Description
India General Service Medal, 1908, bar Waziristan 1919-21, Subadar Damdar, 2nd 21st Punjabis. Rare to an Indian Commissioned Officer. Equivalent of a Captain.
Officially impressed: “Subdr Damdar 2-21 Pjbis”
At the time the Rank of Subedar in the Indian Infantry was the equivalent of a Captain, the 2nd highest achievable rank for an Indian Officer, below Subedar Major which was the equivalent of a Major.
In the Indian Army, unlike their British Counterparts, the Commissioned Officers ranks were mostly based on merit, and Subedar would typically start as a Sepoy and it could take at least 20 years of meritorious service to reach this rank.
The 2nd Battalion, 21st Punjabis was formed at Jubbulpore, Madhya Pradesh, India on 16th October 1917 and disbanded following the Waziristan campaign on 1st April 1922.
During 1919 as they joined the Waziristan Field Force, the battalion comprised of: 2 Companies of Punjabi Musalmans, 3/4 of a Company of Sikhs, 1/4 of a Company of Dogras and 1/2 Company of Pathans.
