Honorary Lieut. Dost Muhammad Khan was an outstanding cavalry officer who served for some 25 years. He was the highest decorated Indian soldier of the 18th Bengal Lancers from 1858 to 1921 He was awarded the O.B.I. for France 1917; The I.O.M., 3rd Class for South Africa 1900 and the IDSM for Persia in 1910
Risaldar Dost Muhammed. Khan, was a Kakra Tiwana from Mitha Tiwana. He entered the service on 24/3/1896 aged 17. His first service was on the Samana and in the operations of the flying Column in the Kurram Valley under Col. Richardson, 20th August to 1st October 1897.
He sailed from Bombay with Lieutenant Maxwell aboard the “Purnea” on the 20th January bound for Durban with 220 horses for the Mounted Infantry.
At Sananh’s post, 30th, March 1900, the regiment (Robert’s Horse) was retiring under heavy fire from the Kroon Spruit. Having been with the leading squadron in the advance, I was somewhat in the rear of the regiment as it retired, my orderly, as always with me. Seeing a man fall (his horse being killed) we went to his assistance. As the fire was heavy and the range close, about 150 yards, I ordered Sowar Dost Mahomed to go off after the regiment, fearing what might happen to him if wounded and captured. This however he refused to do in spite of my repeated order to him to go, but remained with me helping to keep my horse steady till the dismounted man was able to mount, when we retired together. Sowar Dost Mahomed’s horse was wounded during this action: and later he himself was wounded and very nearly captured owing to his devoted action in waiting for me till the last moment.
I would like to add that he was again wounded at Diamond Hill together with the horse he was holding.
No 1706 Sowar Dost Muhammed Khan, 18th Bengal Lancers, was admitted to the 3rd Class for conspicuous gallantry in action at Sanna's Post, South Africa on the 30th March 1900, on which occasion he, under a heavy rifle fire at close range, went with Lieutenant F.A. Maxwell to the assistance of a trooper of Robert's Horse whose horse had been killed, and helped him to mount and retire with the rest of the corps. Lieutenant Maxwell was awarded the Victoria Cross for the part he played in this action & for his gallantry in saving the guns of Q Battery Royal Horse Artillery.
Dafadar Dost Mohd. Khan had accompanied Lieutenant Maxwell to South Africa as his orderly & subsequently accompanied him to the United Kingdom to take part in the 1902 Coronation. Three British officers from this Regiment served in South Africa. Two British officers, a Jemadar & seventeen other ranks attended the 1902 Coronation.
He was commissioned Jemadar on 1/7/1907
Interestingly Dost Muhammad Khan won a further very rare gallantry award in 1911, when he earned the IDSM in fighting off an attack while escorting a British Consular official in Isfahan in what was then Persia.
His Excellency the Commander in Chief has read with extreme satisfaction the favourable report received by the Secretary of State for India bringing to his notice the gallant conduct of the escort of the 18th Tiwana Lancers which was attacked by robbers whilst accompanying Mr.J.H.Bell.
I am also to state that Jemadar Dost Muhammad Khan, Lance - Dafadar Murad Khan & Sowar Muhammad Khan have been noted for recognition, if possible, & that his Excellency desires that an entry be made in the sheet roll of every man of the escort as a record of his Excellency’s appreciation of the fact that when on a distant detachment & confronted with a difficult situation their conduct was such as to do credit to their regiment & to the Indian Army. Two Sowars were killed in this affair.
Jemadar Khan & the two other men mentioned were subsequently awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal. The 18th Lancers were awarded twenty seven such awards & one second award bar between 1907 & 1922, three of which were awarded for this action in Persia during 1910.
Further promotion to Ressaldar came on New Year’s Day 1911 the year he attended the Delhi Durbar
Further laurels were added to his illustrious career in the Great War, earning an Order of British India. Service during the Great War 1914 - 1920 including A.D.C. to the Commander In Chief. Promotion to Risaldar came in 14/8/1916,
A.R.O. Sargodha & finally being promoted to Honorary Lieutenant on his retirement on 5/4/1921
His medal group alas is not completely extant/intact. Some of his awards were obtained directly from source in the NWFP by the American career diplomat and well known IA collector Allan Woolf in the 1960's or 1970's.
