Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Second War period O.B.E., K.P.M., I.P.M. group of four awarded to Hugh Dallas Latham, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Madras

The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) 2nd type; King’s Police Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Distinguished Service (Indian Police, Madras); Indian Police Medal, G.VI.R, for Meritorious Service (O.B.E., D.I.G. of Police, Madras); Coronation 1937; together with corresponding dress miniatures and ribbon bar, good very fine or better (8) £350-450

O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1942 (Indian Police, Special Air Raid Precautions Officer, Madras).

K.P.M. London Gazette 2 January 1939 (Assistant District Superintendent of Police, Officiating as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Madras). Sold with a copy of the lengthy recommendation for this award from which the following is extracted: ‘On the night of 27th April 1937, there was a Hindu-Moslem riot in a certain quarter of Madras city. Although not on duty on that day, when he heard of the riot, he came to the spot and rendered valuable assistance. On this and the following night he personally led his men in restoring order.

From 28 April 1937 for a period of nearly a month this particular quarter of the city was subjected to constant alarms and panics on account of sporadic assaults and stabbing cases by members of one community against members of the other.

Throughout that time, Mr Latham was given no rest and, in fact he lived in the Police Station concerned for a considerable time. He organised all motor patrols over a wide area and made arrangements for housing and feeding the extra police drafted into that area, and at the same time attended to every case reported in person. He was a fine example to all ranks in his unremitting devotion to his duty. The physical and mental strain of such a period was considerable, and Mr Latham’s calm and collected leadership under most trying circumstances is worthy of the highest praise.’