Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War M.C., 1914 ‘H.M. Visit to the Front’ R.V.M. group of eight awarded to Inspector J. T. Curry, Metropolitan Police, who served during the Great War firstly in the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Intelligence), before being commissioned Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps; he subsequently served as a Detective Inspector in the White Slave Department

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (15334 Pte. J. Curry. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. J. T. Curry.); Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. J. T. Curry. M. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.S.. J. Curry. C. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan police (P.S. J. Curry.) very fine (8) £1400-1800

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

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M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915.

John Thomas Curry joined the Metropolitan Police and served ‘M’ (Southwark) Division, before transferring to the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard and being promoted Detective Inspector. On the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 he was one of 24 men from the C.I.D. selected for Army Intelligence and posted to the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, for service on the Western Front. This regimental assignment was merely a paper front to disguise the true identity of the ‘Hush-Hush Brigade’ as they became known by their police colleagues- the social and educational make up of the other ranks of the 10th (Stockbroker’s) Battalion providing perfect cover for those recruited for Intelligence Work, and indeed Curry’s Medal Index Card lists his Corps as ‘C.I.D. Scot: Yard’. Advanced Company Sergeant Major, he was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver on the occasion of H.M. the King’s visit to the Front on 5 December 1914, and was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1915, and was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915). On the cessation of hostilities he re-joined the Metropolitan Police, and worked for a time in the White Slave Department.