Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Lieutenant Gerald A. Swift, Zhob Militia, latterly Inspector-General of Police, United Provinces - a recipient of the K.P.M.

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut., Zhob Militia); Jubilee 1935 (G. A. Swift, I.P.); Coronation 1937 (G. A. Swift, I.P.) mounted court style as worn, slight edge bruising, very fine and better (5) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Indian Police.

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Gerald Swift was born on 13 July 1895. On 3 September 1914 he enlisted as a Private in the 2/9th Battalion London Regiment, Queen Victoria’s Rifles. On 5 January 1915 he was commissioned into the 9th Battalion Queen’s Regiment. Involved in a motor-cycle accident in June 1915 caused injuries which reduced his fitness. However, being found fit for overseas garrison duties, in January 1916 he was transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment serving in India. He arrived in India in March 1916 Promoted to Lieutenant in July 1917, he was seconded to the 33rd (Divisional Signals) Company in Quetta in October that year. In May 1918 he was seconded to the Foreign and Political Department for service with the Zhob Militia. With them Swift saw service in the Third Afghan War. He left the Militia in June 1920 and returned to England and relinquished his commission while retaining his rank in July 1920.

In November 1920 Swift joined the Indian Police as an Assistant Superintendent attached to the United Provinces. He became an Officiating Superintendent in May 1923 and was confirmed in that rank in June 1930. His appointments included Moradabad, Jhansi, Lucknow, Bareilly, Ballia and Fyzabad. In March 1940 he was Superintendent of Police at Bareilly. Awarded the K.P.M. (1 January 1948) as Deputy Inspector-General of Police, United Provinces (medal not with lot). Gerald Swift, latterly of 24 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, London, died on 26 January 1960.

With a quantity of copied research, including m.i.c., service papers and gazette extracts.