A rare C.P.M. for Gallantry group of six awarded to Inspector T. D. N. Molefe, Basutoland Police, for his gallantry in quelling a dangerous riot at Maseru Gaol, Basutoland, on 19 November 1955

Colonial Police Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, for Gallantry (Insp. Theophilus David Nkherepe Molefe Basutoland Police); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Basutoland (29 S/Sgt. Theophilus Molefe, Basutoland Police) contact marks, with number partially obscured on last, very fine and a scarce award (6) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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C.P.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 31 July 1956.

Theophilus David Nkherepe Molefe served as an Inspector with the Basutoland Police, and was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry for his part in quelling a riot at Maseru Gaol, Basutoland, on 19 November 1955. The actual account of his role, extracted from the official report into the riot, states:

‘On the afternoon of Saturday 19 November 1955, Warder Masilo Makatse was on guard at the main entrance to the wire fence surrounding Maseru Gaol. He was armed with a revolver. At some time between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. hard labour prisoner Leuta Mahao picked up a stone, struck him down with a blow to the side of the head, disarmed him, shot him through the head, and killed him.
Shortly afterwards a small group of prisoners entered the staff office, overpowered the Warder, broke the cupboard which contained the prison fire arms, and took from in one shot gun, six revolvers and ammunition. This group, supported by a number of other prisoners joined Leuta and attacked the fourteen remaining unarmed Warders. Shots were fires. One Warder was struck down and left for dead, but the remaining warders made good their escape by climbing over the fence.
Leuta and his companions then tried to whip up into revolt the mass of prisoners who had up to that stage taken no part in the riot. They achieved small success, but the majority of prisoners either fled the prison by scaling the wire enclosure fence, or took refuge in their cells. All the prisoners contained in solitary confinement were set free by breaking down the doors, and the records in the main Gaol Office were set on fire.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. Inspector Molefe arrived at the Charge Office and, arming himself with Lee Enfield rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition, proceeded by truck with about 8 policemen armed with batons to the Goal. On arrival at the Gaol Inspector Molefe and his men called upon the prisoners to go back into the enclosure but were immediately attacked by the group of prisoners. Shots were exchanged. Inspector Molefe fired over and at the sides of the advancing mob but failed to stop them owing to the belief by the prisoners that he would not shoot directly at them. “He is a man of the law and will not dare to shoot us”, they said. It was then that Inspector Molefe shot and killed one of the advancing prisoners, and by further judicious use of his rifle drove the prisoners back into the prison enclosure and eventually into the Gaol itself where more shots were exchanged.
Numbers of police and warders continued to arrive and proceed to round up the prisoners, many of whom returned willingly. The riot had lasted for just under three hours.’

Sold with copied research, including a full copy of the report into the riot.