Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An inter-War O.B.E., post-War K.P.F.S.M. group of four awarded to R. Mitchell, Esq., Chief Constable of Kincardineshire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; King’s Police and Fire Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Distinguished Service (Robert Mitchell. O.B.E. Chief Const. Kincardineshire Constab.); Jubilee 1935 (Chief Constable R. Mitchell.) contemporarily engraved naming; Coronation 1937 (Chief Constable R. Mitchell, O.B.E.) contemporarily engraved naming, good very fine and better (4) £400-£500

O.B.E. London Gazette 11 May 1937: Robert Mitchell, Esq., Chief Constable of Kincardineshire.

K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 12 June 1947: Robert Mitchell, O.B.E., Chief Constable, Kincardineshire Constabulary.

Robert Mitchell was born in 1883 and joined the Aberdeenshire Constabulary in July 1902, where he served for five years, latterly as a Clerk in the County Chief Constable’s Office. He transferred to the Ayr Burgh Police in August 1907, and was promoted Sergeant and Court Officer that same year. He was subsequently advanced to Chief Clerk and then Confidential Clerk to the Chief Constable, and was finally promoted Inspector in charge of the uniform branch in February 1923.

Mitchell was appointed Chief Constable of Kincardineshire in March 1924, and served in this role for the next 25 years. During his period in charge of the Kincardineshire Constabulary he was responsible for ensuring that the force had their own patrol cars and radio communication, when other forces had been equipped with bicycles. He was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Coronation Honours’ List in 1937, and was awarded the King’s Police and Fire Service Medal in the 1947 Birthday Honours’ List. He retired, following the amalgamation of Kincardineshire into the Scottish North-Eastern Counties Constabulary, in May 1949.

Sold with the original Bestowal Document for the O.B.E., in named Central Chancery envelope, together with 10 Downing Street and Central Chancery letters regarding the award and investiture; copies of the recipient’s Application and Testimonials for the positions of Chief Constable of both Ayrshire ands Fife (both applications unsuccessful); a large photograph of the members of the Chief Constables (Scotland) Association 1945; a portrait photograph of the recipient; and other ephemera.