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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 342

An interesting M.V.O., K.P.M. group of three awarded to Captain G. R. B. Drummond, who served as Chief Constable of West Sussex from 1879-1912

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse numbered '246'; King's Police Medal, G.V.R. (Capt. George R. B. Drummond, M.V.O., Ch. Const. W. Sussex.); Coronation 1911, County & Borough Police (Captain George Robinson Bridge Drummond. M.V.O., Chief Constable.), contemporarily engraved naming, good very fine (3)

M.V.O. London Gazette 12 August 1904, upon the visit of H.M. King Edward VII to Goodwood.

K.P.M. London Gazette 2 January 1912. The recommendation states:

'32 Years' service as Chief Constable, distinguished by ability and merit. He has rendered valuable services to the Government in connection with special enquiries, and is the senior of the Chief Constables of counties in England and Wales.'

George Robinson Bridge Drummond was born on 1 May 1845 at Brighton, Sussex and was educated at Cheltenham College. Appointed Ensign in the 95th Regiment on 30 January 1862, he transferred into the Indian Army and joined the 26th Bombay Native Infantry. Promoted Lieutenant on 16 July 1864, Drummond was appointed a Superintendent of Police (4th Grade) on 23 July 1870. Serving in Broach District, he fell sick and was put on sick furlough in England, but returned and was advanced Captain on 12 March 1872. He held various staff appointments and was an interpreter in Hindustani and Marathi, besides being appointed Adjutant of the Khandeish Bheel Corps.

Leaving the Army in 1874, he returned to Sussex, was married, and was appointed Chief Constable of West Sussex in 1880, in what was to be a long and fruitful posting. He earned an M.V.O. upon the visit of King Edward VII for the Goodwood Racing Festival in 1904 and the 1911 Coronation Medal in 1911, before earning one of the first K.P.M.s in 1912.

Having served for over 32 years as Chief Constable, Drummond held a number of appointments in the West Sussex community, being Chairman of the General Committee (Police Orphanage), President of the League of Mercy (Horsham District), Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters and President of the Sussex Police Cricket and Outing Clubs. He was afforded a luncheon upon retirement in 1912 on the Priory Park Cricket grounds, Chichester, when an exhibition match was held. He was presented his 1911 Coronation Medal by the Mayor of Chichester and was also showered with a variety of retirement gifts, including a writing desk, a pair of candlesticks and a pair of inkstands in the shape of Police helmets, while Mrs Drummond was presented a diamond and sapphire brooch. A Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association trough, placed in commemoration of his service in Horsham is still in place diagonally opposite the Capitol Theatre. Drummond, a keen shot and croquet player, who lived at 14 The Drive, Hove, died on 27 April 1927; sold together with copied research and a number of photographs.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£800