An impressive Second War C.I.E., inter-War C.B.E. and K.P.M. group of six awarded to Indian...

An impressive Second War C.I.E., inter-War C.B.E. and K.P.M. group of six awarded to Indian Inspector General of Police D. A. Smyth, who devoted over 30 years of service to maintaining law and order in India, much of that time being spent in the isolated foothills of the Himalayas countering ‘bandits’ The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamel, with short section of neck riband for display purposes; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with 1st type neck riband; King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (David Alexander Smyth. Indian Police Service.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, minor red enamel damage to motto on CBE, good very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- C.I.E. London Gazette 1 January 1941. C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1935. K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1925. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has earned a distinguished record for efficiency and excellent work throughout his service, and in particular for the discipline of the police force. He is always most popular with his men, who follow him implicitly and strive to attain the high ideals that he sets before them. In 1919 he was specially selected for the charge of the Saugor District, notorious for its numerous dacoities, carried out by bands working between the district and some adjoining Native States. During his two years in the district, he succeeded in breaking up and convicting several formidable bands of dacoits, by instilling a new spirit of assistance among the villagers, by securing keen enthusiasm among both the district police and the special armed force, and by enlisting the co-operation of the authorities of the Native States. He left the district practically free from dacoity, and there has been no recrudescence. On his transfer to Nagpur, he had to deal with two serious outbreaks of public disorder in 1923 - the Flag Agitation and the Hindu-Moslem communal trouble. Both these difficult periods were overcome with the minimum of friction and trouble. Under most trying conditions, which involved heavy work and much irritation to the police employed, his personal example of strict discipline, good humour and tactful arrangements, resulted in the settlement of these difficult matters without resentment against the police organisation; and at their close the reputation of the police never stood higher in public estimation. I recommend him strongly for the award of the King’s Police Medal in recognition of his services in the suppression of these public disorders.’ David Alexander Smyth was born on 24 November 1886 and arrived in India for service with the Police Department on 23 November 1907. Sent to Khamgaon on 5 November 1910, he transferred to Mandla on 15 September 1914 and held charge of the duties of the office of District Superintendent of Police from 14 October to 8 November 1914. Raised District Superintendent of Police at Chanda, he moved to Nagpur in 1919 and was awarded the K.P.M. whilst Superintendent of Police for the Nagpur District. Further recognised with the award of the C.B.E. whilst Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Provinces, Smyth later received the C.I.E. as Inspector General of Police (officiating), Central Provinces and Berar. Taking his retirement on 24 November 1941, Smyth returned home to 14 Cabra Park, Dublin, where he died on 3 January 1966. Sold with copied research.