Tony Cocks, who served in the Plymouth City Police and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, has recently donated his friend’s British Empire Medal for Gallantry and Police Long Service Medal, which belonged to Police Constable Mike Broome, who died in November 2020.
Mike Broome was awarded this honour with the late Sergeant Ernest Jones. They saved the life of a boy who had become trapped in deep mud at Camels Head Creek in Plymouth, with the incoming tide threatening to drown the boy and the two officers.
We are incredibly grateful for this donation. By preserving Mike Broome’s medals in the Museum, we will ensure that his bravery and service are not forgotten.
Traditionally the British Empire Medal is awarded for acts of gallantry – the medal shown here belonging to Mike Broome displays a silver oak leaf emblem on the ribbon.
This silver oak leaf emblem is significant – it was a new feature introduced from 1957, with the purpose of showing the medal had been awarded for gallantry and not for service.
The circular medal measures around 1.42 inches and bears the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The reverse design shows Britannia; on her right is the sun.
The medal is engraved FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE. Below is inscribed FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.
Read more about the British Empire Medal here.
