Description
India General Service Medal, 1936 type, bar North West Frontier 1936-37, 4389102 Pte. G. Souter, 2nd Battalion Green Howards.
Officially impressed: “4389102 Pte. G. Souter. Green Howards.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, which records 2nd Bn Green Howards.
He is also noted on the roll for the next awarded clasp, earning the clasp “N.W.F. 1937-39”, which was issued separately.
The roll was written as Ferozepore on 7th October 1941, after the issue of this medal had been arranged, the roll noting that: “All persons mentioned here are in possession of the IGS Medal 1936, with clasp N.W.F. 1936/37”.
In the lead up to World War 2, the 2nd Battalion Green Howards had been stationed in India where they earned this medal, continuing on service in the “North West Frontier” the men still serving would add the 1937-39 clasp.
Following this they were posted to Burma as part of the 26th Indian Infantry Division and the 82nd West Africa Division.
The medal roll which was written in India during October 1941, notes who had been sent back to the UK and who was still serving with the regiment. Souter is noted as still with the regiment, so likely went on to Burma to take part in the jungle fighting.
The 2nd Green Howards saw the following service during the War.
Ferozepore Brigade Area – 3 September 1939 to October 1941
The battalion was located in Ferozepore under the Ferozepore Brigade Area until October 1941. (Souter confirmed on the medal roll as present at Ferozepore during this time, whilst many of his comrades had returned back to the UK)
Jubbulpore Brigade Area – November 1941 to October 1942
In October 1941 it moved to Jubbulpore for one year on internal security duties.
Razmak Brigade – October 1942 to 20 December 1943
The battalion served under the brigade at Razmak. It was mobilized on December 1st, 1942.
Peshawar Brigade – 20 December 1943 to 3 May 1944
The 2nd Green Howards served at Peshawar.
116th Indian Infantry Brigade – 3 May 1944 to 17 September 1944
It served under the brigade in Ranchi then moved to Lohardaya in July 1944. The battalion left for the Arakan on September 17th, 1944.
4th Indian Infantry Brigade – 22 September 1944 to 17 April 1945
It then came under 4th Indian Infantry Brigade at Bawli Bazaar in the Arakan on September 22nd, 1944.
4th (West African) Infantry Brigade – Attached – 17 April 1945 to 12 July 1945
It operated under the brigade in the Arakan. It left Ramree Island in the Arakan on June 28th for Madras, leaving the brigade on July 12th.
Meerut District – Central Command – 27 July 1945 to 31 August 1945
It arrived in Meerut on July 27th, where it was located for the remainder of the war.
