Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare K.P.M. awarded to Inspector R. Lewis, Lancashire Constabulary, who was involved in thwarting one of the earliest I.R.A. plans to bring armed conflict to the U.K. mainland - the attack on Rimmer’s Farm at Roby, Merseyside, 9 March 1921

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Richard Lewis. Insp. Lancs. Constab) in Royal Mint leather case of issue, mounted on investiture pin, toned, nearly extremely fine £1,800-£2,200

K.P.M. London Gazette 30 December 1921. The original recommendation states:

‘On 9th March 1921, an attempt was made to set fire to a farm stack yard, and the farmer wounded one of the firebugs with a shotgun. Inspector Lewis was called, and arrived on the scene, to find that the wounded man had a six-chambered revolver, fully loaded in his possession, and was keeping the occupants of the farm at a distance. Inspector Lewis, by flashing his torch in the man’s eyes, was able to distract him enough to close with him, and arrest him without further shots being fired.’

In the Home Office reports for recommendations of the award of the KPM for 1921, the following recommendation appeared for Lewis:

‘On March 9th 1921, an attempt by Sinn Feiners was made to fire a stack yard at Roby Farm where one of their number Patrick Lowe was wounded by a gun shot inflicted by the occupier of the farm. Inspector Lewis was quickly on the scene and though Lowe was holding a six-chamber revolver fully loaded and keeping the occupants at a (respectful) distance the Inspector by means of flashing his lamp in the eyes of the man effected arrest without a further shot on either side being fired. Lowe when searched was found to have another fully loaded revolver in his pocket.’

Richard Lewis was involved in thwarting one of the earliest IRA plans to bring armed conflict to the UK mainland. The attack on Rimmer’s Farm in Roby, Merseyside was carried out by two IRA Volunteers - Paddy Lowe and Jim McNance. The two IRA men entered Rimmer’s Farm at 7.45pm, 9 March 1921. The owner of the farm, together with one of his labourers, spotted the terrorists running across his field, which was situated on the main Roby to Liverpool Road and his dwelling house. Rimmer challenged the two men, catching them by surprise, ordering them to put up their arms or he would fire. Lowe and McNance ignored the demand, so Rimmer true to his word raised his shot gun and fired. He hit Lowe in the left leg, and McNance promptly fled the scene. Rimmer fired at McNance but missed his fleeing target.

Rimmer then telephoned Huyton Police Station, and Inspector Lewis promptly arrived at the scene in his motorcar. Lewis’s commanding officer, Chief Constable H. P. P. Lane, gives the following:

‘The man at Roby refused to surrender. He was armed, and when one of my officers arrived the man defied him and threatened him with his revolver. In the end the officer told him if he did not surrender he would shoot him, where upon the man gave in.’

Lewis apprehended Lowe, found two loaded revolvers on him, and took him to The Whiston Institution to have his wounds attended to.

Sold with a photographic image of recipient in uniform.