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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 203

Sold by Order of the Estate

The outstanding Shanghai Municipal Police D.C.M. awarded to Chief Inspector B. B. Boddy, Shanghai Municipal Police, granted his immediate award for the gallant apprehension of an armed robber who was holding up an exchange shop; he tackled the man despite being unarmed and was shot through the liver in the process - but made good his arrest

Boddy would be a captive during the Japanese invasion of Shanghai during the Second World War and was held at the infamous Haiphong Road Civilian Internment Camp

Shanghai Municipal Police, Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1st Class (P.S. No. 112 B. B. Boddy. October 30, 1924.), very fine, together with three of his Shanghai Municipal Police Sports awards, for 1935, 1936 & 1940 (Lot)

Bernard Bryan Boddy was born on 3 August 1900 at the Railway Hotel, Godalming, Surrey and was educated at Godalming Grammar and St Mary's London County Council School at Lewisham. Going on to Hilly Fields Secondary School, Brockley, he had intended to join the Metropolitan Police but was refused entry due to being too short. Thus, he went off to China and joined the Shanghai Municipal Police in February 1923. Promoted Sergeant in September 1924, he was not to hold that rank for long before he was in the thick of action in winning his Shanghai D.C.M., details of which were widely quoted in the North China Herald:

''The bravery of Sergt. B.B. Boddy, of the S.M.C. in tackling an armed robber when he was himself unarmed and still pursuing him though wounded, was rewarded by the Municipal Council on Tuesday afternoon, when Mr. Stirling Fessenden (Chairman of the Council) presented him with the Council's Distinguished Conduct Medal (Silver).

It will be remembered that Sergt. Boddy, on October 30th, pursued the robber after a hold-up at an exchange shop at No. 216, Avenue V11. He grappled with the man, unarmed though he was, and received a shot which pierced stomach and liver. He refused to let go of his quarry, however, and hung on to him till reinforcements arrived, when the capture was completed. The officer has been in the General Hospital ever since, but is now well on the road to recovery. The presentation took place in the hospital. Among those present at the ceremony were Major A. Hilton Johnson, Acting Commissioner of Police; Capt. E.I.M. Barrett, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sikhs, Capt. R.M. Martin, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chinese); Mr. W.W. Beatty, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sikhs,; and an inspector and sergeant from each of the separate stations. Before the presentation was made Major Hilton Johnson described the wounded man's deed to the gathering in glorious terms. He pointed out
that though wounded he ran for over 300 yards and then captured his man. Mr. Fessenden spoke in high terms of the sergeant's courage, and expressed the deep regret of the Council that he should have sustained such severe injuries. He action was such as to enhance the prestige of the Council. It gave pleasure to present the medal to Sergt. Boddy and to wish him a long and successful career in the Municipal Police Force. The medal was pinned on the sergeant's tunic and the ceremony closed with a handshake and expression of good wishes from all the police officials present. In addition to the medal the sergeant received a year's seniority and cheque for Tls. 250.'

Recovered from his grave wounds, he was advanced Sub-Inspector in May 1929 and Inspector in August 1934. Boddy served with C.I.D. from November 1931-November 1940, in which period he would have also have been called out for the 1937 Emergency. He wasChief Inspector from November 1940 and Officer-in-Charge at Hongkew Station that year and at Central Station in 1941. Divisional Detective Officer for 'A' Division in 1942, he was held captive as a Civilian Internee at Haiphong Road with the Japanese invasion. His wife and children were variously held at other camps and suffered the privations well-known to those unfortunate enough to be held as 'Guests of the Emperor' during the last war.

Finally given his freedom, Boddy was sent up to Burma in order to investigate the ghastly War Crimes committed in that theatre and left the Police Force in 1948. He had 1 Special Commendation, 7 High Commendations & 3 General Commendations to his name, besides his Shanghai Police D.C.M., 1937 Emergency Star & Long Service Medals - these last two understood to have been lost whilst held captive. These would not have been re-issued post-1945. Boddy found work for the British Government in Security for the Civil Service and died on 12 August 1961.

Sold together with a fine and extensive original archive including three police whistles, his pocket watch, vesta case, Passport for 1925 (including his image and that of his family), bank account book, various relevant newspaper cuttings related to his award, a large-format photograph of the various sections of the S.M.P., two personal photograph albums, New Testament with YMCA stamps from the Second World War and other related items.

For his miniature dress Medal, please see Lot 333.

For his cap Badge, please see Lot 305.

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Estimate
£3,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£2600