Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

A K.P.M. group of three to Superintendent J. D. Boylan, Bihar and Orissa Police

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (John Dun Boylan, Supt., Bihar and Oressa Police), on ‘gallantry’ ribbon; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed; Volunteer Force Long Service (India and the Colonies), G.V.R. (Pte., 39th Chota Nagpur Regt. I.D.F.), rank officially corrected, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £420-460

K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919. Recommendation reads, ‘Mr Boylan has a blameless record and on several occasions has been specially commended in the annual report. He was the Superintendent of Police in Shahabad when serious [?] killing disturbances broke out. Mr Boylan with a small armed force of some 25 constables proceeded to the scene of the outbreak and for the whole night held the rioters in check. The mobs numbered anything from 25 to 50 thousand when the rioters eventually attacked the village of Piru. Mr Boylan with his handful of police succeeded in keeping them in check for a considerable time, and when the mob eventually got beyond control the small force of police held its own in such areas as it was able to protect. Mr Boylan was often in a critical situation and but for his coolness and presence of mind, an example of loyalty followed by his men, the police might easily have been overpowered and disarmed. The Special Tribunal which tried the rioters concerned in one of the first cases of the outbreak remarked as follows, “We cannot speak too highly of Mr Boylan’s untiring energy, coolness and presence of mind.” The Commissioner of the Division in his report on the disturbances says - “Mr Boylan, the Superintendent of Police, Shahabad, showed remarkable coolness and presence of mind in a particularly trying and difficult situation.” When the disturbances were eventually brought under control with Military help, Mr Boylan supervised the investigation of cases and rendered valuable services in restoring the affected areas to normal condition.’

John Dun Boylan was born on 21 August 1878 and joined the Bihar and Orissa Police on 5 December 1899 as Probationary Assistant Superintendent. He was appointed Superintendent on 1 April 1906 and Deputy Inspector-General in February 1923. He retired from the service in April 1926. Sold with original note addressed to the recipient regarding K.P.M. gallantry ribbon and copied research.