Campaign Groups and Pairs 287
Four: Brigadier R. G. Mountain, D.S.O., M.C., 10/10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army, who won the M.C. for gallantry in Mesopotamia in 1918, and the D.S.O. for services in the Mohmand campaign of 1933; he was captured in North Africa in June 1942 when commanding 25th Indian Brigade and was mentioned in despatches for services as a Prisoner of War
British War and Victory Medals Capt. R. G. Mountain.); India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (Capt. R. G. Mountain. 5-10 Baluch. R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Major R. G. Mountain, 10-10 Baluch. R.) very fine or better (4)
£600-£800
D.S.O. London Gazette 3 July 1934: ‘For distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with military operations against the Upper Mohmands, period July-October, 1933:- Major Ronald Gervase Mountain, M.C., 5th Battalion (King George’s Own) (Jacob’s Rifles), 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army.’
M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘Lt. (A./Capt.) Ronald Gervase Mountain, 127th Baluchistan Light Infantry, attd. 2/12th Baluchistan Infy. (MESOPOTAMIA) For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in an attack with great courage and dash, though wounded in the leg. Later, in an exposed salient of a captured trench, which was heavily swept by fire from front and flank, he collected five Lewis guns and brought a harassing fire to bear on an enemy strong point, thereby greatly assisting another attack made later in the day.’
M.I.D. London Gazette 3 July 1934 (Mohmand 1933); 24 January 1946 (Services as P.O.W.).
Ronald Gervase Mountain was born at Caistor, Lincolnshire, on 16 January 1897. He attended Quetta Cadet College and was appointed Second Lieutenant on the Unattached List, Indian Army, on 15 November 1915. Initially posted to the 127th Baluchistan Light Infantry, he was by 1916 attached to the 124th D.C.O. Baluchistan Infantry. He served during the Great War in Iraq, 28 August 1916 to 21 May 1918, and with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 5 June to 21 October, 1918 (M.C.).
He afterwards saw much action on the North West Frontier, firstly in Waziristan 1921-24, and then the North West Frontier operations of 1930. He was appointed a Company Commander in August 1931 and promoted Major on 15 November 1933. He saw action during the Mohmand operations of 1933 and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. He was again in action during the North West Frontier (Mohmand) operations of 1935, and the North West Frontier operations of 1936-37.
He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and commanding officer of the 10/10th Baluch Regiment on 17 July 1938, a position he held until 1 February 1941, when he was promoted Acting Brigadier and appointed to command the 25th Indian Brigade of the newly raised Indian 10th Infantry Division. As part of Iraqforce, he commanded the brigade during the war in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. As part of Paiforce, he commanded the 25th Indian Brigade attached to the Indian 8th Infantry Division during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia.
When the Indian 10th Infantry Division was moved to North Africa in June 1942, he commanded the 25th Indian Brigade stationed at Gambut, half way between Halfaya and Tobruk. They then retreated to Mersa Matruh where, on 26 June, they turned to fight. They were bypassed by the enemy and on 28 June the Division was ordered to break out. Soon afterwards Brigadier Mountain was taken prisoner of war and interned in Italy. In 1943 he was transferred to Germany where he stayed for the remainder of the war. He was mentioned in despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services as a prisoner of war in January 1946. He retired as a Colonel and honorary Brigadier in July 1947.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212
