Full medal write up
KING’S POLICE MEDAL, G.V.R., 1ST ISSUE, WITH GALLANTRY RIBBON 'P.C. HARRY HALL, METROPOLITAN POLICE'. In case of issue, with its original ribbon and pin for wear and spare ribbon. Together with Hall’s original Secretary of State Home Department Citation, in its Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, named and stamped envelope.
K.P.M. London Gazette 7 January 1930. The Original citation reading:
“On the 5th October, 1928, Constable Hall, whilst on duty, was told by two County Court officers that they were going to execute a distress warrant upon the goods of a man named Rawlins, and asked to keep at hand. On reaching the house the bailiffs were seen by Mrs Rawlins who tried to prevent them entering, but they succeeded in getting into the passage.
After a few moments, Rawlins appeared at the top of the staircase with a revolver and after threatening to shoot the bailiffs, fired a shot which entered the ceiling. Constable Hall entered the house and saw Rawlins (who was subsequently found to be insane) leaning over the banister flourishing the pistol. He rushed up the stairs, drew his truncheon and struck at Rawlins but missed him. The weapon was then handed by Rawlins to his wife; and the Constable arrested him. On examination, the pistol was found to contain one spent and five live cartridges.”
Police Constable Harry Hall, warrant number 104237, joined the Metropolitan Police on 12 October 1914, and left the service on 23 Aug 1942. He was last posted to N Division as a Police Constable and was presumably also awarded a Defence Medal for service during WW2.
Approximately 417 GVR 1st type King’s Police Medals for gallantry were awarded to British and Irish Police constabularies and Fire Brigades before the 2nd type came into being in 1933.
One of 226 King’s Police Medals awarded to the Metropolitan Police between 1910 and 1940; GVR, 1st and 2nd types and GVIR 1st type. A good breakdown of what the awards were awarded for can be viewed here:
htps://web.archive.org/web/20210421072700/htp://www.historybytheyard.co.uk/gallantry.htm
And a list of those awarded 1919 to 1938, including Hall, here:
Condition EF. Sold with copy 2 photographs of PC Hall, confirmation of award in Police Gallantry roll and several news articles (digital) on the case, LG etc.
A scarce 1920’s Police Gallantry medal and citation group.