A Collection of Police Medals 897
A scarce Great War M.C., 1914 ‘H.M. Visit to the Front’ R.V.M. group of eight awarded to Inspector J. T. Curry, Metropolitan Police, who served during the Great War firstly in the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Intelligence), before being commissioned Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps; he subsequently served as a Detective Inspector in the White Slave Department
MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; ROYAL VICTORIAN MEDAL, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; 1914 STAR, with clasp (15334 Pte. J. Curry. R. Fus.); BRITISHWAR ANDVICTORYMEDALS, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. J. T. Curry.); JUBILEE 1897, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. J. T. Curry. M. Divn.); CORONATION 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.S.. J. Curry. C. Div.); CORONATION 1911, Metropolitan police (P.S. J. Curry.) very fine (8)
£1400-1800 M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915.
John Thomas Curry joined the Metropolitan Police and served ‘M’ (Southwark) Division, before transferring to the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard and being promoted Detective Inspector. On the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 he was one of 24 men from the C.I.D. selected for Army Intelligence and posted to the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, for service on the Western Front. This regimental assignment was merely a paper front to disguise the true identity of the ‘Hush-Hush Brigade’ as they became known by their police colleagues- the social and educational make up of the other ranks of the 10th (Stockbroker’s) Battalion providing perfect cover for those recruited for Intelligence Work, and indeed Curry’s Medal Index Card lists his Corps as ‘C.I.D. Scot: Yard’. Advanced Company Sergeant Major, he was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver on the occasion of H.M. the King’s visit to the Front on 5 December 1914, and was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1915, and was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915). On the cessation of hostilities he re-joined the Metropolitan Police, and worked for a time in the White Slave Department.
898
A Second War K.P.F.S.M. for Gallantry group of four awarded to Inspector H. P. Withers, Lincolnshire Constabulary, for apprehending an armed absconder and making safe a dropped grenade, 26 October 1944
KING’S POLICE MEDAL,
G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Gallantry (Harold P. Withers, Inspr., Lincolnshire Constaby.); DEFENCE MEDAL; CORONATION 1953; POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDAL,
G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Inspr. Harold P. Withers.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4)
£700-900
K.P.F.S.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 14 June 1945. The Recommendation states: ‘On 26th October 1944, Inspector Withers began investigations into the theft of stores from the Home Guard, and suspected George Ashford an absconder from an approved school. The following day, the Inspector was with Constable Selby in a car, when he saw Ashford in a soldier’s uniform. As Constable Selby approached the boy, he pulled a hand grenade from his pocket, and was about to pull the pin, as the Constable grabbed his arms, pinning them to his side. Inspector Withers came up as Ashford freed himself, but the Inspector punched him on the jaw, knocking him down. Ashford dropped the grenade, which Inspector Withers picked up, and made safe.’
Harold Poynton Withers served as an Inspector with the Lincolnshire Constabulary; both he and Police Constable Arthur Selby were awarded the King’s Police and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry for this action.
Sold together with a copied photographic image of the recipient.
www.dnw.co.uk
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