August 1915 WWI Kohat Golf Trophy - 55th Coke's Rifles - Captains Lindsay & Evans

An Extraordinary Artifact of WWI Military History

This museum-quality sterling silver golf trophy tells a poignant story of valor, tragedy, and the British Indian Army during World War I. Awarded in August 1915 at the Kohat cantonment on India's North-West Frontier, this trophy connects us to officers of the legendary 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) who maintained traditions of sportsmanship even as the Great War consumed the world.

The 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)

The 55th Coke's Rifles was one of the most distinguished regiments of the British Indian Army, with a storied history dating back to 1849. Named after Lieutenant-General Sir John Coke, the regiment earned its reputation defending the volatile North-West Frontier. Officers and men of Coke's Rifles were known for their exceptional courage, frontier expertise, and esprit de corps. During WWI, the regiment served with distinction in multiple theaters, including Mesopotamia and the North-West Frontier campaigns.

The Trophy: Crafted in 1914, Awarded in August 1915

This elegant sterling silver trophy was crafted in 1914, as evidenced by its hallmarks, and awarded in August 1915 for the Officers' Golf Tournament at Kohat. The timing is significant—by August 1915, the war had been raging for over a year, and many officers stationed at frontier garrisons knew they might soon be deployed to distant battlefields. This tournament represented a brief moment of normalcy and camaraderie in uncertain times.

Captain Charles Stephen Lindsay: A Tragic Hero

One of the trophy's winners, Captain Charles Stephen Lindsay, had recently been promoted to Captain just before this tournament—a recognition of his leadership and service. Tragically, Captain Lindsay's triumph at the August 1915 golf tournament would be one of his final moments of peacetime joy. Just months after winning this trophy, Captain Lindsay was killed in action, making the ultimate sacrifice for King and Empire. This trophy stands as a memorial to his service, his recent promotion, and the cruel brevity between sporting victory and battlefield death that characterized the WWI experience for so many young officers.

Captain Dudley Macniel Evans: Decorated for Valor

The trophy also bears the name of Captain Dudley Macniel Evans, an officer whose extraordinary courage under fire earned him multiple decorations and commendations:

• Military Cross (MC): Awarded for acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy
• Mentioned in Dispatches: Multiple times—a rare honor indicating repeated acts of distinguished service
• Campaign Service: Served in multiple theaters including the North-West Frontier and other WWI campaigns
• Documented Record: Captain Evans' medal group, including his Military Cross, has been authenticated and sold at Noonans Mayfair, one of Britain's premier military medal auction houses, confirming his distinguished service record

Captain Evans exemplified the officer class of the British Indian Army—brave, dedicated, and repeatedly tested in combat. His feats of valor were recognized at the highest levels, and his medals remain sought-after collectibles in the militaria market.

Kohat: Gateway to the Frontier

Kohat (now in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) was a critical British military cantonment on the North-West Frontier. Officers stationed here faced constant vigilance against tribal incursions while also preparing for potential deployment to other war zones. The golf course at Kohat provided one of the few recreational outlets for officers in this remote, strategically vital garrison.

Provenance & Historical Documentation

• Date Engraved: August 1915
• Trophy Manufacture: 1914 (confirmed by hallmarks)
• Location: Kohat, British India (North-West Frontier)
• Regiment: 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)
• Material: Sterling silver with clear British hallmarks
• Winners: Captain C.S. Lindsay (KIA months later) and Captain D.M. Evans (MC, MiD)
• Condition: Excellent for age; all engravings crisp and legible; natural patina enhances authenticity
• Documentation: Cross-referenced with military records, medal auction archives, and regimental histories

Investment Value for Serious Collectors

This trophy represents the convergence of multiple highly collectible categories:

• WWI Militaria: Named to identified officers with documented service records
• British Indian Army: From one of the most famous frontier regiments
• Memorial Piece: Captain Lindsay's death shortly after winning adds profound historical poignancy
• Decorated Heroes: Captain Evans' Military Cross and multiple mentions in dispatches
• Sterling Silver: Solid silver with 1914 hallmarks
• Sporting History: Early golf memorabilia from a remote frontier garrison
• Regimental History: 55th Coke's Rifles connection highly desirable to collectors

Museum-Quality Presentation

The trophy features elegant twin scroll handles and a pedestal base characteristic of Edwardian sporting awards. The natural patina speaks to its authenticity and age. Every engraving remains perfectly legible, allowing researchers and collectors to trace the lives of these brave officers.

This is not merely a trophy—it is a memorial to Captain Lindsay's sacrifice, a testament to Captain Evans' valor, and a tangible link to the 55th Coke's Rifles during the Great War. An exceptional acquisition for serious collectors of WWI militaria, British Indian Army history, or regimental memorabilia.

References & Documentation

• Noonans Mayfair - Captain D.M. Evans Military Cross group auction records
• British Indian Army regimental histories - 55th Coke's Rifles
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
• North-West Frontier campaign documentation, 1915-1918