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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 307

A 1939 K.P.M. group of five awarded to Assistant Chief Constable R. W. Brown, Somerset Constabulary

King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, G.V.I.R. (Robert W. Brown Supt. & Dep. Ch. Const. Somerset Constab.); Defence Medal 1939-45 (R. W. Brown.); Jubilee 1935 (R. W. Brown. Deputy Chief Constable of Somerset); Coronation 1937, G.V.I.R. (R. W. Brown. Deputy Chief Constable of Somerset); Coronation 1953 (R. W. Brown), these last four with privately engraved naming, edge bruising on K.P.M., generally very fine. (5)

K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1939.

Robert Wilcox Brown was born 21 April 1882, on Combe Farm in Gloucestershire, his father a farm labourer. There is little known about his upbringing, but he worked as a gardener prior to joining the Somerset Constabulary on 3 June 1903. During his first eight years in the service, Brown was posted in various places, but often returned to Weston-Super-Mare.

He became 2nd Class Constable, 26 July 1904, 1st Class Constable, 26 April 1905, and Merit Class Constable 26 January 1919 following four commendations from the justices. This included work on cases involving child cruelty, larceny, burglary, and sheep stealing.

Brown passed the Sergeant exam and was promoted 26 April 1919, followed by the Inspector's exam, which he failed on the first attempt, later passing and being promoted 26 April 1924. By 1935, Brown was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable and at this time was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal, and later, Brown was awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal.

In the New Year's Honours of 1939, Brown was awarded the King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, at the time in the substantive role of Superintendent. He attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace and was presented with the medal by His Majesty, George VI. In May 1939, Brown was appointed Assistant Chief Constable, the rank with which he retired in August 1944.

Soon after retiring, Brown became an Alderman in Weston-Super-Mare in 1949 and was elected Lord Mayor in 1952. In 1953, he was awarded the Coronation Medal of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Subsequently, he served on the town council for 16 years, later dying in April 1966 at the age of 84; sold with copied research and photographs of Brown as Lord Mayor of Weston-Super-Mare.

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Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320