WPS2018 Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 Hi guys! I'm starting to collect British General Service Medals that have clasps pertaining to operations in the Middle East and S.E Asia. I made my first purchase (which I will post on this forum upon its arrival!), however, I am curious to know the rarity of these clasps and the amount that were awarded (if applicable) - Persian Gulf 1909-1914 - N.W Persia - S Persia - Kurdistan - N Kurdistan - Iraq - Southern Desert Iraq - South Arabia/Arabian Peninsula - Rafdan - Dhofar And feel free to fill in on other claps as well
QSAMIKE Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 I understand that the Southern Desert Iraq is very rare to the Royal Air Force....... Mike
Gunner 1 Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 A GSM with NW Persia clasp to a Captain, Royal Artillery. Only 11 RA officers received this as a single clasp. Group to a Royal Artillery officer with GSM and clasp South Persia. Only 15 RA officers received this clasp. Pair to a Royal Artillery Lieutenant with a GSM with Iraq and Kurdistan clasp. Only two GSMs with this clasp composition were awarded to RA officers.
Gunner 1 Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 British GSM with N Ireland and South Arabia clasps and Omani GSM with clasp Dhofar and Sultan's Commendation to an RA officer seconded to the First Regiment of Omani Artillery.
WPS2018 Posted January 10, 2016 Author Posted January 10, 2016 WOW! Fantastic groups Gunner! Thanks for sharing!
Gunner 1 Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 Group to a RA officer with GSM clasp Arabian Peninsula. GSM with clasps Northern Ireland and Dhofar to a RA officer who served with "Cracker Battery" during the Dhofar campaign.
peter monahan Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 A number of the bars were awarded largely to Indian Army troops. The S. Persia, for example, is known to three Indian infantry units, 30 Squadron RAF and a handful of British officesr and NCOs. The N. Kurdistan was awarded only to Iraq levies and 3 RAF squadrons, while the Iraq bar [1919-1920] was the only one awarded in large numbers, to members of three infantry divisions - about 2/3 Indian and 1/3 British, roughly - plus a Cavalry brigade and support and Lof C troops, so likely a couple thousand bars in all. My copy of Gordon's Battles and Medals [1962 edition] lists units for the bars but says in most cases that the lists are incomplete. Not sure what other sources would be better.
Gunner 1 Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 The medal rolls for all British Army recipients of clasps to the GSM up through Palestine 1945-48 are available for free download on the TNA website (as are all of the clasps to British Army recipients for the IGSM 1908 and IGSM 1936-39).
paul wood Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 On 10/01/2016 at 04:07, QSAMIKE said: I understand that the Southern Desert Iraq is very rare to the Royal Air Force....... Mike Even rarer to the 3/5th Mahratta Light Infantry. Which I am fortunate to own. Paul Here is his MIC
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