Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Acting Chief Inspector E. A. Lear, Bristol City Police Fire Brigade

Bristol City Police Long Service Medal, silver, 1 clasp, Twenty Two Years (Ins. E. Lear.) with top silver riband bar; Association of Professional Fire Brigade Officers Long Service Medal, silver (Inspector E. A. Lear. 1927.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (2) £140-£180

Ernest Alfred Lear was born in Bedminster, Bristol, in 1884, and joined the Bristol City Police on 18 April 1906. Attached to the Fire Brigade (which at this point was a sub-section of the City Police) he was licensed to drive motor fire engines on 29 January 1913, and was Highly Commended by the Watch Committee on the recommendation of the Chief Constable for his courage in descending the cliffs at the Sea Wall at Black Rocks attached to a rope at considerable risk to himself and rescuing a boy who was in an extremely dangerous position there on 9 June 1916, and received a gratuity of 3 guineas. He was promoted Sergeant on 1 October 1919, and Inspector (Fire Brigade) on 15 July 1925.

Lear was awarded his Bristol City Police Long Service Medal on 10 May 1927, and the 22 Year clasp on 2 May 1928. He was additionally awarded the Fire Brigade Officers Long Service Medal on 30 May 1927. Advanced Acting Chief Inspector, he retired to pension on 31 May 1933, and died in Bristol on 5 October 1960.

Sold with copied research including a group photographic image featuring the recipient.