A scarce O.B.E., K.P.M. group of three awarded to Chief Superintendent J. C. Brundell, Criminal Investigation Department, British South Africa Police - the first officer of the B.S.A. Police to be awarded the K.P.M

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for 1919, note date); King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Supt., C.I.D. And Ch. Immgn. Offr., Capt. J. C. Brundell, Brit. S.A. Pol.); Jubilee 1935, generally very fine or better (3) £600-800

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1935 (Civil).

K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1924.

Joseph Cyril Brundell was born in Surrey in 1878, and ‘the whole Corps will unite in congratulating the Chief Superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department of the B.S.A. Police [Brundell] on the honour [O.B.E.] recently conferred upon him by His Majesty the King.

Major Brundell, whose photograph appears here-with, is the oldest serving officer in the Corps. He came to Rhodesia in 1900, and, after being engaged in mining work for a year, was attested as a special detective in the Matabeleland Constabulary. He obtained a commission in 1911 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1926. In 1929 he attained his present rank.

As a junior officer, Major Brundell organised both in this country and in Northern Rhodesia, the Criminal Investigation and the Immigration Departments, and was also responsible for the introduction in the Colony of the finger-print system of identification. In addition to his position as Chief Superintendent of the C.I.D., Major Brundell is also in charge of the Central Finger Print Bureau, is the Registrar of Native Foreigners and Registrar of the Central Alien Tax Bureau; he is Chief Immigration Officer for Southern Rhodesia and is a Justice of the Peace for the Colony.

To Major Brundell belongs the distinction of being the first officer in the B.S.A. Police to be awarded the King’s Police Medal after the granting of Responsible Government in 1924.

The freedom from the restrictions imposed in terms of the Union Immigration Quota Act of 1930, which residents of this Colony now enjoy, is due to the efforts of this distinguished officer, who successfully negotiated an intricate and delicate agreement between the two Governments in 1930.’ (The Outpost, February 1935, refers)

Brundell began his detective service in Bulawayo and at the formation of the CID within the BSAP remained there as Departmental Headquarters stayed in that city until the late 1950s. Major Brundell retired on 29 October 1936. As a Detective, Brundell had received a mention in the press in 1910 when, with other detectives, he ended a burglary spree in Bulawayo with the arrest of four. Later as a Sub-Inspector, Brundell was mentioned in connection with a charge of perjury against a BSAP Constable following a liquor contravention. The accused was convicted and later dismissed from the Corps. Brundell died in Bulawayo on 22 February 1938.

1 of 12 Jubilee 1935 Medals awarded to the B.S.A. Police.

Sold with copied research, and photographic images of recipient.