INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL
(TIRAH 1897-98)
(SAMANA 1897)
(PUNJAB FRONT'R 1897-98)






To:
3124. Pte Bernard Curran, No.9 Mountain Battery (Rawalpindi) Royal Artillery. An unusual & seldom seen unit. Very Rare to non-native troops.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Born April 1872 in Strangford near Downpatrick Co Down. The 1911 census still shows him as a 39 year old single gunner for 9th Mountain Battery Royal Artillery. According to Army Pension records later he joins the Army Reserve in Belfast in October 1914 at 42 years and 6 months and records his occupation as a groom after his 18 years military service.

(MAJOR GENERAL Sir William Lockhart, GCB KCSI, Commander in Chief)

[HISTORICAL BACKGROUND]
The 3rd Brigade under Brigadier-General Kempster began its attack on the Dargai heights at 10 a.m., by a concentrated artillery fire from No.8 Mountain Battery Royal Artillery, and No.1 (Kohat) and No.5 (Bombay) Mountain Batteries, these being posted slightly in advance of the kotal. No.9 Mountain Battery Royal Artillery, assisted by shelling the enemys sangars from the Samana Suk.The attack was led by the 1st Battalion 2nd Gurkhas, supported by the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion Derbyshire Regiment was in reserve, followed by the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. By 11-30 A.M. the above force was in formation, under cover, in readiness to capture the heights, but when the 2nd Gurkhas, accompanied by the Gurkha scouts of the 1st Battalion 3rd Gurkhas, made their first rush across the open, they were met by such a hot and well-aimed fire that all they could do was to hold on to the position they had reached, without being able to advance further.

A VERY NICE EXAMPLE IN EF ( slight edge bump to reverse rim)
The medal is totally original & uncleaned and has developed a superb jet-black-glossy tone. An unusual & seldom seen unit. A Rare Three Clasp award to a non-native soldier.
New to the market direct from the family.With full service papers & copy medal rolls confirming the three clasps.

CURRENTLY RESEARCHING.