Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War I.O.M. group of five awarded to Captain Rahim Ali, 1/125th Napier’s Rifles

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 2nd type, 2nd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse inscribed on two lines ‘2nd Class Order of Merit’ and additionally inscribed ‘Jemadar Rahim Ali 1/125th Napier’s Rifles’, complete with ribbon buckle but this lacking one prong; British War and Victory Medals (Jemdr. Rahim Ali, 1-125 N. Rfls.) the Victory Medal unnamed; Royal Victorian Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver (Sub. Maj. Rahim Ali, 5/6th Raj. Rif.); Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, central enamel chipped on first, good fine or better (5) £800-1000

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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I.O.M. Army Notification No. 631, 22 March 1919.

Citation as 2912 Colour-Havildar: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on 19th September 1918. This non-commissioned officer collected parties from various companies, re-organized them and continued to advance over three enemy trenches, although out of touch with his supports. His boldness and initiative undoubtedly contributed to the capture by a handful of our men of an enemy battery of howitzers, one field gun and the battery personnel, including its officers.’

Rahim Ali enrolled on 20 July 1912; Jemadar, 20 August 1918; Subadar, 1 August 1924; Subadar-Major, 11 November 1938; Order of British India, 2nd Class, 31 March 1938; Orderly Officer to H.M. The King for 1939; Order of British India, 1st Class, 1 January 1940; Hon. Lieutenant, 1 August 1940; Emergency Commission as 2nd Lieutenant, 1 March 1942; War Substantive Lieutenant, 1 March 1942; Acting Captain, 1 March 1942; Temporary Captain, 12 November 1943. Listed as Staff Officer, Staging Camps in Indian Army List for April 1945. Mentioned in despatches for Burma.

Rahim Ali served during the War of 1914-21: Egypt, August 1915; France, November 1914 to May 1915; Egypt, May 1915; Iraq, December 1915 to 1918; Egypt, January 1918 to 11 November 1918 (Wounded, I.O.M.). Served in Waziristan 1922-24.