Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Colonial Police Medal group of six awarded to Chief Inspector Hendry Beattie Dewar, Hong Kong Police, killed in an air crash, 28 July 1963

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Colonial Police Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, for Meritorious Service (Ch. Insp. Hendry B. Dewar, Hong Kong Police); Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (Inspector Dewar H. B.) mounted for wear, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £650-750

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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Hendry Beattie ‘Lofty’ Dewar was born in Brechin, Angus, Scotland, on 17 August 1907. He served in the Metropolitan Police, 3 March 1926-7 December 1933, before joining the Hong Kong Police on 5 January 1934, arriving there on 2 February. He was promoted to Lance-Sergeant on 4 January 1935. In 1938 and in 1940 he was commended by the Commissioner of Police. Dewar served in the Second World War, and he was interned by the Japanese from 25 December 1941. Held at Stanley Camp, he was involved in aiding several of his fellow officers to escape. For his services in the war he received the 1939-45 and Pacific Stars and the Defence and War Medals. He was promoted to Sub-Inspector on 1 January 1946 and Inspector on 4 January 1950. As Inspector, in the Stores Department, Dewar was awarded the Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., this being notified in the Hong Kong Government Gazette of 7 March 1952. Dewar was promoted to Acting Chief Inspector on 17 November 1952 and Chief Inspector on 15 March 1953. Whilst at the latter rank, he was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service, this notified in the London Gazette and the Hong Kong Government Gazette of 2 January 1956. The medal was presented to him on 23 December 1956 by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Alexander Grantham, G.C.M.G., at the Government Stadium at Sookunpo, on the occasion of the 10th Annual Review of the Hong Kong Police Force. Further service followed and he was awarded the Bar to his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., this notified in the Hong Kong Government Gazette of 1 April 1960. He retired as a Chief Inspector of the Hong Kong Police on 17 August 1962. He then took employment with the Everett Steamship Company on 31 January 1963, and became Chief Security Officer at the Hong Kong Hilton in February the same year. He was killed on 28 July 1963 when a United Arab Airlines Comet crashed into the ocean off Banda, Bombay, with 63 fatalities. His remains were buried at Sewri Cemetery, Bombay, on 10 August 1963. Sold with a quantity of copied research and several copied photographs of the recipient.