Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A mounted group of fourteen miniature dress medals attributed to Sergeant G. Rimmer, G.C., Indian Police, afterwards Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Royal Pioneer Corps

George Cross, silver; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Cyprus, Arabian Peninsula, Near East, silver; Coronation 1937, silver; Coronation 1953, silver; Jubilee 1977; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army, silver; Civil Defence Long Service, E.II.R., mounted as worn, very fine and better (14) £350-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Miniature Medals from the Collection of Mark Cline.

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Miniature medals, ex Spink 17 December 1997, lot 412; his full-size medals were sold in the same sale, lot 526.

E.G.M. London Gazette 3 June 1931. ‘Sergeant Rimmer showed on numerous occasions great courage and coolness. This officer’s pluck and presence of mind evoked the highest praise from his superiors, and he consistently set a fine example to the Constabulary under him.’ (With the institution of the George Cross in 1940, recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal were permitted to exchange their medal for the new award).

Reginald Rimmer was born in November 1902 and enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1918. Being discharged at the time of the Armistice as ‘not attaining the physical standard required for H.M. Forces.’, he re-enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment serving in Ireland, 1920-21. He was then posted to India where he transferred to the Indian Police. It was for service in India during 1927-31 that he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal in 1931. On one occasion, Rimmer, although unnamed, confronted a criminal armed with a knife. Stabbed through the wrist and losing blood fast, he was able to hail a taxi and mutter ‘Hospital’ before passing out.

On the outbreak of the Second World War, Rimmer returned home and joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, subsequently seeing service in North Africa. In 1942 he transferred to the Occupied Territory Administration (Civil Police) in Tripolitania and in 1945 to the Frontier Striking Force in Eritrea. In 1950 he returned to service with the Regular Army, seeing service in Kenya with the East African Pioneer Corps. He also saw service in Cyprus and in Aden, with the Aden Protectorate Levies. Retiring from the Army, he settled in Cheshire where he served as a Court Usher until the age of 65.

With the National Army Museum booklet, The Victoria Crosses and George Crosses of the Honourable East India Company & Indian Army 1856-1945; newspaper cutting with obituary; The Standard of St. George newsletter, April 1965, giving service details and copied auction catalogue extracts.