condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

medal, service

On display
human history
  • Other Name

    Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service (descriptive name)

    Asst. Superintendent Duncan MacPherson, Hong Kong Police (associated name)

  • Description

    Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service

    Medal awarded to Assistant Superintendent Duncan MacPherson, Hong Kong Police Force in 1952.

    circular silver medal, ring suspension, with ribbon

    obverse: crowned head of King George VI facing left, legend around: GEORGIVS VI DEI: GRA: BRITT: OMN" REX FID: DEF: +

    reverse: at centre a sword and wreath, legend around: COLONIAL POLICE FORCES / FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE

    ribbon: green edges and central dark blue stripe with narrow white stripes either side

    named on edge in block capitals: ASST. SUPT. DUNCAN MACPHERSON HONG KONG POLICE

    markings:

    obverse: medallist's initials below neck of GVI: PM

  • Place
  • Associated Place
  • Accession Number
    2001.25.623.1
  • Accession Date
    15 Aug 2001
  • Other Id

    7589 (Asset Register)

  • Department
  • Display Room
Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service 2001.25.623.1

Images and documents

Images

Artefact

  • Display location

    Pou Maumahara drawer bank 6, drawer B, medal position 29

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2001.25.623.1 Brent Mackrell Collection
  • Collection
  • Primary Maker

     Percy Metcalfe (Medallist)

  • Place
  • Date
    [1936]
  • Associated Notes

    Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service

    Medal awarded to Assistant Superintendent Duncan MacPherson, Hong Kong Police Force in 1952.

    Gazetted onJune 5, 1952 (3042 Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 June 1952)

    Colonial Empire

    For Meritorious Service

    Duncan George MacPherson, Assistant Superintendent, Hong Kong Police Force.

    (http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/39555/supplements/3042/page.pdf)

    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: 85mm
  • Measurement Reading

    85mm

    44mm

    36mm

    32mm

  • Classification
  • Last Update
    19 Mar 2024
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity