A Collection of Medals to the Indian Police

An O.B.E. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hengrave Kitson, Royal Army Service Corps, late Robert’s Horse and South African Constabulary

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt., Roberts Horse) with small M.I.D. emblem on ribbon; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt., S.A.C.); British War Medal 1914-20, (Lt. Col.) with two small M.I.D. emblems on ribbon; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed; with cap badge, some contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £550-650

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

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O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. ‘Kitson, Maj. (A./Lt. Col.) Paul Hengrave, R.A.S.C.’

Paul Hengrave Kitson was born in Richmond on 18 January 1869, son of Major G. P. Kitson, of Elm Lee, Winkfield. Educated L.I.C. Merton College. Served in the Cape Mounted Rifles, 1893-96, serving in Matabeleland, 1893. Was Chief Constable of Knysna, 1896-96 and of Montagu, 1897-1900. During the Boer he served in the South Africa Light Horse, Robert’s Horse and Provincial Mounted Police, being gazetted a Captain in 1900. Was twice mentioned in despatches. Joined the South African Constabulary as a Captain in 1902. Prior to the Great War he served in the Indian Police. With the start of the Great War he was appointed a Temporary Captain in the Army Service Corps in September 1914 (London Gazette 6 October 1914). Promoted Major in 1915, served as Acting Lieutenant-Colonel and was promoted to that rank in 1920. Was involved in the aftermath of the Silvertown Munitions Factory Explosion, in West Ham, Essex, on 19 January 1917 - his services there earning him his O.B.E. Was twice mentioned in despatches. Commanded Grove Park Depot, R.A.S.C., 1918-20. Kitson died in Stellenbosch Hospital, South Africa, 13 March 1952.

With extensive copied research in file relating to Kitson’s service in South Africa; together with two C.D’s.