*British, 1897-98, Queen Victoria India Medal, with Tirah and Punjab Frontier Clasps, awarded to 4644 Pte A. Harden 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment*
A Victorian India Campaign Medal with Tirah and Punjab Frontier Clasps awarded to 4644 Pte Alfred Harden 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. The obverse showing a profile of Queen Victoria and the reverse a British and Indian Soldier together.
The India Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1896 for officers and men of the British and Indian armies. It was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India, primarily on the North-West Frontier from 1895 to 1902, replacing the India General Service Medal (1854).
The medal was issued in silver to soldiers of the British and Indian armies and in bronze to native bearers and servants. The obverse features Queen Victoria’s profile. The reverse, designed by G. W. de Saulles, depicts a British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard with the inscription “India 1895,” although the Edward VII version omits the date. The 1.25-inch (32 mm) wide ribbon consists of five equal stripes of red, green, red, green, and red.
Pte Alfred Harden from Hawkhurst, Kent, was 18 and 2 months when he joined 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment 24th May 1894. He was awarded the Campaign medal 1897-98. Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Service Records.
Clasps:
Punjab Frontier 1897–98 – 10 June 1897 – 6 April 1898
Tirah 1897–98 – 2 October 1897 – 6 April 1898
The Royal Sussex Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that was in existence from 1881 to 1966. The 107th Regiment of Foot (previously Honourable East India Company's "3rd Bengal European Light Infantry till 1862) became the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment in 1881. From 1882 they was stationed at Malta. They then moved to India in 1885 and took part in the Hazara Expedition in 1888 and the North-West Frontier campaign 1897–1898. The battalion stayed in India until late 1902, when it returned home after more than 20 years′ foreign service.
*Condition*
Good used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
