An impressive Civil M.B.E. group of six to Chief Superintendent Eric Frith, Metropolitan Police who commenced his service in 1920 as a “C” Division Police Constable at Vine Street Station, having pervisoulsy served with the Grenadier Guards, and rose to become Chief of “Y” Division at Wood Green, and latterly became Chief Security Officer with the Shell organisation. Appointed Serving Brother of The Order of St John in 1939 for organising First aid in the Metropolitan Police, he is noted as having visited every V1 and V2 crash site in his Division during the Flying Bomb Blitz of WW2. A life long Spurs supporter, he controlled Police arrangements at White Hart Lane when head of “Y” Division for which he was awarded the M.B.E. in 1955.
Six: Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, Civil, 2nd type, Member; The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother, silver and enamels; WW2 Defence Medal; 1937 Coronation Medal; 1953 Coronation Medal; Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.Vi.R. (CH. SUPT. ERIC FRITH), the first in its Royal Mint presentation case, the remainder mounted as worn
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Sold together with an impressive selection of related material including:
- A companion set of miniatures
- Bruce Castle Lodge, No. 6799, silver gilt and enamels W.M. 1957-58 masonic jewel, the reverse engrave ‘Presented to W. Bro. Eric Frith, M.B.E. - In appreciation of his services a W.M. 1957-58’
- Society of Miniature Rifle Club h.m. silver prize medal, the reverse engraved ‘Pistol League 1942-3 4th Div Chf Insr Frith.’
- Silver and enamel Metropolitan Police officer’s cap badge with Firmin London makers details to the reverse.
- Metropolitan Police Athletics Association prize medal in silver, gold and enamels, the reverse engraved ‘M.P.A.A. Billiards Handicap 1939-40 Semi-Finalist Ch. Insp. E. Frith.’
- Metropolitan Police Athletics Association prize medal in silver, gold and enamels, the reverse engraved ‘M.P.A.A. Billiards League 1939-40 Runners Up Ch. Insp. E. Frith.’
- Ink sketch cartoon of the recipient by Clive, circa 1945.
- Portrait photograph of the recipient standing at the gates of Buckingham Palace in the day of the investiture of the M.B.E.
- Large named group photograph of the Senior Officers off the Metropolitan Police dated 1949.
- Large named group photograph of Senior Police Officers and headquarters Staff of the Metropoitan Police, dated 1945
Eric Smith was was born on 12 September 1900 at 29 Wesley Street, Annesley Woodhouse, Kirby-in-Asherfield, Nottinghamshire. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1918 but did not see overseas service, then in 1920 he joined the Metropolitan Police.
His first posting was to “C” Division at Vine Street where he served as a Police Constable and then in 1925 he received his first Scotland Yard appointment. Frith was to Lavender Hill in 1932 on promotion to Inspector. Two years later he was back at Scotland Yard working in the organisation department and just before 1939 was tasked to work on the preparation of the Police Force for war
He was admitted to the Order of St. John in 1939.
Appointed Serving Brother of The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem London Gazette 23 June 1939. Eric Frith.
Frith had been promoted Chief Inspector in 1937 and was transferred to “A” Division, but during the war was again brought back to Scotland Yard to take charge of “Y” Division at Wood Green on promotion to the rank of Superintendent in 1944.
During his early days at Wood Green the flying-bomb attack began, and Superintendent Frith personally attended every incident of this type during the campaign. The Division Covers Wood Green, Southgate, Tottenham, Edmonton and Hornsey, and in this area, between 16 June 1944 and 27 March 1945 there were 109 flying-bombs landed.These caused 280 deaths and serious injury to 1287 people.
Frith’s favourite hobby was golf and he was an extremely good player. In his office at Wood Green was a cabinet that was full of trophies that he had won at that game.
However, it was for his passion for Tottenham Hotspur football club that Frith is best remembered. During his post-war years at “Y” Division he oversaw the control of the White Hart Lane crowds on match days.
Mr C. William Skinner, chairman of the Edmonton Petty Sessional Division said of Frith’s work on his retirement speech:
“I do not how for his enthusiasm at White Hart Lane may have inspired Spurs to victory, but I do say that the public, and particularly the boroughs near the Spurs ground and London Transport all owe a real debt to him for his control of the crowds and also not the traffic in very difficult conditions.”
“I think the control of the White Hart Lane crowds on Saturdays is taken as an example in the other parts of the country.”
“His versatility is an essential quality of his leadership. He has dignity allied with an ability and desire to mix with others. I can speak from personal experience of the practical help he has given on many occasions to others.”
“Many who have been under him can thank him for what he has done when they have entered other walks of life.”
Frith, having been promoted to Chief Superintendent, was awarded the M.B.E. in 1955
Appointed Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire London Gazette 1 Jan 1955. Chief Superintendent Eric Frith, Metropolitan Police Force.
Following his retirement from the Metropolitan Police he worked as Chief Security Officer with the Shell organisation.
Frith was a brother of the Bruce Castle Lodge of Freemasons and at the time of his death in December 1965, was Chaplain of the Lodge.
