Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Indian Police Medal group of six awarded to Deputy Inspector General H. E. Sabine, Indian Police, late Indian Army and Devonshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded an M.S.M. for his services with the Devons during the Great War in Mesopotamia

Indian Police Medal, G.VI.R., for Distinguished Conduct (H. E. Sabine, I.P., Spl. Supdt. Intelligence Br., Bengal.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. H. E. Sabine); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (200991 Pte. H. E. Sabine. 4-Devon. R.) small spot of verdigris to VM, minor edge bruising, good very fine and better (6) £400-£500

Indian Police Medal Calcutta Gazette 9 January 1941: ‘Harold Edward Sabine, I.P., Special Superintendent, Intelligence Branch.
‘After serving in the Great War this officer joined the Indian Police as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in December 1920. He began to officiate as Superintendent of Police in May 1923. In 1933 he was transferred to the Intelligence Branch as Special Superintendent where his work has been marked by industry and accuracy. His meticulous care made him a great asset to his superior officers, who know that his report can confidently be relied on. He officiated with success as Deputy Inspector-General for six months in 1939.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 15 October 1918 (Mesopotamia).

Harold Edward Sabine was born in Plumsted, Kent, on 12 July 1894 and attested for the Devonshire Regiment at Newton Abbot, Devon, serving with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War in Mesopotamia. For his services in Mesopotamia he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 15 August 1917), and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army on 5 January 1918, he was posted to the 2nd/107th Pioneers on 6 June 1918, and was promoted Lieutenant on 5 January 1919. Relinquishing his commission on 5 August 1920, he was appointed to the Indian Police on 6 December 1920, as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police, and after a year at the Police Training College at Sardar he was appointed to the East India Railway Police at Hooghly, Bengal. He was confirmed in the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police on 25 May 1923, and subsequently served in Dacca, Bengal, from that date. He was further promoted Superintendent of Police on 24 August 1925. After 11 months’ furlough from 8 December 1929 to 30 October 1930, he served as Superintendent of Police at Murshidabad from 3 November 1930 to 1932, before being appointed Special Superintendent of Police with the Intelligence Branch, Calcutta, on 9 January 1933, and remained in this role for the next eight years. He was awarded his Indian Police Medal in 1941. Promoted Deputy Inspector General on 14 April 1943, Sabine returned to England in September 1944 and retired to Okehampton, Devon, where he died on 28 July 1949.

Sold with copied research including various photographic images of the recipient.