Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 16001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 147

A Rare Civil Division O.B.E., Indian Police Medal Group of Four to Deputy Inspector-General of Police O.L. Burrell, Madras State, Believed to Be the Only European Awarded the President's Police & Fire Services Medal, India, For Distinguished Service
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt
b) Indian Police Medal, G.VI.R., for Distinguished Conduct (O.L. Burrell, I.P., Dist. Supdt. of Police, Madras.), partially officially corrected
c) President’s Police & Fire Services Medal, India, for Distinguished Service, silver-gilt (O.L. Burrell, I.P., D.I.G. Police, Madras.)
d) Indian Independence Medal 1950, Police issue, unnamed, suspension mount bent on last, otherwise generally very fine or better, mounted as originally worn, with newspaper cutting from The Mail, Madras; booklet for the 'Presentation of The President's Police And Fire Services And Police Medals, By Sri Bisnuram Medhi, Governor Of Madras', dated 5.9.1959, and Order of Service for recipient's funeral (lot)

O.B.E. London Gazette 12.6.1947 Oscar Lawrence Burrell, Esq., Indian Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Madras.

The President's Police and Fire Services Medal (Independence Day Award, 1959 - For Distinguished Service), Sri Oscar Lawrence Burrell, O.B.E., I.P. Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Madras State
The Citation states: 'Sri Oscar Lawrence Burrell, O.B.E., I.P., joined the Indian Police in November 1927. After serving as Assistant Superintendent of Police in various districts in the Composite Madras State, he was promoted as Superintendent of Police in November 1935. He held charge of several heavy districts with considerable ability and success and was specially selected for the charge of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Madras City. He was confirmed as Superintendent of Police in July 1941. In recognition of his outstanding work as Superintendent of Police he was awarded the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in May 1944. His indefatigable energy and administrative ability marked him out for appointment as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in March 1945. He held charge of this post till June 1947 with considerable efficiency which earned him the award of the O.B.E. in June 1947. He was promoted as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in 1947 and has served in various Ranges with commendable ability.

He was posted as Special Officer for the newly formed Special Armed Police Units which post he held charge from October 1948 to April 1950. During this period, he considerably improved the discipline and efficiency of the Force. He was confirmed as Deputy Inspector-General of Police with effect from 5th September 1949. He was specially chosen again as Special Officer for Reorganization of Police Department consequent on the merger of the Prohibition with the Police Department in 1954, which work he carried out with thoroughness and ability.

He has always been striving to improve the working of the Department and rectify defects by close supervision and instructions. His analysis is always objective. In view of his meritorious service for over thirty-one years the President's Police and Fire Services Medal is awarded to him on the Independence Day this year. He is the last European I.P. Officer serving in the Madras State. He is now working as Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Western Range.'

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Oscar Lawrence Burrell, O.B.E. (1908-1996), one of seven children, was educated at Dulwich College, and entered the Indian Police in 1927. He served with them both pre- and post-independence; 'when the British transferred power to India, they left behind among other things, two important legacies - an independent judiciary system and an organised police force. Of the latter, Madras State has the unique honour of celebrating its centenary this week. Many are the distinguished Englishmen who have contributed to the organisation and development of the Madras State Police Force, which occupies in the country today a pre-eminent position.

Serving almost as a link with those eminent men of the past is Mr Oscar Lawrence Burrell, Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Burrell is a byword among Madras Policemen for efficiency and discipline. He is the only Englishman among Police officers of the I.P.S. cadre, now serving in India. While many chose to retire after 1947, Burrell decided to stay on because of his love for his work, wherever it might be.

Rightly, therefore, he has, today, the pride of place of being the only Englishman, among Police Officers, who has been awarded the Police and Fire Services Medal. When Mr Bishnuram Medhi, Governor of Madras, on behalf of the President of India, on Sept. 5 at a ceremonial parade, pins this coveted medal to his tunic, history will be made in the annals of Indo-British cooperation and goodwill, forging yet another link in the chain that binds these two countries.' (Newspaper cutting included in lot refers)

Burrell retired in 1959, and was employed as the Secretary of the Madras Club; during H.M. The Queen's visit to India in 1961, H.R.H. Prince Philip remarked to Burrell, 'If you have been here so long, my word you must really like it.'

Burrell returned to the UK, and in later life lived in Horam, East Sussex.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,600