Medals from the Collection of R.W. Gould, MBE

A K.P.M. group of three awarded to Police Constable Michael Barry, Metropolitan Police, for gallantry in saving life from fire

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Michael Barry, Const. Met. Police); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police (P.C., L Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C.) contact marks, otherwise very fine (3) £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 2 January 1912.

Michael Barry and George Springett, Constables, Metropolitan Police. Gallantly rescued a woman and a child from a fire which broke out at one o’clock in the morning. The occupier handed out a child of nine to the Constables and fell into the street from the first floor. Springett then climbed into a room on the first floor, eleven feet from the ground, which was full of dense smoke, and handed out the occupier’s wife to Barry. He was driven out by the smoke, but Barry climbed on his shoulders into the room, which was now filled with flames, and rescued the occupier’s child of five.

The five year-old boy subsequently died from his injuries caused by the fire which took place on 4 March 1911, in Angel Street, Walworth, South-East London. Both Constables were awarded the King’s Police Medal for their bravery and each also received the Bronze Medal of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. Sold with further research, including contemporary newspaper accounts with group photograph taken at his investiture.