A K.P.M. awarded to Police Constable Edward Geer, Metropolitan Police, for bravely stopping a runaway horse after an enterprising motor cycle pursuit

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (P.C. E. Geer, Metropolitan Pol.) good very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of R.W. Gould, MBE.

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K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1923.

At about 12.40 p.m. on 24th September 1921, a covered van laden with ladders was being driven down the gradient opposite the London County Council pumping station in Grosvenor Road, when the horse’s bridle came off causing the animal to bolt. Police Constable Geer immediately gave chase and a civilian who was passing on a motor cycle combination offered him the use of it. The officer accepted and was driven off in pursuit. P.C. Geer and the civilian had great difficulty in overtaking the runaway but at last succeeded, and when near Claverton Street, S.W.1., the officer stood up and seized the nostrils of the horse in one hand and the shaft with the other. He then sprang out of the sidecar but was thrown to the ground narrowly escaping being run over. The officer renewed the chase and again seized the horse’s head, and after being dragged a distance of 50 yards, succeeded in bringing the animal to a standstill. During this attempt he was also thrown to the ground and sustained injuries.

Edward Geer was born at Boughton, Faversham, Kent, on 3 April 1897. He served in the 1st Quebec Regiment from 17 June 1918 until 30 July 1919, and joined the Metropolitan Police on 29 March 1921. He resigned on 27 August 1948, and died on 12 September 1960.