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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 400

The very rare 'double M.S.M.' group of ten awarded to Captain S. R. G. 'Stan' Carey, Royal Signals, later Section Leader, British South Africa Police Reserve

Zimbabwe Independence Medal 1980, officially numbered '53717'; Rhodesia, Meritorious Service Medal, Military (10102E Sec Ldr S. R. G. Carey); Rhodesia, Meritorious Service Medal, Civil (Mr S. R. G. Carey); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Rhodesia, General Service Medal (10102E F/R S. R. G. Carey); Rhodesia, Police Reserve L.S. & G.C. (10102E Sec/Ldr Carey S. R. G.), mounted for display in this order, good very fine and a unique combination (10)

M.S.M. (Military), presented at the Morris Depot, 23 April 1980. The citation states:

'Section Leader Carey attested into the Police Reserve on 17 December 1960 and at the age of 62 years is still active and in charge of his own section at Goromonzi. Throughout his service, Section Leader Carey has given loyal, enthusiastic and dedicated service.'

M.S.M. (Civil) Government Gazette 7 December 1979:

'Mr. Carey has been deeply involved in the local and civil affairs of the Arctutus District for 22 years, having served as the Secretary of the Old Road Council and the Arcturus Rural Council throughout this period.

He has proved to be a Secretary of exceptional ability whose hard work and devotion to duty has significantly contributed to the development of the district. His record of service to the community also includes 19 years with the Police Reserve and membership of a number of the local bodies including the Goromonzi Civil Defence Committee, the Arcturus/Enterprise Co-Ordinating Committee and the Church Council. He is also at the present time Vice President of the Institute of Rural Council Secretaries.

Mr. Carey is a quiet and unassuming person with a proud record of service to the community of Arcturus.'

Stanley Richard George Carey was born on 4 April 1917 at Bulawayo, the son of a serving member of the British South Africa Police. Educated at Prince Edwards Boys High School, he joined the Southern Rhodesia General Post Office and was on holiday with his mother in England upon the outbreak of war in 1939. It was stated that the '...could not get back to the colony fast enough' to enlist, being posted to the Signals Training Company before joining the Royal Signals. Having seen active service in Africa and North-West Europe and having been commissioned he was returned to Africa in 1946. His commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel C. Kidd wrote to the Postmaster-General:

'It has been a great honour to have commanded a S.R. Company for three years in this war. The Company was composed of some 35 of the finest men I have ever known. Of them all, none has rendered more outstanding service than Carey, and none has done more to increase the prestige of the Southern Rhodesia General Post Office. I hate to see him go for selfish reasons, and I can only make this gesture in the hope that he will get his just reward in Southern Rhodesia.'

Having married Irene Dowson in 1947, the couple moved to Arcturus, some 32km east of Salisbury, with 'Stan' becoming a rock of the community. Having been awarded his most unusual M.S.M. in both classes - one of just three awarded - he died on 7 February 1993; sold together with the certificate award for the M.S.M. (Military), a card box containing rank insignia, unmounted miniature awards and a file of research, including original G.S.M. issuance documents, copied photographs and letters.

An article on the recipient was published in Journal of the Zimbabwe Medal Society, No. 60, January 2008.

For the Medals of his mother and father-in-law, please see Lots xxx and xxx.

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Sold for
£2,500