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Megan, Most gratefull for your reply on this one, interesting to note that it is a civilian version of the LSM whereas, if my interpretation of his status is corrrect, he should have been awarded the Military issue. One door closes, another opens ! Best wishes and my thanks again - Dave

I seek assistance thus - I have a Jagatjit silver medal,full size,integral loop with small ring suspender,no ribbon,Obverse has full frontal portrait of Singh,polished so cannot date it through decorations worn,inscription in English capitals around edge,Reverse has Indian script around top half and "Awarded To " in raised english capitals beneath.On the rim is engraved,in thin capitals - RIS KARAM SINGH O.C.H.H.B.G. I interpret this as " Rissaldar Karam Singh, Officer Commanding His Highness Bodyguard ". Regret no photograph but medal appears identical to one illustrated to " R.K.Puri 1918" which may be known to those familiar with this genre. Could anyone inform me of (a) the full title of this medal, (b) the details of the ribbon,and (c) am I correct in my interpretation of the recipient's rank & post ?

Just a few observations - as regards the Special Constabulary medal, compare the engraving with that on the first medal in this theme, a scratchy ,crude affair. This is a local production and this style is commonly seen on medals to junior officers in the regular Force. The Specials medal is also wrongly ribboned (CPM M).I have checked the June 1997 Staff List for the then RHKP Auxilliary Police ( as the specials were known).Subject does not appear. His name (Chang) would indicate a northern Chinese family (Shantung) origin, if so it is most likely he would have ended his service by 1997 .

Post war they were very popular at football matches.( as more recently,were vuvuzelas).Times change !

At that time the Chief Police Officers in charge of the Municipal Police Forces in the Treaty Ports on the China Coast and the Colonial Force in Hong Kong ,bore the title Captain Superintendent.Hence CAPT SUPT. I can find no reference to " Barrett-Watts" on the China Coast at that time,detailed research into the Tientsin community at that time should reveal more. CRP could be Chinese Railway Police ?

R.A.O.B is in fact " The Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes" .

" Police Lieutenant " , service in Malaya.

Please see Ancestry - Passenger Lists. A number of references to men of this name Gatt/Galt,departing to Canada ( one in March 1900 ) from Glasgow, and returning therefrom ( Nov 1914 - to enlist ?). Cannot positively identify him but may be worth further checking.

YOUR MAN WAS AWARDED THE FOLLOWING THREE MEDALS ;- (a) Rhodesian General Service Medal wef 11.11.1965 as illustrated (b) Independance Medal wef 18.4.1980 (c) Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service wef 26.2.1982 vide Zimbabwe Govt Gazette of that date,Volume LX No 15 Page 179 All references are to him as Ag/Sgt or Sgt PR (Police Reserve).

The following as background - " Working for the Chinese Customs Service, by Dr Catherine Ladds", and more specifically - From Chinese Customs Service Staff List - Davis T.N Enlisted Jan 1921 as Probationery Tidewaiter Resigned August 1924 as Tidewaiter 2nd Class Station on resignation - Tientsin. Indications point to a Tientsin venue.

A note on his Record of Service sheet,above, shows,inter alia - " Will be discharged from service after signing on in the CHINESE CUSTOMS SERVICE (my capitals) as a TIDEWAITER."

Samantha If you would like to let me have ( P.M if you wish) his name and if possible his d.o.b I may well be able to help.

As regards the Northern Rhodesia Police,there were the following 'classes ' of Police Officers - Superior,Senior and Subordinate - the first two were ' gazetted' ie Assistant Supers and above,the subordinates were the Inspectorate.All classes/ranks had mess kit,though for the lower orders a summer style was permitted year round.There was a 'Superior Mess' at HQ and all Divisions and Districts had their own in which all ranks in the Inspectorate (including African Inspectors) and above were full members. African members of the Rank and File had their own Messes although they were best described as Police Clubs.

J S V Hickman M.C ( Malaya with 1NRR/2 KAR ) plus a host of Rhodie decorations. . C.O. 1 Rhodesia Light Infantry 8/1968 to 6/1970,when things were hotting up.Died October 2011.

The Memorial is one of several at the Batu Gajah Cemetery in Malaysia,see Google ' God's Little Acre"