Orders, Decorations and Medals

A superb M.B.E., C.P.M. and long service group of nine awarded to Assistant Superintendent Harry Pipe, Swaziland Police, late South African Constabulary and 5th Mounted Rifles

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) 2nd type; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1786 3rd Cl. Tpr. H. Pipe, S.A.C.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. H. Pipe, 5th M.R.); Colonial Police Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Meritorious Service (Hd. Const. Harry Pipe, Swaziland Police); Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., fixed suspension (No. 44 Corporal Harry Pipe); Union of South Africa Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Warrant Officer 1st Cl. Harry Pipe, Swaziland Police) mounted as worn, the earlier medals with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine and a very rare group (9) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1952.

C.P.M. for Meritorious Service London Gazette 13 June 1946.

M.S.M. awarded 31 October 1941. One of only two awards known to have been made to the Swaziliand Police.

L.S. & G.C. medal Official Gazette of the High Commissioner for South Africa 27 April 1923.

Harry Pipe was born on 18 August 1881, at Rendlesham in Suffolk. He served in the S.A.C. from May 1901 to August 1911, taking part in the Boer War, and joined the Swaziland Police in 1914. He was released for active service in the Great War with the Imperial Light Horse and served in German south-west Africa. As a Corporal he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1923. He retired on 18 August 1941, but on the following day was temporarily re-engaged during the War, receiving his M.S.M. later that year. As a Head Constable he was presented with his C.P.M. by King George VI on 25 March 1947 at an investiture at Goedegun during the Royal Visit to Swaziland and South Africa. Pipe was appointed an M.B.E. shortly before retiring for a second time in October 1952. In spite of this he was re-engaged as Quartermaster from March 1952 to 19 June 1955. Returning to England in 1956, he lived in Cornwall, and died at Liskeard on 5 March 1957, aged 76.

Sold with an original parchment certificate of discharge from the Transvaal Police, dated 17 August 1911, and comprehensive research.