Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 57

The impressive 'Fall of Hong Kong' group of four awarded to Captain A. B. Allan, Divisional Inspector of Police, Hong Kong Royal Naval Dockyard Police and Dockyard Defence Corps group of four, who earned a 'mention' and a rare Hong Kong Royal Naval Dockyard Police Long Service Medal

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Hong Kong Royal Naval Dockyard Police Long Service, G.V.R. (A. B. Allen. [sic]), good very fine (4)

M.I.D. London Gazette 2 July 1946:

'For distinguished services during the Defence of Hong Kong and while Prisoners of War in enemy hands.'

Alexander Bruce Allan was born at Hornsey, London on 6 February 1885. During the Great War he served in the Gordon Highlanders in France from 5 December 1914 (1914 Star Trio - almost certainly lost at the Fall of Hong Kong).

He thence went out to Hong Kong and joined the Hong Kong Royal Naval Dockyard Police. Following a request from the Indian Contingent of the Police in 1922, the rare Long Service Medal was instituted. Some six months later, four Officers (Allan included) filed a Petition on 9 December 1922 that the Europeans should be similarly rewarded. So it was that he was to be presented with Medal No. 5 in 1923, whilst a Sergeant. The Royal Mint state 281 Medals were struck with five obverse types, but it appears that only some 150 or so were ever issued.

In 1935, he was appointed as an Advisor upon the establishment of the Singapore Dockyard Police, and by the outbreak of the Second World War he was a Divisional Inspector and a Captain in the Dockyard Defence Corps. This band of brothers played its part in stemming the onslaught upon Hong Kong but Allan would go 'in the bag'. He was held at Sham Shui Po from 29 December 1941-15 April 1942, Argyle Street from 16 April 1942-7 May 1944 and again at Sham Shui Po from 8 May 1944-4 September 1945. Finally making it home, Allan died at 118 Leicester Road, New Barnet on 13 December 1950; sold together with his riband bar, a postcard of him and copied research, including extracts from the Douglas-Morris work Naval Long Service Medals.

For his miniature dress medals, please see Lot 142.

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

Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£600