The Royal Victorian Order (MVO) 4th Class Breast Badge

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The Royal Victorian Order (MVO) 4th Class Breast Badge (silver-gilt & enamel) numbered 795;

CGHGS medal bar: Bechuanaland: Sgt. R.M. Crawford C.Pol.;

QSA 2 bars: DoK, OFS Capt. R.M. Crawford 
Cape Police;

KSA 2 bars: SA’01, SA’02 Captain R.M. Crawford C.P. Dist. 2.; 
Kimberley Star complete with top bar (“a” hallmark) unnamed as issued.

Robert Montgomery Crawford was born in County Donegal, Ireland in May 1863.He came to South Africa in 1880 and saw his first semi-military service in January 1885 with the Warren Expedition, an event which resulted in Bechuanaland becoming a British Protectorate. Seven months later, on 19 August 1885, he enlisted as Trooper in the Cape Police.

 

This was the start of a successful career,  including service with the Diamond Detective Dept. between November 1894 and April 1897. After the Langeberg Campaign he steadily rose through the ranks, seeing Boer War service as Captain (MiD) and eventually retiring as Deputy Commissioner, SA Police (Eastern Division), on 20 November 1914.

 

In his capacity as Commissioner, Cape Mounted Police, he was responsible for the security and policing arrangements during the opening of the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in November 1910. 

The Cape Argus of Friday, 11 November 1910, contained a short report, the first part of which reads:

THE ROYAL TOUR, POLICE OFFICERS HONOURED Magalapye, Friday Colonel Crawford, Chief of Police, who accompanied the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia from Cape Town, left the Royal Train tonight, prior to its entry into Rhodesian territory.

 

The Duke of Connaught conferred on him the M.V.O. before his departure. Crawford, however, was not awarded the 1910 Union Medal. The Royal Victorian Order is entirely a personal gift of the Sovereign and has been awarded only 13 times to South African recipients: 

Knight Commander 3 (KCVO): one award was for the Opening of the 1st Union Parliament
Commander 1 (CVO)
Member, Class 4 7 (MVO): five awards were for the Opening of the 1st Union Parliament
Member, Class 5 2 (MVO)