Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine O.B.E., K.P.M. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel L. Gamble, Indian Army and Burma Military Police

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Lawrence Gamble, I.A., Burma Military Police); British War and Victory Medals (Lt.) officially re-impressed; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1930-31, Burma 1930-32 (Maj., 2-4 G.R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Maj., 2-4 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, these unnamed, mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £900-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 21 December 1944. ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ ‘Lt. Colonel, Indian Army’

Recommendation: 'Lt. Col. Gamble has been commanding 16 Reinforcement Camp from 1 Jan to 30 Apr 44. He has been untiring and has shown considerable initiative. Training courses run by him are excellent and it is largely due to his personal efforts that drafts from India and casualties evacuated to the Reinforcement Camp return to their units cheerful, fit and efficient.' (Recommended by Major-General D. Russell, Comd. 8 Indian Division)

K.P.M. London Gazette 2 January 1933. ‘Captain, Indian Army, Burma Military Police.’

Citation (taken from The Rangoon Times, 12 January 1933) 'Captain Gamble has been serving in the Tharrawaddy District since September 1931. He has shown himself to be an organiser and leader of outstanding merit. No information, however meagre, was allowed to pass without full investigation. His co-operation with the district officials has been exceptional. He organised and carried out an intensive blockage against the rebels in the Tharrawaddy area and led several attacks on their camps. The principal attack was directed against the leading rebel, Boh Myat Aung, after he came over from the Pegu District in March 1932. This attack was so skilfully organised that it resulted in the surprise and destruction of the main rebel camp. This success was followed up with unremitting pressure and finally resulted in the surrender of the leading rebel, Boh Myat Aung, on April 13th, which virtually ended the organised rebellion in the district.' 

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 August 1943 & 23 May 1946. 

Lawrence Gamble was born on 9 April 1895. He received his first commission in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment on 26 July 1913 before entering the Indian Army in August 1918. He served between the wars in the 2-4th Gurkha Regiment. As a Captain being attached to the Burma Military Police, he was awarded the K.P.M. in the New Years Honours of 1933 for his successful operations against rebels in the Tharrawaddy District. He attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1942. For his services during the Second World War he was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the O.B.E. After the war he lived at 'Frensham', Carrol Avenue, Orchard Close, Ferndown, Dorset.   

With O.B.E. bestowal document, with associated Buckingham Palace slip; M.I.D. certificates, with accompanying slip; related papers and some copied research.

See following lot for the recipient’s miniature medals.