A ‘Defence of Chitral’ ‘V.C. action’ I.O.M. pair awarded to Naick Nain Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type, 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, reverse with central nut fitting and engraved in three lines, ‘3rd / Class / Order of Merit’, unnamed, with silver buckle on ribbon, slight enamel damage; India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Chitral 1895 (408 Naick Nain Singh, 4th Kashmir Rifles) mounted for wear, contact marks, edge bruising, good fine (2)
£3000-3500

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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Awarded the I.O.M. 3rd Class by G.G.O. No. 743 of 1895. 'The undermentioned Indian Officers, non-commissioned officers and men admitted to the 3rd class, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion exhibited by them during the defence of the Fort at Chitral between the 3rd March and the 19th April 1895.'

On 3 March 1895, the garrison of Chitral made a sortie under Captain Baird. When about one and a half miles from the fort, Baird was mortally wounded. Surgeon-Captain Harry Frederick Whitchurch went to his assistance, accompanied by a small number of Goorkhas and men of the 4th Kashmir Rifles, amongst whom was Naik Nain Singh. Baird was placed in a dooly but on the return journey three of the bearers were killed and a fourth was seriously wounded, so Captain-Surgeon Whitchurch took the injured man on his back and carried him for some distance. The rescue party was fired on incessantly but managed to get back to the fort, and nearly all were wounded. Sadly, just as they reached the fort, Baird was hit for the third time - a bullet hitting him in the face and he died the next day. During the action Nain was very seriously wounded by gunshot. For his heroic efforts and great bravery in making the rescue, Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch was awarded the Victoria Cross; Naik Nain Singh was awarded the Indian Order of Merit 3rd Class.

With copied research.