Australian Historical Medals

Lot 982    Session 4 (4.30pm Tuesday 20 November)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

VICTORIAN POLICE GOLD VALOUR BADGE, undated (1916), in 9ct gold and enamel by Bridgland & King, with 9ct gold and enamel suspension brooch bar, reverse of medal inscribed, 'Const Bresnan/6068'. In case, good very fine and rare.

Only 22 gold badges awarded.

Francis Bresnan, an engine driver, was born 14 July 1893 at Dunbulbalane (on the Nine Mile Creek about 200km north-northeast of Melbourne), Victoria. He was appointed as a Foot Constable to the Victorian Police Force on 17 December 1914 and discharged as a Constable on 1 November 1923 after 'Refusing Duty' during the police strike, along with many other constables, as recorded in Victoria Police Gazette 13 December 1923. Up until this time his conduct was recorded as good. As well as being awarded the Gold Valour Badge he was also highly commended on 18 March 1918 for stopping at great personal risk a bolting horse in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne on 4 March 1918. The horse had freed itself from a van to which it had been attached and bolted out of Little Bourke Street and collided with another vehicle.

The above badge was issued at the first public presentation of gold valour badges which had been instituted in 1916. The presentation was made to 17 police officers by the Chief Secretary, Mr McLeod MLA at Russell Street Barracks on 26 September 1916 with about 250 Constables on parade and in attendance was the Chief Commissioner, Mr A.G.Sainsbury and leading officers of the police force.

When presenting the gold badges Mr McLeod said they were a reward for valour. He said men at the front were receiving VCs for deeds not more worthy, perhaps, than some that were performed by the police, and the Government in adopting the innovation felt that a suitable medal should be given to members of the force when exceptional determination, valour, or devotion to duty was exhibited. He eulogised the marked bravery of several constables who had recently faced desperate armed criminals and succeeded in arresting them.

Constable W.Downes along with Constables F.Bresnan and J.Walsh were each recommended for gold badges for displaying great courage and determination when they arrested John Lane, George Rankin and Ernest Watson on 6 May after an exciting chase in the city of Melbourne. The recommendation was made by Inspecting Superintendent L.Gleeson. The constables saw the three men behaving suspiciously in Flinders Lane and followed them. John Lane fired a revolver but nobody was injured. The chase then became exciting with civilians joining in including one soldier who had been wounded at the Gallipoli landing. The three men were captured and then recognised as desperate young criminals who were suspected of having broken into many shops in Melbourne on Saturday afternoons.

John Lane was charged with having shot with intent to murder, with having a housebreaking implement in his possession, and with warehouse breaking; George Rankin with having loitered with intent to commit a felony, with having attempted to discharge a firearm, and with warehouse breaking; and Ernest Watson with having loitered with intent to commit a felony and with warehouse breaking.

With research.

See also lot 983 for award to Constable W.Downes for same incident.