‘Waziristan 1923-24’ MBE (Military), China Medal (Relief of Pekin), WW1, IGS (4 Clasps) and LS&GC Medal Group of Six – Major M. J. Dolan, Royal Engineers and Sappers and Miners

A ‘Waziristan 1923-24’ M.B.E. medal group of six awarded to Major Michael John Dolan, Royal Engineers and Sappers & Miners. 

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) (Military Division), 1st Type unnamed as issued, hallmarks for London 1919
China War Medal 1900 (Clasp – Relief of Pekin) named to 28207 Sergt. M.J. Dolan. R.E. 
British War Medal officially renamed to Capt. M.J. Dolan. 
WW1 Victory Medal named to Capt. M.J. Dolan 
1908 India General Service Medal (Clasps – Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24) named to Capt. M.J. Dola, 3 S & M. 
George V Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named to 28207 Q.M. Sjt:Instr: M.J. Dolan. R.E. 

The medals have minor contact marks but are generally in good condition. Please note that the BWM has been officially renamed. 

M.B.E. London Gazette 13th March 1925.
  ‘… for valuable services rendered in the field in connection with military operations in Waziristan, 21st April, 1923 to 31st March, 1924’. ‘Captain, Royal Engineers (Indian Army)’.

Michael John Dolan was born on 22nd January 1876. He enlisted into the Royal Engineers on 22nd May 1894. In December 1896 Dolan arrived in India where he was posted to the 4th Company Bengal Sappers and Miners. As a Sergeant, he served in the Third China War, landing at Sinho and arriving at Tientsin on 5th August 1900. The 4th Company Sappers and Miners who were involved in improving the defences at Tientsin and in charge of a supply convoy of junks sailing up the Paiho, reached Pekin on 20th August. From August 1900 – August 1901 they were involved in improving communications in the Legation Quarter, other work in Pekin and railway construction to the south of the city.

The Company returned to India in September 1901. In the years prior to the Great War, Dolan was appointed a Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor and in 1912 was awarded the LS&GC. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 24th January 1915. Still in India he was posted to No.18 Company, 3rd (Bombay) Sappers and Miners. On 23rd July 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant. By the end of 1916 his company was in Mesopotamia, supporting the 3rd Indian Division. In Mesopotamia, Dolan saw action at Kut, 9th January – 24th February 1917, and Baghdad, 25th February – 10th March 1917.

He was appointed an Acting Captain in the Indian Army on 1st January 1918 and was promoted to that rank on 24th March 1918. By Autumn 1918 his company had been re-assigned to the British 10th Division in Palestine and Captain Dolan saw action with the Division at the battle of Nablus, 19-25th September 1918. After the end of hostilities, Dolan and his company returned to India; his unit, the 3rd Sappers and Miners, being re-designated the Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners.

On 8th May 1919 Dolan was appointed an Acting Major and assigned as the Commander of “E” Company of the unit. With them he saw action in Afghanistan and the Northwest Frontier during 1919. By 23th May he had reverted back to his rank of Captain and was posted to the 55th Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners as second in command to Captain J. G. O. Whitehead, R.E. With this unit he saw action in Mahsud Territory and in the punitive operations against the Tochi and Wana in Waziristan. Dolan continued to serve in Waziristan until late 1923. For his services there he was awarded the M.B.E. On 24th January 1924 he was promoted to Major and posted as Commandant, “H” Company, Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners, based at Kirkee. He remained with the unit at Kirkee until his retirement in 1939.

The group comes with research including a folder detailing his military service and a copied group photograph.