This Day in History: 1897-11-16

The 1st Battalion, fighting the Tirah campaign on the North-West Frontier, were reinforced by a company from each of the Gordon Highlanders and Dorsetshire Regiment and No 8 (British) Mountain Battery. They were deployed on Column rearguard duties and ordered to take up a position between their camp at Maidan and Tseri Kan Dao (Oak Tree Pass). The Main Body departed at 09.00hrs and the piquets were withdrawn without loss, but the rearguard was much delayed because of the difficulty the baggage animals had in climbing the steep ascent. This offered the enemy opportunities to harass the rearguard. Lieutenant Wylie and 3 Goorkhas were killed and 4 were wounded. By 16.00hrs the Battalion was clear of the pass but the Goorkhas were exhausted.

Lieutenant Wylie’s Indian General Service Medal, which was sold at auction in the UK on 18 November 2020 for £1900.