Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

A rare Burma Police Medal group of three awarded for gallantry to Assistant Superintendent J. W. Capel, Burma Police

Burma Police Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Asst. Superintendent James Wynn Capel, Armed Police) contained in its Royal Mint presentation case; Defence & War Medals, in their card box of issue addressed to ‘Lt. J. W. Capel’, extremely fine and rare (3) £800-1000

Burma Police Medal (Gallantry) Burma Gazette 1 March 1947: ‘On the 15th July 1946 Mr. Capel while on patrol with other Police Officers and a section of Armed Police in Myaungmya District received information that three motor boats had just been dacoited in the vicinity. Mr. Capel and his party immediately gave chase and were fortunate in catching up with the dacoits about five miles away. The dacoits opened fire on the Police party and a battle ensued. The dacoits went into the bank and swam ashore but Mr. Capel led his party after them in spite of being exposed to fire from the dacoits then in cover in kaing jungle. Of ten dacoits, four were killed in the engagement and three were captured. The remaining three were arrested subsequently. Six rifles, over 300 rounds of ammunition and much loot was captured.

‘Again on the 27th January about 400 heavily armed rebels, including about 150 who had participated in the attack on Kyagan Police Station, were camped at Shwegon, Kyonmange Police Station. On the 28th January, Mr. Capel with a much inferior force set out to contact them and on the 29th engaged a fully armed detachment of 32 at Ngaybo Village, Kyagan Police Station. He routed this gang and pursued them and after a determined chase succeeded in capturing ten of their number and recovered one Sten gun and nine rifles and a quantity of ammunition and equipment.

‘In the above two engagements Mr. Capel showed great gallantry and leadership and set an excellent example to his men. His leadership and handling of his men has always been of the highest standard.’

A total of 141 awards of the Burma Police Medal have been traced in the Burma Gazette during the existence of this rare award (1938-48). 53 of these awards were made for gallantry, as opposed to meritorious service, and only five of these gallantry awards were made to Eourpeans.