Mir Dast

Jemadar, 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) attached to 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)

VC
Register No.
875 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Jemadar all Jemadars →
Unit
55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) attached to 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force) all 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) VCs →
Date of action
26 April 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Conflict / campaign
First World War
London Gazette
29th June 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Born
3rd December 1874 at Maidan, Tirah, India
Died
24th June 1950 in Pakistan
Memorial / grave
not known

Digest of citation

At Ypres, Belgium, on 26th April 1915, Jemadar Mir Dast showed most conspicuous bravery when he led his platoon in the attack. When no British officers were left, he gathered the various parties of the Regiment, taking command until the retirement was ordered. On the same day, he again displayed remarkable courage in helping to get eight British and Indian officers to safety, all the time exposed to heavy fire

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

MIR DAST. (reg No. 875).

Jemadar. 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) attached to 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force).

London Gazetted on 29th June 1915.

Born on 3rd December 1874 at Maidan, Tirah, India.

Died on 24th June 1950 in Pakistan.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads At Ypres, Belgium, on 26th April 1915, Jemadar Mir Dast showed most conspicuous bravery when he led his platoon in the attack. When no British officers were left, he gathered the various parties of the Regiment, taking command until the retirement was ordered. On the same day, he again displayed remarkable courage in helping to get eight British and Indian officers to safety, all the time exposed to heavy fire.

Additional information:. Subadar Mir Dast, was also awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) in 1908 for gallantry during the Mohmand campaign. On 3rd June 1916 he received the Order of British India (OBI .) He saw service on North West Frontier 1897-98 (Tochi, Medal and Clasp) and again 1901-02 (Waziristan,Clasp) and once more in 1908 (Mohmand, Medal and Clasp) and in the European War (WW1) he served in France from 19th January, 1915 and was attached to the 57th Rifles taking part in the action at Neuve Chapelle and the second Battle of Ypres. Although he had been gassed, he continued to carry out his duties until June 1915 when he was wounded and transported to England. On 19th October 1915 he was sent back to India, rejoining his regiment. He was placed on pension on 22nd September 1917 after he failed to recover fully from the gassing.

Additional information

Subadar Mir Dast, was also awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) in 1908 for gallantry during the Mohmand campaign. On 3rd June 1916 he received the Order of British India (OBI .) He saw service on North West Frontier 1897-98 (Tochi, Medal and Clasp) and again 1901-02 (Waziristan,Clasp) and once more in 1908 (Mohmand, Medal and Clasp) and in the European War (WW1) he served in France from 19th January, 1915 and was attached to the 57th Rifles taking part in the action at Neuve Chapelle and the second Battle of Ypres. Although he had been gassed, he continued to carry out his duties until June 1915 when he was wounded and transported to England. On 19th October 1915 he was sent back to India, rejoining his regiment. He was placed on pension on 22nd September 1917 after he failed to recover fully from the gassing.

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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known

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