British Groups

Lot 3225    Session 11 (9.30am Friday)    British Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

GROUP OF FIVE: George Medal (GVIR) (1st type); Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Police Service; Defence Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal (EIIR) 1953; Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVIR). Frederick John Blake on first medal, Frederick J Blake G.M. C.H.Supt. Metropolitan Police, Ch.Inspr. Frederick J Blake on fifth medal. First medal engraved, second and fifth medals impressed, third and fourth medals unnamed. Very fine and a rare combination of medals.

John Frederick Blake. Chief Supt Blake joined the Metropolitan Police in 1925. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1932, Station Sergeant in 1938, Inspector in 1943, Chief Inspector in 1950, Staff Officer to the Commander of No.3 District in 1954 and Chief Superintendent in 1956. He was in charge of F Division which included Kensington Palace, a number of Embassies, Earls Court and Olympia Exhibitions, White City Stadium and Notting Hill area. He was awarded the George Medal in 1941 for gallantry in an air raid at Poplar. He attended the first 'B' Course at the Police College in 1948 and was Deputy Commandant of the Police Camp at Kensington Gardens during the Coronation in 1953, During his service he was awarded seven commendations. G.M. L.G.: 21Nov1941 pp.6691/2, Station Police Sergeant L Division Metropolitan Police. 'A bomb fell on a warehouse and the whole superstructure collapsed onto a large public shelter. The roof was blown in and all the entrances were blocked. Constables Hall & Edwards, who were off duty, volunteered to go to the incident with a police party under the leadership of Station Sergeant Blake. There were many tons of debris piled above and around the demolished shelter and there was constant danger of collapse. Large quantities of masonry were hanging precariously from the upper storeys of the building, the sides of which were still standing. The escape hatch-covers were covered with debris and when this had been dug away, the hatchway itself was found to be choked by masses of brickwork and concrete. In spite of the danger the three men tunnelled their way through the debris and found four trapped and injured people abouth ten feet inside the shelter. These were freed and carried out. Continuing their search they found and rescued several more people and as there was not enough room for three men to work effectively, Blake left the Constables to carry on and went to supervise the removal of the rescued people. The Officers worked unceasingly until everything possible had been done. Edwards and Hall continously risked their lives while they were tunnelling through debris and bringing the people out. Station Police Sergeant Blake not only took his share in the danger of tunnelling and rescue work but also provided the essential element of organising ability which dealt with each new difficulty as it occurred and ensured that the efforts of the rescuers were not wasted'. Chief Supt. F.J.Blake, G.M. (Metropolitan). Q.P.M. L.G.: 10Jun1961. Together with photocopies of London Gazette for G.M. and Police Review.