There Has Been Some Speculation In The Indian Press That

There has been some speculation in the Indian press that these medals were reported stolen in 2002. As stated from the outset in our catalogue description, which is available .included with the medals is a sworn affidavit by the widow of Naik Kirpa Ram, Smt Brami Devi, relinquishing ownership of the George Cross and other medals to another party. It can be seen that this affidavit, which bears her fingerprints, is dated April 2000, some two years before the report of the theft. We take very seriously any claims in respect of stolen property and as is usual in cases like this we are making strenuous investigations to clarify rightful ownership of the property prior to any sale taking place. Nimrod Dix Managing Director

A Collection of Medals to the Indian Army the property of a retired Indian Army officer Description A rare posthumous George Cross group of four to Naik Kirpa Ram, 8th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, the only such award to a ‘Piffer’ George Cross (No. 15634 Naik Kirpa Ram, I.A., 15 March, 1946) naming officially engraved on reverse, contained in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal; India Service Medal, these last four officially impressed (15634 Nk. Kirpa Ram, F.F. Rif.) very fine (5) £20000-25000 Footnote G.C. London Gazette 15 March 1946. ‘The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to:- No. 15634 Naik Kirpa Ram, 8th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army.’ The War Office recommendation states: ‘At Thondebhavi on 12th November 1945, Naik Kirpa Ram was commanding a section on a field-firing exercise. He was lying close to a Sepoy who was firing grenades from a discharger-cup, the remainder of his section being in position beside him. The third grenade to be fired fell short and landed only about 8 yards in front of the section position. Naik Kirpa Ram saw at a glance that if it exploded there many of his section would be killed or wounded. Without a moment’s hesitation he leapt up and dashed forward shouting as he did so to the men of his section, “Get back and take cover”. He picked up the grenade, but before he could throw it into a place where it could cause no damage, it exploded. The main force of the explosion was taken by his body, and he died of wounds

shortly afterwards. As a result of his act only two men of his section were slightly wounded. Naik Kirpa Ram knowing full well the possible consequences, risked his life in order to save those of the men under his command. His fine spirit of sacrifice and devotion to duty will ever be remembered in his regiment and will be a constant source of inspiration to all ranks.’ Naik Kirpa Ram was born in 1918 in the village of Bharpal in the Bilaspur district of Punjab Hills, now known as Himachal Pradesh. He came from the Dogra Rajput clan, an ancient Aryan race that inhabit the Northern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Dogras have a long tradition of military service and in the early days of the British Empire they wore beards, as a result of which they were erroneously known as ‘Hill Sikhs’. The first all Dogra regiment to be formed in the British Indian Army was in 1846 as part of the Frontier Brigade (The Punjab Frontier Force). Kirpa Ram hailed from a military family, his father Mussadi Ram having served with the 57th Wilde’s Rifles (Frontier Force) in France during the Great War. Kirpa Ram enlisted in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles on 9 January 1935, at the age of seventeen. After his initial training with 10th (Training Battalion) 13th Frontier Force Rifles, he was transferred to the 6th Royal Battalion (Scinde) 13th Frontier Force Rifles and saw field service from 2 June to 15 December, 1937, in Waziristan against the Fakir of Ipi. On raising of the 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1940, which was to comprise a company each of Dogras, Sikhs and Pathans, Kirpa Ram was transferred to the Dogra Company of the 8/13th F.F. Rifles. During the Second World War Kirpa Ram saw action against the Japanese with his battalion in the Eastern theatre. The 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles had a splendid fighting record as is evident by their battle/theatre honours and awards: North Arakan, Kaladan, Mayu Tunnels, Maugdaw, Arakan Beaches, Ramree, Burma 1942-45. Kirpa Ram's wife Brahmi Devi was only 13 years old when she went to receive the posthumous award of her late husband (she had been betrothed to Kirpa Ram, as was custom in those days, at the tender age of eleven). The George Cross was received by Brahmi Devi on 1 January 1946, and presented by Field Marshal Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, on behalf of King George VI. She was accompanied by Major R. W. Niven who was Commandant of the 8/13th Frontier Force Rifles at the time Naik Kirpa Ram’s brave sacrifice. Brahmi Devi went back to the village of Bharpal in the Himalayan Foothills; she never remarried and as a devoted daughter in law looked after Kirpa Ram’s aged parents till their demise some years ago. Thereafter she has lived alone on the pension of her late husband and the small patch of land and cottage that was left to her. Although uneducated, she has been active in social work and donated part of her land to build a dispensary which was lacking in the village.

The group is sold with the recipient’s ‘13 F.F.R.’ cap badge, an original group photograph (the only one known of the recipient), and two original affidavits confirming the passing of legal title of the G.C. from his widow in April 2000.