Deelibob

An interesting group of medals awarded to Detective Superintendent Thomas James (Tom) Wilkin. Kings Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service, General Service Medal clasp Palestine,(1936-1939), Defence Medal and War medal.

Born 1909 in Aldeborough, Suffolk, he joined the Palestine Police on 10th April, 1931 as Constable 956 and gained promotion on merit. A well respected officer, decorated for his arrest of Irgun and Stern Gang members.

On the Morning of 29th September, 1944, he was waylaid in St Pauls Road, Jerusalem and shot 11 times and died instantly, his pistol half drawn. He was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery.

The two guns used in the assassination had killed seven times before, including Detective Constable Guttewitz (Jewish Officer) on 10th May 1944. The pistols were later used in the assassination of Lord Moyne, H.M. Minister of State ( Heir to the Guinness Empire) in Cairo, Egypt on 6th November 1944.

Both Assassins were arrested by an Egyptian Constable after a Bicycle chase. Both men were hanged. After repeated failed requests by Israel the bodies of the two men were finally exchanged for Arab Prisoners just a few years ago and re-buried with full honours in Israel.

Alex,

Thanks so much, a nice picture to add to the file of my first Met Medal.

Peter

Alex,

I recently requested information on a PC Henry Smith and was supplied with that information by your good self and others. I have today had his Pension Details through the post. He was born 9th March 1846 at Sussex and joined Met at Notting Hill 11th Oct. 1875.

The reason for my posting under the present thread is, he was pensioned aged 52 on first December 1898 with 23 years and 47 days service. This may have been due to an injury to his back on 4:12:86 which kept him from duty until 24th December 1886 ( What a day to resume) The injury was caused by a horse falling on him and may well have been during a runaway horse scenario. He lived in Alma Villa, Locksbottom, Farnborough, Kent.

Hi,

Frederick served as 308744 Gunner in the West Lancashire Royal Garrison Artillery. He enlisted 18:1:15 and was discharged 8:7:1919. I have his War(wound) Badge issue Document and his badge is numbered B.323877.

The LS&HS clasps are plain silver and bear wording. "Second Service 21st July 1902" "Third Service 9th June 1910" and "Fourth Service 4th Jan 1913" In addition Constable Ellis was awarded a Merit Badge by the Watch Committee, which is worn on the right sleeve( Below service stripes if entitled.) I do not have a photo of Con. Ellis but have a photo of another officer who was awarded a LS&HS medal and bars for stopping horses. His Medal and merit badge can be clearly seen.

Liverpool had many officers killed in the attempt to stop horses and at least one killed, Con. Prosser, (also on Lime Street)1940's

I note from a book on Kings Police Medal Winners that some Metropolitan officers were honoured with a KPM for stopping runaway horses.

Regards

Peter

Another Liverpool Group for perusal.

Frederick Ellis joined the Liverpool City Police c. 1898 and was posted to "A" Division (City Centre) His patch covered amongst other things the Markets and commodities areas where traffic was heavy and constant.

On the 7th of August 1901 he stopped, at great personal risk, a runaway horse attached to a cart in Lime Street. For this act he was awarded the Silver General Medal of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.

On the 21st July 1902, a horse drawn Taxi cab containing three ladies was seen careering along Elliot Street at great peril Constable Ellis leapt at the reins and eventually brought the cab to a halt and the ladies were rescued. For this Act he was awarded the first clasp to his medal.

On 9th June 1910 a horse drawn Shandry was out of control, galloping driverless along Lime Street and was a great danger to the public. Constable Ellis ran towards the startled animal grabbing the reins he was dragged along until the exhausted beast came to a halt without injury to any person. This was rewarded with a second clasp.

On the 4th January 1913 a pair of horses attached to a delivery van took fright and careered along the busy thoroughfare of St Johns Lane, Constable Ellis ran towards the horses and grabbed the tackle linking both animals and he was dragged for some considerable distance before the van was brought to a stop, again no one was injured.

No doubt the plucky Officer would have continued in his equine pursuits but for the outbreak of WW1 when he joined the Army,where he was severely injured, so injured in fact he never returned to the Police. He was awarded a British War Medal/Victory Medal and a wound badge to accompany his 3 clasp LS&HS Silver Medal.

Thankyou Odin - that list will be a helpful reminder . I will ask Brian if he agrees with Pinning-it ?

Have any of you noticed the Picture with Holyboy's (Neil) Avatar. ********** Full marks to the first reply that can tell us what it is showing +

the date + where did it appear + and in which of the above Divs. did it take place ?

Since joining this excellent site I have spent hours trying to figure out Holyboys Avatar. I think it is a depiction of the First German Zeppelin (L15) destroyed over London on 3:4:1916 or possibly the later one shot down by Lt .L. Robinson VC. Alas I do not know the Division. Any marks for me ? or am I way off and it is indeed a Tattooed Bald head as avowed by my Grandson.

A Picture paints a thousand words so they say, so herewith the Reverse.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-15591-0-03781400-1367250980.jpgIn 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee the Liverpool City Police issued a Good Service Medal, In silver to Inspectors and above who had twenty years unblemished service on 20th June 1897 or were serving officers on 20th June 1887 and continued to serve in the interim without default. Approx 40 medals issued. The Bronze was issued to Constables and Sergeants with 20 years approved service. The original ribbon was Blue with red edges and a thin central stripe. This was discarded by most officers who adopted the later ribbon of the Silver Good service medal instituted in 1900 ( and continued to 1951) Red with a diagonal blue stripe ( the later bronze had a blue ribbon with red diagonal Stripe)

Obverse. Old head of Queen Victoria with motto around top Victoria Diamond Jubilee and dates 1837-1897 under her effigy.

Reverse. Liver bird on shield topped by crown, all encased in wreath of Oak and Laurel which is topped by a scroll bearing " Deus Nobis Haec Otia Fecit" the whole circumference has Top : For Good Service. Bottom Liverpool City Police.

I thought that this group to amongst other things a Colonial Policeman(albeit a specialised one) may be of interest to fellow medal collectors.

I met Bill many times in Liverpool and he would regale me and others with his tales of Daring do, from training her Majesty Princess Elizabeth in Martial Arts during WWII to His work in the SOE, including killing an old lady who was about to give him breakfast ( and betray him) and as Scaffold Officer at executions, once producing from a supermarket bag a rope noose complete with metal eyelet and label with deceased's name thereon. He would say very little of his covert work in Palestine and a close friend of his informed me that Bill was still on a hit list. Much has been written on Bill and Roy Farran (Author of Winged Dagger) and can be accessed on the internet, a read I recommend.

The photo is of Bill being invested with the BEM for his work for Charity as a Ghost Hunter, he would spend the night at haunted locations for monies donated to charity in Altrincham.

The medal are DCM a copy and named to Bill as a Pte in RE,BEM,39-45 star,Africa Star with 1st Army Clasp,Defence Medal, War Medal with mention in Despatch leaf, General Service Medal clasp Palestine to Bill as Pte in RE, Civil Defence Medal for service as Aux.Fireman,St Johns LS&GC with 3 clasps to Bill as a Superintendent.

It has been difficult to trace records of the DCM but it has to be remembered that many were gazetted to a pseudonym to protect identity. His service with Ferran and in Palestine Police is verified.

The forces that issued Good/Long service medals stopped upon the introduction of the Exemplary Police Service Medal for all Forces in 1951. Some had ceased to issue their medals prior to 1951 such as Birkenhead and Bootle.

Thanks Chris, Worth a try as the man I had in mind was my Grandfather and would have been nice if he was entitled.

Regards

Would anyone have an idea if a Seaman engaged in supply of Arms and ammunition to the Boer Forces from the Netherlands would be entitled to an Anglo Boer War Medal ?

I thought this group may be of interest to Police Medal Collector.Assistant Chief Constable Glover of the Liverpool Police must have been reluctant to leave as his group of medals bear witness to. The Force had to have a special 4th bar made, for his silver Good Service Medal, by a jeweller to commemorate his service of over forty years. This is quite rare and may be unique. Alas no bars to the miniature which is a scarcity in itself.

Thanks Mike,

I know exactly what you mean had the same problems myself over the years what with that and split groups, its a trial. On that vein and bearing in mind where you are, I have had for many years a single British War Medal to Lt. Macagy MC MM of the Canadian Forces which a Liverpool City Policeman gave me on his return to the LCP from the Calgary Police. A Very Very Very Long shot but if you see the missing ones I'm your man.

Regards

Peter

very many thanks to Gentlemen I am most obliged. I am certainly glad I found this Forum.

Regards

I wonder how many SAC Medals slip through the SAC collectors hands because they are not named to that unit. I purchased a two bar CC/OFS QSA mainly because I noticed on the service papers that the man concerned had lived a few Streets from where I live. The medal is named to 181 Trooper W.S. Roberts Loch's Horse. The medal was accompanied by two SAC badges which was a bit puzzling but, later scrutiny of the said papers revealed that Trooper Roberts was entitled to a Transvaal and SA 1901 bar for service with the SAC.

Just Discovered this site. I have collected to the Liverpool City Police for many years and have recently branched out into the Metropolitan Police medals, of which I know nothing. Can anyone help with information on the below men whose medals I have recently obtained.

Jubilee 1887 medal to PC. C. Holdaway "N" Div.

Jubilee 1887 Medal to PC. G. Luxford "X" Div. a note with medal states Dismissed.

Jubilee 1887 Clasp 1897 to PC H. Smith "P" Div.

Thanks

Peter