service period.

Although the instituting notification stipulated that the medal was to be awarded for "for such service abroad . . . which has not been considered for any other Indian medal" on at least one occasion, the Videsh Seva medal (with clasp Sri Lanka) has been awarded in conjunction with another medal, the Special Service Medal with clasp "Sri Lanka", awarded for service with the Indian Peace Keeping Force. As the notification implies, non-India medals are frequently bestowed for the same service as the Videsh Seva Medal, most commonly for United Nations or other multinational peacekeeping operations.

The various clasps (all clasps in Hindi only) thusfar identified (listed by the soon-to-be-standard Haynes-Chhina number):

1051.301 Korea (1950-54)

1051.302 Nepal (1952?)

1051.303 Indochina (1954-70)

1051.304 Indonesia (1955-??)

1051.305 United Arab Republic (1956-??)

1051.306 Ethiopia (1957?, 1961?, 1970?)

1051.307 Lebanon (1958, 1998?)

1051.308 Ghana (1959?)

1051.309 Iraq (1959?)

1051.310 Sri Lanka (1960?)

1051.311 Congo (1960-64, 1999?)

1051.312 Bhutan (1961?)

1051.313 New Guinea (1962-63)

1051.314 Yemen (1963-64)

1051.315 Nigeria (1963?)

1051.316 Algeria (1963?)

1051.317 Cyprus (1964?)

1051.318 Malaysia (1966?)

1051.319 Afghanistan (1970?)

1051.320 Bangladesh (1972)

1051.321 Mauritius (1973?)

1051.322 Botswana (1973?)

1051.323 Zambia (1973?, 1994?)

1051.324 Sudan (1976?)

1051.325 Oman (1976?)

1051.326 Qatar (1988?)

1051.327 Tanzania (1988?)

1051.328 Iran-Iraq (1988-91)

1051.329 Maldives (1988)

1051.330 Seychelles (1989?)

1051.331 Angola (1989?)

1051.332 Namibia (1989-90)

1051.333 Nicaragua (1990-92)

1051.334 Honduras (1990-92)

1051.335 Guatemala (1990-92)

1051.336 Costa Rica (1990-92)

1051.337 El Salvador (1990-95)

1051.338 Iraq-Kuwait (1991?)

1051.339 Western Sahara (1991?)

1051.340 Cambodia (1991-93)

1051.341 Yugoslavia (1992-95)

1051.342 New York (1993?)

1051.343 Somalia (1993-95)

1051.344 Mozambique (1993-94)

1051.345 Haiti (1993-96)

1051.346 Liberia (1994?)

1051.347 Rwanda (1994-96)

1051.348 Laos (1995?)

1051.349 Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995?, 1998?)

1051.350 Sierra Leone (1998?)

1051.351 Kosovo (1999?)

1051.352 Northern Iraq (2000?)

1051.353 Lesotho (2000?)

1051.354 Ethiopia and Eritrea (2000?)

The medal shown is for Korea, named to "3930754 HAV. RAMDASS, A.E.C." - what was the Army Educational Corps doing with the NNRC?

Edited January 27, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Michael Johnson]

Along with Canada, India was heavily committed to peacekeeping operations. UNEF and the Congo come to mind. The Indians suffered casualties in both - the former when caught by the start of the Six Day War in 1967, and of course they were heavily engaged in combat in the Congo.

I have two of these medals in my collection: a sepoy in the 9th Dogra for UNEF, and a Gorkha in 3/1st Gorkha Rifles for Congo (where Capt. G.S. Salaria won a posthumous Param Vir Chakra).

A good summary and roll of honour is here: http://indianarmy.nic.in/arunpk1.htm

Sepoy Kikar Singh, Dogra Regiment

Edited January 28, 2007 by Michael Johnson

[Ed_Haynes]

Along with Canada, India was heavily committed to peacekeeping operations. UNEF and the Congo come to mind. The Indians suffered casualties in both - the former when caught by the start of the Six Day War in 1967, and of course they were heavily engaged in combat in the Congo.

I have two of these medals in my collection: a sepoy in the 9th Dogra for UNEF, and a Gorkha in 3/1st Gorkha Rifles for Congo (where Capt. G.S. Salaria won a posthumous Param Vir Chakra).

A good summary and roll of honour is here: http://indianarmy.nic.in/arunpk1.htm

Yes, If you glance over at

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2450&st=1

you'll see the Sena Medal group to the havildar who got Salaria's men out of the mess he'd walked them into (after he was killed and thereby won his PVC).

[DutchBoy]

Handsome medal Ed! I like the reverse particularly...much more decorative than so many medals these days. reminds me of the British medals of the late 1800s to some extent.

[Ed_Haynes]

Handsome medal Ed! I like the reverse particularly...much more decorative than so many medals these days. reminds me of the British medals of the late 1800s to some extent.

Absolutely, fine detail work and much superior to the rubbish being issued by most countries today (India included).

[Ed_Haynes]

In partial response to Kevin's query on another thread, I thought I have a Videsh Seva for Lebanon. But I don't seem to. And the MoD medal office didn't have a clasp in stock, so all we were able to say/show in The Book was this (though we say more in the UNOGIL and UNIFIL sections). Sorry to raise hopes.

Edited November 14, 2008 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

While there may not be much interest in these here, and while some have (I think) be posted elsewhere, I thought I might add a few Videsh Seva Medal groups.

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.

[Ed_Haynes]

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. :( :(

[Ed_Haynes]

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.

[Ed_Haynes]

3162 Group Captain H. S. Monga, Indian Air Force

Mounting a bit ragged, but a long and impressive (and heavy) group.

According to what I have been able to discover, he was transport, served in No.1 Transport Training Wing which was based at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The 1TTW merged with the 2TTW at Yelhanka, Bangalore to form the TTW there. Thereafter Begumpet reverted to 'AFS Begumpet' name. No.1 TTW at that time operated C-47 Dakotas and Devons for Training. G/C Monga would most probably have flown C47s with No.12 Squadron in J and K Ops .

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.

[Ed_Haynes]

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? Incomplete group? Did the medals never catch up with him?

The 7th, 13th, 16th, 17th, and 22nd battalions served in Sri Lanka (at least those are the ones that suffered casualties, per Amar Jawan).

[Ed_Haynes]

I have many more Visedh Seva groups, but they are unmounted and I don't like posting naked medals. Having lost access to my medal mounting services, I may have to try the do-it-yourself approiach.

[Brian Wolfe]

I have many more Visedh Seva groups, but they are unmounted and I don't like posting naked medals. Having lost access to my medal mounting services, I may have to try the do-it-yourself approiach.

Those are some fine groups.

As to the do-it-yourself approach to court mounting, go for it, you'll be glad you did.

Regards

Brian

[Sahil117]

Dear Sir,
It is FANTASTIC reading your posts. As a subaltern, one of the first few books I bought was your 'Medals & Decorations of Independent India' and I'm happy to say- I'm all the wiser for it! I am now posted on a peacekeeping mission with UNIFIL and in some small way, am trying to to keep the tranquility between Lebanon and Israel. Sir, while here in Lebanon, I have also undertaken a 'personal sort-of project' project, which is to 're-build' my grandfather's medal set, for myself now/ and maybe for presenting to the Regiment at a later stage in life. (My grandfather, father and I incidentally have some 80 years in the same Regiment and they both had the honour to command it as well). The original set of medals, incidentally was presented to 'another Regiment' that my grandfather was ordered to raise, and they occupy a place of pride in the ibid Regiments Quarter Guard.

Sir, at a recent visit to Spink, London, I was able to recreate exactly half the set by getting four original, good condition and un-named medals (The 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45) on my grandfathers set. Luck further favoured me some more, and I was able to get the UNEF-I medal too at an online medal auction. Thereafter, the struggle has begun: while I was able to procure a decent condition and un-named Indian Independence Medal 1947, the last two medals are turning out to be a nightmare:- The Videsh Seva Medal with clasp 'Sayunkt Arab Ganjrajya' (UAR) and the Raksha Medal 1965.

I understand these were perhaps made in very small numbers (as medals go) and getting hold of an un-named or a decent condition medal may prove to be next to impossible. However, I am doing what I can to leave no stone un-turned as this is the only family set that is 'missing' (so to say) and I hope before long to be able to replace it. Having exhausted all options (seemingly) I turn to you for help/ ideas on how to proceed from here.

I apologize for leaving names of Regiments and other details missing/ vague in this message, sir. I am sure you realize, the Do's and Don'ts that are hand in glove with life in uniform.

Yours Sincerely,

sahil

 

 

 

[Brian Wolfe]

Welcome to GMIC Sahil.  Mr. Haynes may be found on his website, SAGONGS.  There are several members here who collect the medals of India and they may be of assistance, however, I do think you should attempt to contact Mr. Haynes at the site I have provided as there are many  knowledgable members there who may be able to assist you.

Regards

Brian

 

[peter monahan]

I second Brian's advice: Ed Haynes is your best bet.  And, sadly, a good bit of luck will be required, as there are no central registries or sources for such medlas.  Well done, too, sir, for your aim to re-build an importnat family icon!

Peter

[Sahil117]

@Brian Wolfe 

@peter monahan

Brian and Peter- I appreciate your replies, truly. I've been looking to contact @Ed_Haynes on Twitter, Facebook etc. Thank you for directing me to his website, of which i had no idea. I'll try reaching him there as well.

Brian, you mentioned that there are several other members, besides Mr Haynes of course, who may be able to help me with the Indian duo- 'Videsh Seva Medal with clasp United Arab Republic', for service in the Gaza Strip in 1964, and the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, 'Raksha Medal', that I am searching for. Any particular leads that come to mind?

Peter, thanks for the luck wishes! Lets hope before long, I am able to post a picture here of the completed set, occupying its rightful place along with the other family medals.

Sahil.

[Megan]

Sahil, as I am a friend of Ed Haynes, I've told him about what you have been writing here. He can be a bit erratic in his responsiveness but hopefully he'll surface soon and talk to you.

[Sahil117]

2 hours ago, Megan said:

Sahil, as I am a friend of Ed Haynes, I've told him about what you have been writing here. He can be a bit erratic in his responsiveness but hopefully he'll surface soon and talk to you.

@Megan

Location: Earth. Nice! (: Many thanks. 

[Brian Wolfe]

He'll Sahil,

I never give out specific members names in case they consider that not my place to do so. I consider Ed a long time friend and I am confident he would not mind me taking that presumption. Good luck in you search and please keep us informed of your progress.

Warmest regards

Brian

[lone wolf]

On 05/10/2017 at 19:24, Sahil117 said:

@Brian Wolfe 

@peter monahan

Brian and Peter- I appreciate your replies, truly. I've been looking to contact @Ed_Haynes on Twitter, Facebook etc. Thank you for directing me to his website, of which i had no idea. I'll try reaching him there as well.

Brian, you mentioned that there are several other members, besides Mr Haynes of course, who may be able to help me with the Indian duo- 'Videsh Seva Medal with clasp United Arab Republic', for service in the Gaza Strip in 1964, and the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, 'Raksha Medal', that I am searching for. Any particular leads that come to mind?

Peter, thanks for the luck wishes! Lets hope before long, I am able to post a picture here of the completed set, occupying its rightful place along with the other family medals.

Sahil.

Woah too many posts, didn't even realized I logged in after good 5 years

Sahi, it's a nice thought however getting hold of a unnamed videsh Seva Medal will be difficult as maximum number of times they are awarded via regiments and many a times quarter masters are in charge of naming them, since you are serving in armed forces you may find one of you have good connects.

Raksha Medal medal is tricky, let me see if I have any in spare I do remember picking a lot of 20 from Chennai based dealer.

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Sahil,

I can't help you on the further contacts request, however, perhaps those interested in Indian medals may read these posts and come to your rescue.

Regards

Brian

 

[lone wolf]

Hi Brian,

You are a respected & learned senior collector and you surely know more people in the hobby then we newbies would know.

 We would for sure need your guidance and help

Regards

Amit

[peter monahan]

Lone Wolf

I'm guessing from your comments, and your location, if I've puzzled it out correctly, that you may be close to some sources for IA medals as well.  Thanks for your generous offer, and please do stick around to offer your views on similar posts!

Peter

[lone wolf]

For sure Peter,

Yes you are spot on, I am based in India, with my primary collection theme as post 1947 Indian Army, state and police medals.

It's always a pleasure to help fellow collectors as I have been helped by many time and again, if I can be a help to anyone it will be nice