A member of the British South Africa Police Association, the organisation that Booth originally enlisted into in 1912, recollects a Victoria Cross group being displayed in the Regimental Institute of the British South Africa Police in Salisbury. There's a high possibility that this medal group could have been Frederick Booth's.

In 1984 the subject of a Medal Sale of December 1982 was discussed in South Africa, especially how a huge amount of various medals from the former Southern Rhodesia, and Rhodesia, had come onto the market. This included a very substantial number of the British South African Police Company medal in its various forms. It was quite common knowledge within medal collecting circles that this huge number of various medals of Rhodesian origin had been acquired in the very early days of Zimbabwean independence by a man who was a former BSAP Field Reservist.

The man concerned had claimed that he had obtained Booth's Victoria Cross medal group ( along with many other such groups for gallantry ) from a government establishment during the state of confusion in late January 1980. He had further claimed that he had sent all the valuable medals, such as Booth's, to the United Kingdom where they were held in secure circumstances.

Frederick Booth, BSAP, was commended in the Police Orders of Colonel Edwards CB, of 2nd November 1914 - "The Commissioner has much pleasure in commending No.1630 Trooper F.C. Booth for having at considerable personal risk dived into the Zambesi at Kakugril on the 16th September 1914 and saved the life of a troop horse that had broken loose and swam into some thick reeds on the steep river bank where it was unable either to get a footing or extract itself."

Sergeant Booth was attached to the Rhodesia Native Regiment on its formation in 1916 and proceeded with it to East Africa, where on the 12th February 1917 he earned his Victoria Cross. Although the citation does appear to be a little short on the description of Booth's actions.

[ London Gazette, 8 June 1917 ], Johannesbruck, Near Songea, German East Africa, 12 February 1917, Sergeant Frederick Charles Booth, British South Africa Police, att'd Rhodesia Native Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery during an attack in thick bush on the enemy position. Under very heavy rifle fire, Sergeant Booth went forward alone and brought in a man who was dangerously wounded. Later he rallied native troops who were badly disorganised and brought them to the firing line.

This NCO has on many previous occasions displayed the greatest bravery, coolness and resource in action, and has set a splendid example of pluck, endurance and determination.

Sergeant Frederick Booth was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 16th January 1918.

Booth was with Colonel Tomlinson's force when it was surrounded by Germans near St. Moritz Mission on 23rd March 1917. Colonel Tomlinson went to Booth and asked him to proceed through the enemy lines to seek assistance from Colonel Murray's force. At that moment a shell fell close to them, covering them in dust, fortunately failing to explode. At 19:30 Booth left with an askari, making a wide detour to avoid the enemy between them and Itaki. The following day at 17:00 lamp signals from a hill informed the colonel that Booth had succeeded in his mission. Thanks largely to Booth's courage and knowledge of the country, he was able to bring relief to the beseiged force on the 27th March 1917.

Booth was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal ( DCM ) for his conspicuous gallantry on 15th May 1917 also in East Africa, but shortly afterwards was wounded and was invalided out. In October 1917 he was recommended for a permanent commission in the regular army and left in November for Britain. On 13th February 1918 he was discharged from the Rhodesia Native Regiment on appointment to a permanent commission in the Middlesex Regiment with the rank of captain. Booth later transferred to the Reserve of Officers, remaining thus until he reached the age of liability to recall on 16th April 1939.

Frederick Booth died on the 14th September 1960, aged 70, at the Red Cross Convalescent Hospital for Officers, Percival Terrace, Brighton, East Sussex. He's buried in the Bear Road Cemetery ( Red Cross Section ).

Medal entitlement of Captain Frederick Booth - British South Africa Police, att'd Rhodesia Native Regiment

• Victoria Cross
• Distinguished Conduct Medal ( DCM )
• 1914 - 15 Star
• British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
• Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
• King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )