A Great War ‘Western Front’ I.D.S.M. pair awarded to Naik Karam Dad, 1st Battalion, 89th Punjabis, who was wounded in action on 17 June 1915

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1485 Naik Karam Dad 89th Punjabis) engraved naming; Victory Medal 1914-19 (1485 Nk. Karam Dad. 1-89 Pjbis.) the first cleaned, otherwise good very fine (2) £400-£500

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916:
‘For gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Indian Army Corps in France and Flanders.’

Karam Dad served with the 1st Battalion, 89th Punjabis during the Great War - the Regiment first saw action in Egypt and at Gallipoli, before joining the Ferozepore Brigade of the Lahore Division on the Western Front at the beginning of June 1915. He is recorded in the regimental history as having been wounded in action on 17 June 1915, on which date the History records that enemy snipers caused casualties in the trenches (and presumably this is how he was wounded). His battalion was transferred to Mesopotamia at the end of 1915. Only 7 awards of the I.D.S.M. were made to his regiment for service on the Western Front in 1915.

Sold with copied research.