INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL WITH 3 CLASPS TO LIEUT. C.J. GRIFFITHS, 43RD INFTRY

M.I.D. Gazetted 1878, 16 Jan, 4 May, 3 Dec 1880:

"Brigadier-General Baker brings to special notice the following officers, whose good services I have great pleasure in recording: Major C.J. Griffiths, 3rd Sikhs.

Major Griffiths, with 200 rifles of his regiment and 50 rifles of the 21st Punjab Native Infantry, advanced to secure the enemy position on the crest above Kotal. The assault was delivered in the most spirited manner and was perfectly successful, the enemy being forced to take to precipitate flight. Major Griffiths was wounded almost immediately. Our loss amounted to one British officer (Major Griffiths, 3rd Sikhs) and 6 N.C.O.s all wounded".

Clement James Griffiths was appointed Ensign on 13 June 1856, Lieutenant 30 Apr 1858, Captain 13 June 1868, Major 13 June 1876, Lt.-Col. 2 Mar 1881, Colonel 2 Mar 1885 and Major-General 1 Nov 1887.

Griffiths served with the 43rd Native Infantry in Bhootan in 1864, including the capture, retreat from and re-taking of Dewangiri and several minor engagements (medal with clasp), transferring to the 3rd Sikhs in the Hazara Campaign of 1868, including the expedition against the tribes on the black mountain (clasp), served with the 3rd Sikh Infantry in the Jowaki Expedition of 1877-78 (mentioned in dispatches, clasp).

Served in the Afghan War in 1879-80 and present at the forcing of Shutergardan (wounded, mentioned in despatches), action in Chardeh Valley, Takht-iShah, operations at Kabul Dec 1879.

Accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts on the march from Kabul to Relief of Kandahar and battle 1 Sep, Despatches London Gazette 16 Jan, 4 May, 3 Dec 1880 (Medal with two clasps, bronze Star and Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Griffiths died after being appointed Colonel-in-Chief and Major-General of 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) in 1916.