SECOND WORLD WAR M.C. AND POST WAR Q.P.M. GROUP OF ELEVEN TO...
SECOND WORLD WAR M.C. AND POST WAR Q.P.M. GROUP OF ELEVEN TO CHIEF CONSTABLE A.HAMBLETON, DORSET CONSTABULARY, LATE ROYAL MARINES,
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.VI.R., dated 1946; The Order of St.John of Jerusalem, Knight's breast Badge, silver and enamel; Queen's Police Medal, E.II.R. (Arthur Hambleton MC, LH CON.ST. Dorset Constab); 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1977; Police Long Service and Good Conduct, E.II.R. (Arthur Hambleton ASST.CH.CONST.); Service Medal of the Order of St.John, court mounted as worn with miniatures.
C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1977
M.C. London Gazette 12 February 1946.
In March 1945, when it was in action on the HEUSDEN sector, Captain HAMBLETON took over command of 'B' Coy27 RM.
The Coy had suffered severe casualties and its morale was low. Within a short space of time by his infectious enthusiasm, his personal disregard of danger and inspiring leadership, 'B' Coy became one of the best fighting coys in the battalion.
On night 23/24 March, near HEUSDEN, Captain HAMBLETON personally led his small coy reserve under heavy and sustained fire from spandaus, against a fighting patrol of the enemy which had penetrated our forward posts. By this immediate action the enemy patrol was engaged, put to flight, and casualties inflicted.
When on the flank of the KUSTEN CANAL Bridgehead on 28 April 1945, he again personally led a fighting patrol, in daylight, across the canal. The patrol came under heavy fire in crossing and was engaged on landing by superior numbers. During the close fighting that ensued, Captain HAMBLETON was severely wounded in the head but refused to be evacuated. Although in great pain, he showed complete disregard of danger. It was entirely due to his gallant and determined leadership that the objective was reached, casualties inflicted on the enemy and vital information gained. By his inspiring example and leadership he undoubtedly turned what might have been a failure, due to the surprisingly heavy enemy fire, into a success.
By his abundant enthusiasm, remarkable leadership and strong sense of duty, he has at all times been an inspiration to his men and to all who have come in contact with him.
Order of St. John London Gazette 5 December 1978.
Q.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1966.
M.I.D. London Gazette 4 September 1945.
Arthur Hambleton was born in Leeds on 29 October 1915. He was one of 12 children. He left school at 16, and worked, at his father's behest, at a butcher's shop. He did so for six years before, in 1937, he joined West Riding Police, the police force which at the time covered the West Riding of Yorkshire. He served with the force until he resigned in 1942 to join the Royal Marines. He was considered officer material and was commisioned Second Lieutenant in 1943, and was mentioned in despatches in 1945, and was promoted to Captain.
In March 1945 he fought in a battle to take the Kusten Canal, and was severely wounded in the head. Hambleton refused to be evacuated, and was awarded the Military Cross as a result of his action.
After rejoining the police in 1945, he worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming assistant chief constable in Cardiff. He joined Dorset Police in 1962, and was awarded a Q.P.M. in 1966 and worked his way up to Chief Constable of that force, he received an O.B.E. in 1971 and a C.B.E. in 1977. He was additionally appointed as a Knight of the Order of St.John of Jerusalem in 1978.
Hambleton was particularly notable for heading up one of the first major corruption investigations into the Metropolitan Police, Operation Countryman. He was given the task of investigating the elite Flying Squad over allegations of criminal bribes, fabricated evidence, and armed robbery collusion. He led a relentless 22 month provincial squad into Scotland Yard. On the eve of his 1980 retirement he sparked a national media storm by breaking rank on television to announce that his investigation was being heavily obstructed by top-tier Metropolitan police officers and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He retired in February 1980 and was the longest serving chief constable in the U.K. Hambleton died on 10 October 2012 and is buried at St.Laurence Churchyard, Upwey.
SECOND WORLD WAR M.C. AND POST WAR Q.P.M. GROUP OF ELEVEN TO CHIEF CONSTABLE A.HAMBLETON, DORSET CONSTABULARY, LATE ROYAL MARINES,
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.VI.R., dated 1946; The Order of St.John of Jerusalem, Knight's breast Badge, silver and enamel; Queen's Police Medal, E.II.R. (Arthur Hambleton MC, LH CON.ST. Dorset Constab); 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1977; Police Long Service and Good Conduct, E.II.R. (Arthur Hambleton ASST.CH.CONST.); Service Medal of the Order of St.John, court mounted as worn with miniatures.
C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1977
M.C. London Gazette 12 February 1946.
In March 1945, when it was in action on the HEUSDEN sector, Captain HAMBLETON took over command of 'B' Coy27 RM.
The Coy had suffered severe casualties and its morale was low. Within a short space of time by his infectious enthusiasm, his personal disregard of danger and inspiring leadership, 'B' Coy became one of the best fighting coys in the battalion.
On night 23/24 March, near HEUSDEN, Captain HAMBLETON personally led his small coy reserve under heavy and sustained fire from spandaus, against a fighting patrol of the enemy which had penetrated our forward posts. By this immediate action the enemy patrol was engaged, put to flight, and casualties inflicted.
When on the flank of the KUSTEN CANAL Bridgehead on 28 April 1945, he again personally led a fighting patrol, in daylight, across the canal. The patrol came under heavy fire in crossing and was engaged on landing by superior numbers. During the close fighting that ensued, Captain HAMBLETON was severely wounded in the head but refused to be evacuated. Although in great pain, he showed complete disregard of danger. It was entirely due to his gallant and determined leadership that the objective was reached, casualties inflicted on the enemy and vital information gained. By his inspiring example and leadership he undoubtedly turned what might have been a failure, due to the surprisingly heavy enemy fire, into a success.
By his abundant enthusiasm, remarkable leadership and strong sense of duty, he has at all times been an inspiration to his men and to all who have come in contact with him.
Order of St. John London Gazette 5 December 1978.
Q.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1966.
M.I.D. London Gazette 4 September 1945.
Arthur Hambleton was born in Leeds on 29 October 1915. He was one of 12 children. He left school at 16, and worked, at his father's behest, at a butcher's shop. He did so for six years before, in 1937, he joined West Riding Police, the police force which at the time covered the West Riding of Yorkshire. He served with the force until he resigned in 1942 to join the Royal Marines. He was considered officer material and was commisioned Second Lieutenant in 1943, and was mentioned in despatches in 1945, and was promoted to Captain.
In March 1945 he fought in a battle to take the Kusten Canal, and was severely wounded in the head. Hambleton refused to be evacuated, and was awarded the Military Cross as a result of his action.
After rejoining the police in 1945, he worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming assistant chief constable in Cardiff. He joined Dorset Police in 1962, and was awarded a Q.P.M. in 1966 and worked his way up to Chief Constable of that force, he received an O.B.E. in 1971 and a C.B.E. in 1977. He was additionally appointed as a Knight of the Order of St.John of Jerusalem in 1978.
Hambleton was particularly notable for heading up one of the first major corruption investigations into the Metropolitan Police, Operation Countryman. He was given the task of investigating the elite Flying Squad over allegations of criminal bribes, fabricated evidence, and armed robbery collusion. He led a relentless 22 month provincial squad into Scotland Yard. On the eve of his 1980 retirement he sparked a national media storm by breaking rank on television to announce that his investigation was being heavily obstructed by top-tier Metropolitan police officers and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He retired in February 1980 and was the longest serving chief constable in the U.K. Hambleton died on 10 October 2012 and is buried at St.Laurence Churchyard, Upwey.
