A rare ‘Waziristan 1939’ D.S.O. group of twelve awarded to Lieutenant Colonel E. A. Evanson, Royal Irish Fusiliers and 17th Dogras, Indian Army

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., the reverse suspension bar officially dated ‘1940’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R. Ir. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lt./Capt.) the war medal, named ‘Lt’, was issued separately by the India Office; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Capt., 41 Dogras); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39, M.I.D. (Maj., 3-17 Dogra R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal; India Service Medal; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, some enamel damage to obverse centre of D.S.O., otherwise good very fine (12) £1400-1600

D.S.O. London Gazette 22 October 1940. ‘For distinguished services rendered in the field during operations in Waziristan for the period 1 January to 31 December 1939.’ This is the only D.S.O. awarded for services in Waziristan during this period.

Eric Ashley Evanson was born on 6 November 1890, and was commissioned into the 5th battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers on 15 December 1914. He went with the regiment to Gallipoli on 11 June 1915 and took part in the landings at Suvla where he was wounded. He served in France from April to October 1916 and was again wounded. Joined the Indian Army in October 1918 and served in Waziristan and Afghanistan 1919, and on the North West Frontier of India in 1930-31. For his services in Waziristan, North West Frontier 1937-39, he was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O.

The group is sold with a quantity of original documentation including, Warrant for the D.S.O. dated 25 October 1940, and signed by Anthony Eden; M.I.D. Certificates for Operations in Waziristan 1937-38 and for the North West Frontier of India 1939; Passport dated 1930 and renewed August 1940; Indian Driving Licence 1944; numerous photographs including some showing Major Evanson wearing his medals, also several group photographs; original Army Record of Service; several news cuttings covering the Dardanelles campaign and listing Evanson as wounded, and other documents relating to family members.