The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A rare and unusual E.G.M. awarded to Mr. Adrian Trapman, Vice-Consul at Addis Ababa at the time of the Italian invasion in 1936

Empire Gallantry Medal, G.VI.R., Civil Division (Adrian S. G. R. Trapman), in its Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine
£5000-6000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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E.G.M. London Gazette 1 February 1937:

‘Mr. Trapman played a prominent part in the incidents at Abbis Ababa early in May following upon the flight of the Emperor, and was particularly concerned with the rescue of persons from the city, which was in the hands of a disorderly and uncontrolled mob. On the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th May 1936, he took part in expeditions to rescue British and foreign men, women and children from the town to being them to the safety of the British Legation. Each expedition involved a drive of some ten miles in an open lorry exposed to dangerous rifle fire from the rioters, many of whom made a practice of discharging their firearms at every passing vehicle.’

Adrian Sidney Gilbert Reginald Trapman, who was born in September 1910, held the post of British Vice-Consul in Addis Ababa from 1934 until the Italian occupation in June 1936. Sadly, following his gallant exploits that summer, he was killed in a motoring accident in Greece in September 1937.

A total of 130 Empire Gallantry Medals (E.G.M.) were awarded in the period 1922-40, 62 Military, 64 Civil and four Honorary awards. The E.G.M. was superseded by the George Cross in September 1940 and surviving holders of the E,G.M. became entitled to exchange their award for the G.C. As stated, however, Adrian Trapman had died by this time and his E.G.M. is, therefore, in addition to the four Honorary awards which were not eligible for exchange, one of only ten E.G.Ms not exchanged for the G.C.

Sold with brief research and an original newspaper cutting reporting on Trapman’s investiture.