Belfast Harbour Police Medal, silver, the reverse inscribed ‘Won by J. D. Smyth. 1974.’ with integral top silver riband bar, edge bruise, nearly extremely fine, extremely rare £180-£220

Belfast Harbour Police Medal: Temporary Constable J. D. Smyth
‘For conspicuous conduct and devotion to duty, on 28 January 1974 during an attempt by two youths (one of whom was armed) to disarm the two policemen who were on duty at Prince’s Dock Police Post.’

J. D. Smyth served as a Temporary Constable with the Belfast Harbour Police, and was, along with Constable (later Sergeant) Montgomery, awarded the Belfast Harbour Police medal for this incident. He left the Harbour Police shortly after this incident, having served under 2 years.

The Belfast Harbour Police was established in 1847, making it one of the oldest police forces in the British Isles, and is responsible for policing the 2,000 acre Harbour Estate. In 1946 the Belfast Harbour Commissioners instituted a medal to be awarded ‘for outstanding meritorious police service in the Belfast Harbour Police. In the case of gallantry in saving life, a bronze anchor emblem to be worn on the medal riband will also be awarded.’

Between 1946 and 1994 just 16 medals were awarded, 12 for gallantry or meritorious service (two of which were for saving life), and four for long service awarded to successive Harbour Police Chief Constables. The most recent award of the medal, for gallantry in saving life, was in 2017.