Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second Afghan War I.O.M. pair awarded to Sepoy Futteh Khan, 21st Punjab Native Infantry, for conspicuous gallantry in action at the Sarkai Kotal, during the defence of the Shutar Gardan Pass, on 14 October 1879, when he was severely wounded

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type (1837-1912), 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse with screw-nut fitting, officially inscribed on 3 lines ‘3rd Class “Order of Merit”’ and additionally engraved ‘Recruit Futteh Khan 21st Regt. N.I. 14. 10. 1879.’; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Sepoy Futteh Khan 21st Regt. N.I.) mounted on double silver brooch bar, very fine (2) £3,000-£3,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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I.O.M. 3rd Class G.G.O. 152 of 5 March 1880: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action at the Sarkai Kotal on the 14th October 1879.’

Recruit/Sepoy Futteh Khan was severely wounded by a gunshot on 14 October 1879 at Shuargarden.

On 25 September 1879, the 21st P.N.I. was relieved by the 20th P.N.I., and marched for the Shutargardan, where it arrived on the 30th, the rear-guard having been attacked by and having beaten off the enemy in the Hazardarakht defile en route. Remaining to form part of the garrison, the regiment took a prominent part in the action of the 2nd October, when the enemy’s attack on the Shutargardan was repulsed with the infliction of heavy loss; and again on the 14th it was engaged in the action of the Sarkai Kotal, when the enemy received another severe lesson, being beaten off and dispersed with great slaughter. During the 18th and 19th the Shutargardan was beseiged, some 15,000 of the enemy surrounding it, and keeping up a heavy but comparatively ineffective fire, till they retired on receipt of intelligence of the arrival of Brigadier-General Hugh Gough’s force at Kushi.