Civilian Service Awards & Badges

Lot 4246    Session 14 (4.30pm Thursday 20th November)    Civilian Service Awards & Badges

Estimate $8,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $12,000

WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE RARE GOLD MEDAL, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee 1897 and Western Australia Police Long Service Medal, oval medal in gold (25x38mm) surmounted by gilt crown, with ribbon and suspension bar and ribbon brooch bar, medal inscribed on reverse to 'Inspector W.C.Lawrence 26 Years Service To June 20'. In case of issue, extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Spink Auctions (Australia) Sale 32 (lot 1206) May 1990.

This medal was specially struck by the firm, A.W. Dobie and Company of Perth, W.A., to mark the occasion of Queen Victoria's 60th year of reign, her Diamond Jubilee. It was decided that each member of the Police Force of long service and good character should receive a commemorative medal of either gold or silver, according to their rank. Sergeants and below received silver while gold was awarded to Sub-Inspectors, Inspectors and one to a civilian, a Chief Clerk & Accountant with the Service. Of the ten gold medals issued, only two have been sighted in the market, namely that issued to Inspector E.G. Back and this one to Sub-Inspector W.C. Lawrence which was last sold by us 24 years ago and has been in a private collection ever since.

William C. Lawrence, Superintendent, the second in command of the Western Australia police force, was born at Bunbury on 4 June 1848, and educated at the same school at which the late Premier, Sir John Forrest, received his education. In July 1871 Mr. Lawrence joined the force and the records of his official career in the departmental books are without one single black mark against him during the whole of his thirty years of service. Three years after he joined the force Constable Lawrence was promoted to the position of lance-Corporal, a rank that has since been abolished. In 1875 he became first-class constable, in 1879 corporal, in 1880 lance-corporal, in 1882 sergeant, in 1884 acting sub-inspector of the Perth District and detective department. He then received the rank of first-class sergeant, his appointment to which was followed in 1885 by promotion to the rank of sub-inspector in charge of the detective department. In 1893 Mr Lawrence became inspector and in 1900 he reached the highest rank in the service outside the position of Commissioner - that of Superintendent. Mr. Lawrence retired at the age of 64 in 1912.

Superintendent Lawrence was one of the first to visit the Murchison District, whither he was dispatched in search of two brothers, Clarkson, who attempted to travel overland with a number of horses and cattle. They had, it was found, been killed by a tribe of cannibal blacks, but Mr. Lawrence was successful in obtaining the bones of the murdered brothers and returning with them to the capital. It formed part of the superintendent's duties from time to time to investigate charges of cruelty to aboriginals by white settlers. While making these enquiries and framing his reports Mr. Lawrence was stationed at Roebourne, whence he was transferred to Kimberley to assist in the dispersal of a tribe of blacks which had become exceedingly lawless owing to the immunity from capture enjoyed by two notorious aboriginals named 'Pigeon' and 'Captain', who had committed numerous murders and robberies. 'Pigeon' was ultimately shot, 'Captain' arrested and sentenced to death, and the blacks restored to submission.

With research.