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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 701

The superb 'Ypres 1917' M.M., '1912' K.P.M. (Gallantry) group of seven awarded to Sergeant B. J. Spencer, Military Mounted Police, later 2nd Dragoon Guards and Constable Metropolitan Police, a pre-war policeman who won his first award for putting his life on the line when a carthorse broke free and went on a rampage through Kentish Town

Enduring the retreat from Mons with the 2nd Dragoon Guards he won a Military Medal with the Military Mounted Police and went on to serve in the Home Guard in the Second World War

Military Medal, G.V.R. (P-4606 L.Cpl. A.Sjt. B. J. Spencer M.M.P.); King's Police Medal for Gallantry, G.V.R. (Bertie. Spencer. Const. Met. Pol.); 1914 Star, clasp (6154 Pte B. J. Spencer. 2/D.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (6154 Pte. B. J. Spencer. 2-D.Gds.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police Issue (P.C.. B. Spencer.); Jubilee 1935, mounted as worn, minor pitting and edge bruising, overall very fine (7)

M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.

K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1913.

Note the combination of an M.M. and K.P.M. is unique to the Military Mounted Police.

Bertie James Spencer was born at St. George's Pimlico on 8 November 1884, the son of James Spencer of the Metropolitan Police. Moving to Acton, Spencer found employment as a Brewer's Bottler before joining the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) with the number 6154. Posted to South Africa on 9 August 1905 he was to serve there until 1907 when the Regiment returned to Britain.

Joining the Met

Spencer saw home service for the next three years, finally leaving the Army on 22 October 1910; he then joined the Metropolitan Police the next month on 21 November. Here he thrived, earning an official commendation on 30 June 1911 for 'Special ability in the prosecution against two suspected persons'. Earning his Coronation Medal the next month, he married Elizabeth Fisher on 5 August 1911 at Acton.

The Kentish Town station General Occurrence Book reports upon the act of bravery which secured his award of the King's Police Medal for Gallantry. A horse attached to a brewery van outside the George V Pub on Holmes Road, Kentish Town, was startled by the noise of train yard nearby and bolted. Thrice, members of the public leapt to try and intercept the rampaging animal and on both occasions they were knocked down with the first man, George Childs, being killed.

As the terrified animal ploughed down Holmes Street Spencer, who was outside Holmes Street Police Station at the time, leapt into action. Grabbing hold of the left rein he was pulled along behind the animal onto Kentish Town Road and into Islip Steet. Managing to regain his feet he caught hold of the horse's noseband and nostrils, pulling it to a stop. Despite his success Spencer was clearly seriously hurt, being placed upon the sick list immediately. Commended and given a reward of £10 from the Bow Street Fund for his bravery, he was to be awarded the K.P.M. in the New Years Honours.

The Great War

Called back to the colours upon the outbreak of the Great War, Spencer re-joined on 5 August 1914 and returned to the 2nd Dragoon Guards. Entering the war in France on 14 August 1914 he was present with this unit during the Retreat from Mons during which they saw fighting at Nery on 1 September 1914. Here they held the line south of the village, near the guns of 'L' Battery as they made their famous stand. It was also detachment of the 2nd that took the Sugar Factory south of Nery when it was threatened by the German 18th Dragoons.

In spite of the heavy fighting Spencer managed to survive the fighting and continued to serve with the unit until, 6 November 1916 when he transferred to the Military Mounted Police. Having served with them for a year he was awarded the Military Medal while attached to the 25th Division at Ypres. At this time the Division had been in action at Messines and Pilkem with their HQ at Busseboom.

Postwar

Spencer was discharged on 28 March 1919 and returned to service with the Metropolitan Police. Continuing to serve with remarkable ability, he was given another Commendation in 1929. In this capacity he earned a further medal, still being in service during the 1935 Jubilee celebrations and finally retiring on 15 December 1935. This was not to be the end of his time in service however, as all too soon war once again covered Europe and Spencer once again donned uniform. He joined the Home Guard as a Private and served for duration of the war, losing his son in the sinking of the S.S. Lisbon Maru on 1 October 1942. Spencer died of lung cancer at Edgeware Hospital on 17 June 1954; sold together with a comprehensive file of research including typed biographies, General Occurrence Book entries, correspondence relating to the group and census data as well as attestation information, London Gazette extracts, information relating to the 2nd Dragoon Guards and Corps Book extracts as well as original material comprising:

i)
Sporting badges and medal, a number named to the recipient.

ii)
Soldier's Small book named to the recipient.

iii)
A Home Guard shoulder title.

iv)
Several original photographs of the recipient.

v)
A photograph of the recipient's father wearing his own medal group.

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Sold for
£4,800

Starting price
£550