Description
Africa General Service Medal, 2 bars, Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi, 3983 Sepoy Shah Bahram, 27th Punjabis.
Officially impressed: “3983 Sepoy Shah Bahram 27/Punjabis”
Confirmed on the medal roll for both clasps.
The 27th Punjabis served in the Third Somaliland Campaign, earning the Somaliland 1902-04.
During the campaign, some of them took part in the Battle of Jidballi on 10th January 1904, when the British force numbering about 2,200 soldiers took on a Dervish position with about 5,000 fighters.
During the actual battle, the force under Egerton was deployed into a square. The front face was made up of the 52nd Sikhs and Mountain Guns. On the right face were the King’s African Rifles and Sappers, also covering the right rear.
On the left side and the left rear were the Hampshire Regiment and the 27th Punjabis.
A good summary of the battle from the eyes of the Hampshire Regiment, who stood shoulder to shoulder with the 27th Punjabis where they lost Lt Charles Henry Bowden-Smith in the fighting can be read below on Britainssmallwars.co.uk:
http://www.britainssmallwars.co.uk/third-somaliland-campaign-1904.html
