Orders, Decorations and Medals

Indian Order of Merit, 1st Class, Reward of Gallantry, 1939-45 issue, silver with centre in gold and enamels, the reverse officially engraved ‘1st Class Order of Merit’, good very fine and very rare £500-600

See Colour Plate IV

Most authorities state that only two 1st Class awards were given in this period although it is probable that a number more were given. It remains, nonetheless, a rare award.