POST WW1 BRITISH GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 2 BARS IRAQ & KURDISTAN 87TH PUNJABIS

Offered is an original 1918 - 62 General Service Medal. 36mm wide circular silver medal with claw and ornate scroll swivel ribbon bar with original ‘IRAQ’ and ‘KURDISTAN’ clasps; tthe face with the head of King George V facing left, circumscribed ‘GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND : IMP:’(George V King of Great Britain and Emperor of India), signed ‘BM’ (for Sir Bertram Mackennal, 1863-1931) on the base of the neck; the reverse with a standing winged Victory with Greek helmet, an upright trident in her left hand, a laurel wreath in her right hand crowning an upright winged sword, signed ‘E.C.R.P.’; impressed named on rim to 1773 NK. LAL KHAN, 87 PJBS.; one small edge knock at 6 O'clock (reverse), light wear, but bright/crisp details, on the correct ribbon.

The General Service Medal 1918-62 was instituted in 1923 as a general service medal similar to the Naval General Service Medal 1915-1962 and to be awarded for minor conflicts for which no other specific campaign medal is awarded. It was always awarded with a clasp indicating the area for which the medal was awarded. Subsequent service is recognised by the award of further clasps to be worn on the original medal.

The clasp Iraq was presented to those who either served at Ramadi or north of a line east and west through Ramadi between 10 December 1919 and 13 June 1920 or were part of an establishment within Iraq between 1 July and 17 November 1920.

The clasp Kurdistan was presented to those who either served:

*At Kirkuk or north of a line east and west through Kirkurk between 23 May and 31 July 1919. At Dohok or north of a line east and west through Dohok between 14 July and 7 October 1919.

*North of the advanced bases near Akra and Amadia between 7 November and 6 December 1919.

The 1924 Army Order No. 387 and Army Instruction (India) No. 132 of 1925 extended eligibility for this clasp to cover further operations in Kurdistan:

*Operations under Air Marshal Sir J.M. Salmond or Colonel Commandant B. Vincent between 19 March and 18 June 1923 or operations under Colonel Commandant H.T. Dobbin between 27 March and 28 April 1923.