Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An M.B.E., I.P.M. pair awarded to Assistant Director Gerald Columba Ryan, Intelligence Bureau, Home Department, Indian Police

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, in Royal Mint case of issue; Indian Police Medal, G.VI.R., for Distinguished Conduct (G. C. Ryan, I.P., District Supdt. of Police, Thana, Bombay), in case of issue, extremely fine (2) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Indian Police.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 12 June 1947. ‘Gerald Columba Ryan, Esq., Indian Police, Assistant Director, Intelligence Bureau, Home Department, Government of India.’

With a photocopied letter, dated Poona, 3 November 1941, referring to Ryan, ‘Respected Sir, Today I happened to read in Bombay Information, about your brave and daring capture of the criminal Nana and the award of the Indian Police Medal by the Viceroy in recognition thereof. I cannot help offering my admiration and adoration for your brave deed. .... To my mind, going alone (while you could have commanded constables to follow you) without being armed by a pistol to round up a notorious criminal, is as daring, brave and noble as any act of civil or military officer can be. That you endangered your life in the course of discharge of official duty (in a foreign land) calls for the highest praise that an Indian can offer for any act. ..... (Signed) ‘An Indian’’

Ryan is mentioned several times in Sunset of the Raj, by John de Chazal - making reference to his being awarded the K.P.M. for gallantry (sic) for arresting a dangerous armed outlaw.

With copied M.B.E. gazette extract and book extracts.