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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 377

(x) An extremely rare Edward VII gallantry K.P.M. awarded to Senior Constable J. C. Gates, New South Wales Police Force, the first Australian police officer to be so honoured and one of just four to receive the Edwardian issue

In his gallant pursuit of an armed burglar in North Sydney in April 1909, he exchanged fire until the latter ran out of ammunition, following which he closed with him to make an arrest: in the ensuing struggle, Gates was severely beaten about the head with the burglar's empty revolver, his wounds requiring 23 stitches

King's Police Medal, E.VII.R., on gallantry riband (J. C. Gates, Sen. Const., N.S. Wales P.), minor edge bruises, good very fine

K.P.M. London Gazette 14 January 1910.

James Charles Gates was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on 28 February 1885, the son of a distiller. Opting for a new life in Australia when a teenager, he was working as a blacksmith when he enlisted in the New South Wales Police as a Constable.

By the time of his K.P.M.-winning exploits in North Sydney, Gates had been advanced to Constable 1st Class but, as reported in various newspapers, he was about to receive accelerated promotion to Senior Constable.

The incident in question commenced in Carabella Street, on the heights overlooking Neutral Bay, when an armed burglar broke into the house of Mr. Russell Sinclair in the early morning hours of 1 April 1909. Alerted by a lodger to the burglar's presence, Sinclair gave chase and a violent struggle ensued, in which he was twice shot in the groin. The burglar then made off down the street. Here, then, the moment at which Gates arrived on the scene. A newspaper report takes up the story:

'It was after his escape into the streets that the fugitive waged another fight, this time with the constable who arrested him. When Constables McDonald and J. C. Gates, having been informed of that had occurred, proceeded to the locality, Gates saw a man near Milson's Point ferry. He watched the man, and at last he accosted him near Jeffrey Street. The man, who kept his right hand in his pocket, replied that he was on his way to visit someone in Carabella Street. The constable asked him why he kept his hand in his pocket, whereupon the man drew a revolver, fired, and then bolted. The shot missed Gates, who started off after the man, who, while he ran, turned and fired again twice, but still without effect. Constable Gates then fired, and an exchange of shots was kept up. The policeman was not hit but it was afterwards shown that one of his bullets grazed the fugitive's neck, causing a slight flesh wound. Gates, still in pursuit, reached his quarry near Livingstone Lane, and a hand-to-hand fight ensued.

The man hit Gates a blow with the butt end of his revolver, and partially stunned him, but the Constable never allowed his prisoner to elude him, and was all the time endeavouring to hand cuff him. The Constable was furiously attacked, blow after blow being delivered about his head with the butt end of the revolver, and at length the man actually got free, but Gates, gallantly refusing to be beaten off, followed him and was joined by a civilian who had been alarmed by the noise of the conflict. Finding the chase hot, the fugitive dashed down some steps into an area in Fitzroy Street, and here he was finally captured, the Constable getting the hand cuffs on him.'

The gallant Gates was duly awarded the K.P.M. as well as being advanced to Senior Constable. He was also presented with a Testimonial by the Mayor of North Sydney. His assailant - James Frederick Crook - was sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to life.

Gates died at Ghatswood in the northern district of Sydney in July 1955; sold with copied service record and newspaper reports.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800