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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 788

The mounted M.B.E. group of five miniature dress medals worn by Inspector W. Hughes-Halls, British South Africa Police

Rhodesia, Meritorious Service Medal; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type Member's Civil Division M.B.E. Badge; War Medal 1939-45; Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C, G.V.R.; Jubilee 1935, mounted as worn, ribbands a little frayed, very fine (5)

Sold together with B.S.A.P. cap and shoulder Badges, a pair of hallmarked silver cuffinks and his card.

The image of Chief Maduna Mafu taken by Hughes-Halls in the Insiza District is used on the front cover of The Unsettled Land: State-making & the Politics of Land in Zimbabwe, 1893-2003.

Walter Hughes-Halls enlisted in the BSAP on 28 December 1907 and retired to pension on 5 September 1943. The following is his obituary from The Outpost of February 1978. (with one correction):

'One of the oldest surviving former members of the B.S.A. Police, ex-Inspector Walter Hughes-Halls, died at Nazareth House, Salisbury on 22 February.

"HH" as he was known to policemen of many generations, was born in York, England, in 1888. He came to Rhodesia and attested in the Force in 1907, subsequently serving at various centres throughout the country before retiring in 1943 after 36 years' service. He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1930 (this is incorrect as in 1930 this award did not exist - he was actually awarded the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Southern Rhodesia Gazette, Volume VIII No. 15 Govt. Notice 254 of 11 April 1930.) and the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. In 1945 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his "outstanding contributions to the Salisbury Central AND Branch Committees of the B.S.A. Police Regimental Association.

On leaving the Force, Mr Hughes-Halls became secretary at the old Salisbury African Hospital and after serving the country for half-a-century, he finally retired in 1958 at the age of 70.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1973 for his "dedication to the welfare of former members of the B.S.A. Police". He also took a great interest in Rhodesian history and did much for the preservation of articles and places of historic interest.

The semi-military funeral took place at Greendale on 24 February when the Commissioner was represented by Supt A.O. MacIsaac of PGHQ; the O.C. Salisbury Province represented by Supt. C. Bigg-Wither and the Regimental Association by C. Insp J. B. McAlister. A large contingent of ex-members of the Force was headed by former Commissioner S. F. S. Bristow. To his son, Michael Hughes-Halls we extend the condolences of serving and former members of the Force throughout the world.'


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Sold for
£190

Starting price
£60