The rare and interesting Second World War Danish Consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne Danish King Christian X’s Liberty Medal 1939-1945 and Police Special Constable’a long service group awarded to Captain F.J.P. Madsen, the wartime Danish Constable at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Madsen, who originally came from Odense in Denmark, on marrying his wife Alice Frazer, settled in Newcastle, where he saw service as a Police Special Constable and continued in this role during the Second World War. For his services as Danish Consul, in a period when the Danish Consulate provided refuge and help to Danish sailors in particular those who were unable to return home after Denmark was occupied by Germany, he was appointed a Member of the Civil Division of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in January 1943, and also awarded by the King of Denmark with the Order of the Dannebrog, and also the King Christian X’s Liberty Medal 1939-1945. His miniature medals that accompany the three remaining full size awards, are most probably a unique combination of awards.
Group of 3: Defence Medal 1939-1945; Police Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, GVR Coinage bust; (FREDERICK MADSEN.); Denmark – King Christian X’s Liberty Medal 1939-1945, silver, with original issue length of ribbon and housed in its card box of issue by A. Michelsen of Copenhagen.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine.
Together with the recipient’s full group of miniature medals, these mounted continental style as worn, and representing what is likely to be a unique combination of awards: Denmark - Order of the Dannebrog, Frederick IX issue (1947-1972), gold and enamels; Denmark – King Christian X’s Liberty Medal 1939-1945; Great Britain: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Member, M.B.E., 2nd type, Civil Division; Great Britain: Defence Medal 1939-1945; Great Britain: Police Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, GVR Coinage bust.
Also the recipient’s tunic medal ribbon bar - two rows, comprising all of his awards.
Frederik Johan Peter Madsen came from Odense in Denmark, and was a merchant seaman who captained sailing tea clippers, but on meeting his wife, Alice Frazer in Newcastle-on-Tyne, then settled there, and joined the local Police Special Constabulary amongst other things.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, he continued in his duties as a local police special constable, but also found himself appointed to be the Danish Consul in Newcastle-on-Tyne for the duration of the war. The Danish Consulate provided refuge and help to Danish sailors in particular those who were unable to return home after Denmark was occupied by Germany.
For his wartime services, Madsen was appointed a Member of the Civil Division of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services as Danish Consul in Newcastle, this award being published in the New Years Honours List as published in the London Gazette for 4 January 1943, and he was also decorated by Great Britain with the Defence Medal 1939-1945, to add to the Police Special Constabulary Long Service Medal he had received back in the 1930’s. He was also honoured by the Kingdom of Denmark, being awarded the Order of the Dannebrog, and also the King Christian X’s Liberty Medal 1939-1945. This latter medal was a commemorative decoration awarded by King Christian X for special services to Denmark during World War II. The eligibility was for foreigners and Danes living abroad. Approximately 3,000 medals were awarded.
