TOPIC:

An addendum to post #14895 on page 10 of this thread.
25. Under paragraph 1099 (ii), Army Regulations, India, Volume II, Part A, a follower, who
is in possession of a bronze medal, is permitted, on subsequent enlistment as a soldier, to
exchange his bronze medal for a silver one, on paying for the latter.
This privilege, however, applies only in the cases of medals granted for Indian
campaigns, and the question has now been raised whether a similar concession might not be
allowed in the cases of medals granted for campaigns outside of India, such as the operations
carried out in the African Protectorates, in South Africa and in China. Bearing in mind the
growing tendency to employ Indian troops beyond the limits of India, we are of the opinion
that a concession in this direction would be only just to the Indian Army by whom it would be
highly appreciated. We accordingly recommend that the provisions of paragraph 1099, Army
Regulations, India, Volume II, Part A, may be made applicable in the case of medals granted
for campaigns outside of India.


Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 23rd ultimo, No. M.7045., forwarding an Extract
of a despatch from the Government of India, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War
to acquaint you for the information of Lord George Hamilton, that Mr Brodrick concurs with
the proposal therein contained, that an Indian Follower, who has received a bronze medal for
a Campaign outside of India, shall be permitted to exchange the bronze medal for a silver one
on payment, on subsequently enlisting as a soldier.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Under Secretary of State,
India Office,
S.W.

The premise that silver medals were issued to replace bronze medals issued in error may not be only reason. It seems that on enlistment you were able, at a cost, "to up grade" to a silver medal.

David,

Up for auction at Kaplan's next week is the bronze QSA to

N028 Bhisti Masik Khan S and T Corps VF+ 2200

This is a fascinating medal. Great that it is described wrongly. The correct details are

428 Bhisti Nasir Khan of the Bhisti Corps, Rawal Pindi District, Punjab Command (WO 100/298 p 300-315)

Nasir is entitled to the clasps for Cape Colony. Last sold by Kaplan in 1978. This is the only Bhistie that I know of with impressed naming. All other impressed named bronze QSA's belong to Ordinance, Servants and Hospital Corps. Prior to WWI there was no impressing machine in Calcutta so all were done in London. This naming is more haphazard than the ones seen from the mint. A large number of medals from this unit were returned, unclaimed but not this one. I would keen to know if this medal has been skimmed. Certainly a story here somewhere. Late replacement from India?

David,

That's fascinating. I didn't know of any impressed medals to Indian men.

What a shame this medal can't talk!

My two from the Bhisti Corps, Rawal Pindi District, Punjab Command. The top one is the more normal cursive script as seen to Indian Troops. The lower a silver medal replacing a bronze medal as per post 24188 vide supra The silver medal issued from London the bronze named in Calcutta

More usual impressed naming of bronze QSAs that I have in my collection





All named in London on a machine more familiar to us.

Just as an aside, notation in the top right of the roll indicates that the medals were named in London. Commonly seen on Silver Medal Rolls. Not often on Bronze Medal Rolls