Lot 5162

Description

Army Meritorious Service Medal, (GVR type 1 with swivelling suspender). 309 Detect. Sjt W.H.Pearce. A.I.F. Impressed. Lovely toning, nearly uncirculated and rare to a detective.

One of only two MSM awards to a Detective for WWI.

MSM: LG 3/6/1919, p7022; CAG 6/10/1919, p1464.

Citation: His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to No 309 Detective Sergeant W.H.Pearce attached Australian Provost Corps in recognition of valuable service rendered in connection with the War.

In a letter from the Premier's office dated 20 March 1916, to the Acting Prime Minister of Australia, it stated that Detective Wellington Harry Pearce of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Sydney had been selected to proceed to Egypt by the mail steamer 'Malwa' for special duty there. It further stated that Detective Pearce was a native of NSW and had seen active service in South Africa (Boer War). He was 33 years of age, healthy, active, a single man, intelligent, a good penman, steady in his habits, strictly sober, of good address, and naturally tactful and also had a good knowledge of NSW criminals.

Detective Sergeant Pearce, who had been hand picked by the NSW Commissioner of Police, was attached to the ANZAC Provost Corps from 1916 to 1918 and was one of six detectives, one from each State, sent to Egypt to vet the new Corps members. This was arranged in secret, Prime Minister to Premier level. These detectives proved to be so effective that Detectives Brennan from Victoria and Pearce from NSW were retained by the Corps and sent to London. They once again did such a good job that they were both awarded an MSM for valued war service and the Provost Corps also recommended them for the King's Police Medal as they both worked on major crimes and proved to be invaluable however, this award never eventuated.

Their rank allowed them access to Army installations and was needed for travel, accommodation and rations and they were subject to all Army disciplinary rules and regulations but neither detective received war service medals and they were not entitled to returned servicemen benefits.

With research including photocopy of several pages featuring Detective W.H.Pearce from Beyond The Myth, Australian Military Police 1914-1920.