The Macgregor Memorial Medal for 1915 awarded to Captain F. C. Waterfield, 45th Rattray’s Sikhs

The MacGregor Memorial Medal, obverse; bust of major General Sir Charles MacGregor, K.C.B., C.S.I., C.I.E.; reverse: soldiers of the Indian Army, named on edge (Awarded in 1915 to Captain F. C. Waterfield, 45th Rattray’s Sikhs. For valuable reconnaissance work) 70mm., silver, unmounted, edge bruising, good very fine £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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The MacGregor Memorial Medal was founded in 1888 as a Memorial to the late Major-General Sir Charles MacGregor, as an award for outstanding military reconnaissance of exploration, in the remote areas of India or on its frontiers, which produced new information of value to the defence of India. Most journeys involved considerable risk. Hazards could include hostile tribes, armed brigands, extremes of climate, harsh terrain, or dangerous animals. It was envisaged that two awards would be made annually; a large silver medal to officers, and a small silver medal to other ranks. If there were no deserving cases in a particular year, no award would be made, and in a few years an additional award was ‘specially awarded’, as in the case of this recipient. For specially valuable work a gold medal of the smaller size could be awarded whenever the Council deemed it desirable.

The MacGregor Memorial Medal is the only exclusively military award, instituted during British rule, which continues to be granted to the Republic of India’s armed forces. The criteria of endeavour for both officers and other ranks to become eligible for the award have been rigorously upheld. In the one hundred years from its founding until 1987, only 114 awards have been made: 7 in gold, 59 large silver medals to officers, and 48 small silver medals to non-commissioned officers and other ranks.

Frederick Charles Waterfield entered the Indian Army on 22 January 1898. He served in the operations against the Boxers and was awarded the China Medal 1900. Served as a Double Company Officer in the 45th Rattray’s Sikhs from May 1900. Promoted to Captain in January 1907. Served in the operations on the N.W. Frontier, 1908 - in the Zakka Khel country and in the Mohmand country for which he was awarded the I.G.S. Medal and clasp. Recipient of the MacGregor Medal for valuable reconnaissance work in 1915.

Captain Waterfield, 45th Sikhs, died of wounds in France on 21 May 1915, aged 36 years. He was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. He was the youngest son of Major-General H. I. Waterfield (Indian Army) and Emily Scott Waterfield. With some copied research.