Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 317

(x) A rare Shanghai Municipal Police D.C.M. group of three awarded to Chief Inspector S. V. Gash, Shanghai Municipal Police

Shanghai Municipal Police Distinguished Conduct Medal, 2nd Class Bronze issue (Inspector S. V. Gash), mounted as worn, reverse and rim cleaned, very fine, together with 1930-1 Shanghai Football Association Skottowe Cup and 1933-1934 Shanghai Football Association Skottowe Cup named to 'S.M.P. F.C. S. V. Gash (Capt.)' (3)

Shanghai D.C.M. awarded for '...great bravery and devotion to duty in an encounter with armed desperadoes on 24 March 1938.'

Stanley Victor Gash was born at Snodland, Kent on 1 March 1899 and during the Great War served in the Royal Air Force from March 1917. He joined the Shanghai Police in 1924 (No. 757), being advanced Sergeant in 1926, Inspector in 1936 and Chief Inspector in 1941.

His award of the Shanghai D.C.M. stemmed from his bravery in leading a party to enter the property at 1240 Avenue Edward VII which had been broken into by armed robbers. Having come down from Chengtu Station by car, he personally led the assault and arrested one of the criminals after he attempted to flee. Shots were fired but the Policemen brought the events to a close. His Medal was presented by Chairman of the Shanghai Council Mr Franklin on 31 October at the Race Course.

Following the uncontested invasion of Shanghai by the Japanese on 8 December 1941, life continued comparatively unchanged and Municipal Council staff were required to maintain the administration, under the Shanghai Provisional Council of 1941.

Under considerable pressure from the United States Administration, the foreign Extra Territorial Treaties, which had established the China Treaty ports in the 19th century (except that for Hong Kong), were abrogated on 11 January 1943, so that at the end of the Japanese War Shanghai and other occupied treaty ports would be returned to the Chinese Government (KMT) in Nanking.

On 9 February 1943, Gash and other expatriate members of allied countries were put into one of the internment camps in Shanghai - described as Civil Assembly Centres. Conditions in these Centres were far from civil and many died as a result of the privations. He was initially held at Yu Yuen Road Camp and then at Yangztepoo.

In view of the British/China treaty, when the employees of the Municipal Council, civil servants, Police, Fire, etc. came out of the internment camps in August and September 1945, they were unemployed. Some managed to obtain jobs in Shanghai and Hong Kong, but the majority went elsewhere. Although pension compensation payments were made by the British Foreign Office's 'Shanghai Liquidation Commission' to former Council employees, the struggle to obtain like compensation for lost property continued for many years. Having survived that ordeal, Gash found work as a Security Officer in Nigeria before retiring to England. He died at Worthing in July 1987.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1000