A ‘London Blitz’ G.M. group of five awarded to Station Inspector Ronald Noble, Metropolitan Police, latterly the Chief Constable of Derby

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ronald Noble); The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s badge, silver and enamel, enamel damage; Defence Medal; Coronation 1953, these unnamed; Police Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (Ronald A. Noble, Ch. Const.) mounted court style for wear; together with a Royal Society of St. George for England, breast badge, gilt and enamel, unnamed, complete with ribbon emblem and top bar, very fine and better (6)
£2000-2400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An outstanding Collection of Awards relating to the Order of St John.

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G.M. London Gazette 5 September 1941. ‘Ronald Noble, Junior Station Inspector, “X” Division, Metropolitan Police.’

‘A high explosive bomb caused extensive damage to property and people were trapped in the wreckage. Inspector Noble, who was off duty, was blown over by the blast but quickly recovered and went to the scene. On the first floor of a partially demolished block of flats he found a woman in a hysterical condition. He climbed a wall, hooked his legs around a beam and, by hanging upside down, managed to lower her to the ground.

The Inspector then heard shouts for help coming from another house. Without hesitation he began to make a hole in the rubble with his hands and after fifteen minutes unearthed an unconscious woman whom he pulled to safety. Whilst working he had to prop up the wreckage with his shoulders and bricks were continually falling round him. Shortly after he came out the whole of the wreckage collapsed.

Inspector Noble acted with great bravery, entirely disregarding his own safety.’

Ronald Noble was appointed Chief Constable of Derby in 1960.

With award document for the Coronation Medal 1953 and document re. his election to the Royal Society of St. George, 1941, with copied gazette extract.