A RARE SECOND WAR KING’S POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY GROUP AWARDED TO INSPECTOR, LINCOLNSHIRE CONSTABULARY, FOR APPREHENDING AN ARMED ABSCONDER AND MAKING SAFE A DROPPED GRENADE, 26 OCTOBER 1944

KING’S POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R., 1ST ISSUE, FOR GALLANTRY ‘HAROLD P. WITHERS, INSPR., LINCOLNSHIRE CONSTABY.’, DEFENCE MEDAL; CORONATION 1953, POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R., 2ND ISSUE ‘INSPR. HAROLD P. WITHERS.’

K.P.F.S.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 14 June 1945. The recommendation states:

‘On 26th October 1944, Inspector Withers began investigations into the theft of stores from the Home Guard, and suspected George Ashford an absconder from an approved school. The following day, the Inspector was with Constable Selby in a car, when he saw Ashford in a soldier’s uniform. As Constable Selby approached the boy, he pulled a hand grenade from his pocket, and was about to pull the pin, as the Constable grabbed his arms, pinning them to his side. Inspector Withers came up as Ashford freed himself, but the Inspector punched him on the jaw, knocking him down. Ashford dropped the grenade, which Inspector Withers picked up, and made safe.’

Harold Poynton Withers served as an Inspector with the Lincolnshire Constabulary; both he and Police Constable Arthur Selby were awarded the King’s Police and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry for this action.

Condition NEF, mounted as worn. Ex DNW 2018.