Medals of the Third Afghan War, 1919

  

International Electronic Phaleristic Encyclopedia

by Edward S. Haynes
(© 2002)

       

This page focuses on the awards of the Third Afghan War, 1919.

The phaleristic history of Afghanistan – like the remainder of its history – is complex and at places vague. What is presented here is almost inexpressively preliminary, but – as Afghan awards almost totally unknown – “something is better than nothing”.  Details and corrections are welcomed.

This page represents a considerable amount of effort and original research work and users are requested (under terms of both copyright and normal academic usage) to make reference to this page (i.e. link it as a whole) rather that extract and “borrow” information. Thank you.

India General Service Medal, 1908-1935, clasp "Afghanistan NWF / 1919"

The medal was established on 1 January 1909 as a new India General Service Medal for King Edward VII. Only one clasp ("North West Frontier 1908") was issued before his death and the medal was redesigned for his son, King George V, and issued first with the "Abor 1911-12" clasp. Following the tradition of earlier India General Service Medals, these medals were issued in bronze for non-combatant troops and in silver for combatant troops. This distinction would be resolved in later issues, including the clasp under focus here, and all subsequent soldiers would receive silver medals (or none at all), regardless of their assignment.

This issue of the medal shows, on the obverse, the crowned and robed head of King George V, facing left, with the legend "GEORGIVS V KAISAR-I-HIND" or "George V Emperor of India". The reverse shows (as it did for King George's father) the Jamrud Fort (in the Khyber Pass) with the legend "INDIA" below and below that a wreath. The medal is almost always named on the edge in impressed capitals. The ribbon is dark blue with broad green edges.

The "Afghanistan NWF / 1919" clasp was awarded for service in the Third Afghan War, from 6 May 1919 to 8 August 1919. In total, twelve clasps would be awarded for this medal over its lifetime.

Around 12,500 clasps were awarded to a large number of both Indian and British regiments, including:

Gallantry decorations for the campaign:

 

Patiala

Uniquely among Britain's allies from among the "Princely" States who provided troops for the 1919 war with Afghanistan, the Punjab Phulkian State of Patiala also issued its own campaign medal for this service.

 

Nepal

The 2nd Rifle Regiment also served with British forces in this war. There was, as was habitual, no separate Nepali medal for this service and they received, instead, only medals from their British allies.

 

Relevant Afghan medals are listed on the main page for Afghan medals, linked below.

 

Medals of Afghanistan

Awards for Service in Afghanistan

First Afghan War, 1839-42

Second Afghan War, 1878-80

Third Afghan War, 1919

Fourth Afghan War, 1979-89

Fifth Afghan War, 2001—

Sources

Chhina, Rana, The Indian Distinguished Service Medal ([New Delhi]: Invicta India, [2001])

Gordon, L. L., British Battles and Medals, 4th ed., revised by Edward C. Joslin (London: Spink & Son Ltd., 1971)

Haynes, Edward S., "The Indian Order of Merit (1837-1947)," http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/india/medals/IOM/IOM.html

Head, Richard, and Tony McClenaghan, Armies of the Indian Princely States, 5 volumes to date ([Milton Keynes: The Military Press, 1998-????])

Hinson, Paul, "1919 -- The Third Afghan War: An Introduction," http://www.magweb.com/sample/smwa/safgh.htm

Hypher, P. P., comp., Deeds of Valour Performed by Indian Officers and Soldiers, during the Period from 1860 to 1925 (Simla: Army Department, 1927)

Joslin, E. C., A. R. Litherland, and B. T. Simpkin, British Battles & Medals (London: Spink, 1988)

McClenaghan, Tony, Indian Princely Medals: A Record of the Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Indian Princely States (New Delhi: Lancer Publishers, [1996]), and subsequent updates from the author

Mills, T. F., "Third Anglo-Afghan War, 1919," http://www.regiments.org/milhist/wars/20thcent/19afghan.htm

"Third Anglo-Afghan War" (On War), http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/alpha/afguk1919.htm

The assistance of the following is gratefully acknowledged:

http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/medals/Afghan/third.html
last revised 1 November 2002
Ed Haynes

 

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