British Empire Medal (Civil) GVI (EDWARD CHANDLER GRAVESTOCK) - on original ribbon and brooch in Royal Mint case of issue.
Edward Chandler Gravestock was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire on 1 April 1891. He served as Commandant of the Northants Special Constabulary and was a well-known Boot & Shoe Manufacturer.
According to the 1939 Register he was living at 78 Headlands in Kettering and was with the Northants Special Constabulary. He was awarded the British Empire Medal as Commandant in the Northamptonshire Special Constabulary, in the London Gazette of 5 June 1952 - the first Honours list of The Queen. He died from a heart attack while addressing a public meeting on 18 November 1953.
The Northampton Mercury carried the following article on 20 November:
"Mr Edward Chandler Gravestock, 62 years old deputy grand master of Northamptonshire Freemasons, had a heart attack while speaking at a meeting in Brackley Town Hall on Wednesday evening and died shortly afterwards. He had been speaking to Freemasons for five minutes when he collapsed.
.....Mr Gravestock, managing director of E.C Gravestock Ltd., a boot manufacturing firm with factories at Kettering and Raunds, had been a Freemason for about 35 years and was appointed deputy provincial grand master in 1950. The Special Constabulary was another of his interests. For nearly 40 years he was a member of the force, retiring this year as the Kettering Commandant. His services on the special constabulary were officially recognised last year when he was awarded the British Empire Medal. He already held the long service medal with four bars."
E in Edward double struck otherwise NEF. Sold with some research.
