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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 363

A rare 1952 M.B.E. group of six awarded to Chief Superintendent K. A. Byrne, British South Africa Police, a long-served member of the unit who was commissioned from the ranks during the Great War

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd Type breast Badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (A-51 Pte. K. A. Byrne. B.S.A.P.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. K. A. Byrne.), BWM partially officially re-impresssed; Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-45, unnamed as issued; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ass. Supt. Kenelm A. Byrne.), good very fine and a rare combination (6)

23 M.B.E.'s awarded to the British South Africa Police.

M.B.E. London Gazette 5 June 1962.

Kenelm Austin Byrne was born in 1891 at Clapham, London and entered the Civil Service in 1907. Living at 6 Thorncliffe Road, Brixton Hill by 1911, at the time of the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted for the British South Africa Police and served in German East Africa from 3 October 1915. A Member of Murray's Column, he earned a 'mention' for his service (Defence Orders 11 September 1919, High Commissioner's Notice No. 62, refers). Latterly commissioned, he enjoyed a long and fruitful link to the unit; a member of the British South Africa Police Reserve (1940-53) and commanded the Reserve in Mashonaland. Awarded with the M.B.E. in 1952, he attended the Murray's Column Reunion at the B.S.A.P. Club in Salisbury (sitting centre in image) and died on 5 November 1969; sold with copied Service Record and image of the reunion.

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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£320