Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Visit to Southern Rhodesia 1947, by Percy Metcalfe, obverse: crowned and robed busts of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth facing left; reverse: crowned ‘GRE’ cypher (Det. Chf. Insp. Greengrass, M.M. C.I.D. Hd’qtrs. Byo. S. Rhod.), 39mm., silver, ref. W. & E. 7900.3, extremely fine, rare £100-140

Daniel Harold Greengrass was born in Chislehurst, Kent. A Carpenter by occupation, he enlisted into the 7th (Service) Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment on 4 September 1914, aged 20 years, and was appointed an unpaid Lance-Corporal on 21 July 1915. A few days later, on 27 July, he landed at Le Havre with his battalion. He attained the rank of paid Lance-Corporal in November 1916. For his wartime services he was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 19 November 1917). Transferred to Class ‘Z’ Reserve in March 1919, he was demobilized on 31 March 1920. Additionally entitled to the 1914-15 Star trio of medals.

After the war Greengrass joined the British South African Police in Southern Rhodesia. As an Inspector in the B.S.A.P. he was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service (London Gazette 14 June 1945). At the time of the Royal visit to Southern Rhodesia in 1947 he had attained the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. Greengrass later retired to England, living at ‘The Chimes’, 116 Arundel Road, Littlehampton, Sussex. He died on 25 April 1964. With copied Army service papers, m.i.c., gazette extracts and other research.