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medal, decoration

On display
human history
  • Other Name

    King's Police Medal for Gallantry GVI (descriptive name)

    Sub-Inspector Duncan George MacPherson (associated name)

  • Description

    King's Police Medal for Gallantry (GVI)

    Awarded to Sub-Inspector Duncan MacPherson, Hong Kong Police, 1947

    circular silver medal, ring suspension, with ribbon and brooch bar

    obverse: crowned head of King George VI facing left, legend around: GEORGIVS VI D: G:BR:OMN: REX ET INDIAE: IMP:

    reverse: helmetted warrior holding sword and shield, motto on shield: TO GUARD / MY / PEOPLE, in exergue: FOR GALLANTRY

    ribbon: navy blue with three white stripes with narrow red stripes running down centre

    named on edge: DUNCAN G. MACPHERSON SUB-INSP. HONG KONG POLICE FORCE

    markings:

    obverse: medallist's initials below king's neck: PM

    reverse: initials above exergue: GB

  • Place
  • Associated Place
  • Accession Number
    2001.25.622
  • Accession Date
    15 Aug 2001
  • Other Id

    7634 (Asset Register)

  • Department
  • Display Room
King's Police Medal for Gallantry 2001.25.622

Images and documents

Images

Artefact

  • Display location

    Pou Maumahara drawer bank 6, drawer B, medal position 28

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2001.25.622 Brent Mackrell Collection
  • Collection
  • Primary Maker

     Percy Metcalfe (Medallist)

  • Place
  • Date
    Circa 1947
  • Associated Notes

    King's Police Medal for Gallantry (GVI)

    Medal awarded to Sub-Inspector Duncan George MacPherson, Hong Kong Police in 1947.

    Gazetted on March 13, 1947

    The KING has been pleased to award the King's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry to the undermentioned Officers of Police: —

    Duncan George MacPherson, Lance-Sergeant (now Sub-Inspector), Hong Kong Police.

    Commissioner Duncan George MacPherson, Hong Kong Police

    Colonial Police Force (CPF).

    Served:

    1930s: Hong Kong Police

    WW2: Hong Kong, Singapore.

    In 1942 the Hong Kong Police were sworn in as auxiliary troops. MacPherson's rank was Lance Sgt. During the Japanese occupation he was taken prisoner and was interned at the Stanley POW Camp where he met and married Doris BrooksWW2: Hong Kong, Singapore.

    In 1941-42 the Hong Kong Police were sworn in as auxiliary troops. MacPherson's rank was Lance Sgt. During the Japanese occupation he was taken prisoner and was interned at the Stanley POW Camp where he met and married Doris Brooks (the daughter of Henry Tom Brooks).

    post-WW2: Hong Kong Police (until early-1950s) then appointed (circa 1955) to the Police Force in Kenya during the 'Maumau rebellion'.

    Retired from Police Force and to emigrated to New Zealand and worked as the first superintendent of Auckland Harbour Bridge.

    "D. G. McPherson - When he retired as bridge superintendent in 1978, McPherson ended a rich career which had seen him swap gunfire with bank robbers and pirates in Hong Kong; he had earlier led volunteer raids behind Japanese lines in World War II to help civilians escape the Japanese advance; he was entangled in gun battles during China's communist struggles; he became director of criminal intelligence in Hong Kong and then transferred to Kenya where he helped check the Mau Mau uprising. His abiding memory of the bridge was the car that skidded and rolled on to its roof as it approached the toll plaza. As it came to a rest, a hand emerged from the upturned vehicle, holding a 20c piece."

    From: Paul Lewis, "Auckland's 175th anniversary: The bridge that nearly sailed away", New Zealand Herald, January 31st, 2015

    (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11394299)

  • Associated Person
  • Associated Place
  • Period
  • Media
  • Measurement Description
    medal height: 44mm
    total height: 86mm
  • Measurement Reading

    86mm

    44mm

    36mm

    32mm

  • Classification
  • Last Update
    19 Mar 2024
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