MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL POST WW1 INDIA ARMY 12th FRONTIER FORCE RIFLES 1935-36

Description

Offered is an original 1935-36 era Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal to a member of the 10th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Rifles.

36mm wide circular silver medal with claw and ornate scroll swivel ribbon bar; the face with the crowned head and shoulders portrait of King George V facing left in coronation robes, circumscribed ‘GEORGIUS V D G BRITT. OMN. REX ET INDIÆ IMP’ (George V by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India); the reverse with the wording INDIA, surrounded by a small wreath, surrounded by the legend FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE, with a continuous border of lotus flowers and leaves round the border of the medal; attributed on the edge to 1281 HAV. MILKHA SING, 10-12 F. F. R. (a couple of minor edge knocks as pictured); on original ribbon.

Established on 27 July 1888, the Indian Meritorious Service Medal could be awarded to one Daffadar or Havildar of each of the regiments of the Presidency armies. To be awarded the medal men must have served at least 18 years and had performed in a meritorious manner, with no court-martials, and having been entered in the defaulters book fewer than five times. He must also have been recommended by his commanding officer. Recipients of the Indian Meritorious Service Medal had to surrender any previously awarded Indian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.