Baldwin & Sons
Auction 75 26 September 2012
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MILITARY MEDALS. Gallantry Groups. A WWII & Queen's Commendation Police Group of 4 awarded to Constable Peter Halliwell, Blackburn Police Force, late Royal Air Force, who awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct shown during the 'Brewery Street Siege' in Blackburn, 1958, 1939-1945 Star, Burma Star, Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct spray of silver laurel leaves and box of issue; medals unnamed as issued, medals loose, sold with relevant miniatures with reverse pin for wear. Extremely fine. (9)
Queen's Commendation, London Gazette 14.08.1959
Peter Halliwell was one of three police officers initially called to the scene of a tense hostage situation at No.8 Brewery Street, Blackburn, on the night of 12 December 1958. Mr King, an estranged husband, had forced entry into the home of his wife's parents, armed with a Browning five-shot shotgun, holding this wife & children hostage within the house. Mr King asked his wife Sheila: "Do you love me? Will you kiss me? Because you have got to die tonight!" Mrs King had attempted to make noise and call for help unsuccessfully, but her next door neighbour Ms Cowell succeeded in taking a short taxi ride to the police station, returning with police officers Cavill, Riley and Halliwell.
Entering the house to confront Mr King, DC Cavill ran straight into the room demanding the gun, to which Mr King returned a shot, leaving DC Cavill severely wounded, and immediately shot his wife in the back. King demanded them all to leave, and DCs Riley and Halliwell extricated DC Cavill from the scene for treatment. Another three police officers soon arrived in support, one of whom, Inspector O'Donnell, attempted to negotiate with the gunman but received a shotgun wound to the chest, but threw a chair at the gunman and escaped through a window.
In response to the severity of the situation and mounting casualties, the decision was made for armed police to make their move, and also to fire tear gas into the building, followed by police dogs. In the ensuing chaos, a shot was heard fired inside the building, as Mr King shot and wounded himself. Taken to hospital, he recovered to stand trial accused of the murder of his wife and also Inspector O'Donnell, who died from his wounds. He was eventually convicted only of manslaughter on both counts, due to a successful defence case made on the grounds of mental instability.
Police Constable Halliwell received his Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Silver laurel leaves from Lord Derby at Knowsley Hall 21 October 1959. Sold with original awards with box of issue, numerous attractive portrait pictures, newspaper clippings and correspondence.
Estimate: £350-400
Queen's Commendation, London Gazette 14.08.1959
Peter Halliwell was one of three police officers initially called to the scene of a tense hostage situation at No.8 Brewery Street, Blackburn, on the night of 12 December 1958. Mr King, an estranged husband, had forced entry into the home of his wife's parents, armed with a Browning five-shot shotgun, holding this wife & children hostage within the house. Mr King asked his wife Sheila: "Do you love me? Will you kiss me? Because you have got to die tonight!" Mrs King had attempted to make noise and call for help unsuccessfully, but her next door neighbour Ms Cowell succeeded in taking a short taxi ride to the police station, returning with police officers Cavill, Riley and Halliwell.
Entering the house to confront Mr King, DC Cavill ran straight into the room demanding the gun, to which Mr King returned a shot, leaving DC Cavill severely wounded, and immediately shot his wife in the back. King demanded them all to leave, and DCs Riley and Halliwell extricated DC Cavill from the scene for treatment. Another three police officers soon arrived in support, one of whom, Inspector O'Donnell, attempted to negotiate with the gunman but received a shotgun wound to the chest, but threw a chair at the gunman and escaped through a window.
In response to the severity of the situation and mounting casualties, the decision was made for armed police to make their move, and also to fire tear gas into the building, followed by police dogs. In the ensuing chaos, a shot was heard fired inside the building, as Mr King shot and wounded himself. Taken to hospital, he recovered to stand trial accused of the murder of his wife and also Inspector O'Donnell, who died from his wounds. He was eventually convicted only of manslaughter on both counts, due to a successful defence case made on the grounds of mental instability.
Police Constable Halliwell received his Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Silver laurel leaves from Lord Derby at Knowsley Hall 21 October 1959. Sold with original awards with box of issue, numerous attractive portrait pictures, newspaper clippings and correspondence.
Estimate: £350-400