Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Going through an old photo album the other day, I found these two pictures from my Metropolitan Police days. This was taken at Hendon Training School and as I was a Probationer Constable, I am not wearing a whistle. We had an enormous fall of snow and all took turns having our photos taken. December 1967 - I was 30 !! After Leigh's comments about changes in uniform - this is what a policeman used to look like.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 A little 'faded' with age - like me - this was taken on the day of the 1969 Trooping of the Colour. All my friends decided we wanted a photo in our number one uniform and met in a local park , before going on the police coach to Horseguards. This uniform is virtually the same as amended in the 1870's and was made of wonderful Melton Cloth , with buttons all down the bottom of the back of the tunic. Note we had no epaulettes and our numbers were on either side of the collar. A year, or two, later they withdrew them and sold them off to Elstree Film Studios for ?3.50 each ($5) each !Only 5000 men in the inner divisions wore them - and we always wore white gloves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Symmonds Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 " - this is what a policeman used to look like.... "...very intimidating Mervyn Fantastic photos Mervyn. Post some more. One thing though, if you could educate the ignorant, what is the "Trooping of the Colour" ? best regardsThomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) " - this is what a policeman used to look like.... "...very intimidating Mervyn Fantastic photos Mervyn. Post some more. One thing though, if you could educate the ignorant, what is the "Trooping of the Colour" ? best regardsThomasThomas,The "Trooping of the Colour" is a very old British military ceremony that since 1748 has been used as the official celebration of the monarch's birthday. It's held on the second Saturday in June.Here's a short clip from the 2008 Trooping...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnPAj92Wcwk...feature=related Edited June 26, 2009 by Mike Dwyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Thomas - so pleased I can 'intimidate' someone ! The 'Trooping of the Colour' is one of the highest ceremonial days in Great Britain - I suppose it ranks with the Cenotaph commemorative. The Saturday nearest to June 12 th. is always used for TtC - that being the date for H.M. The Queen's 'official' birthday. The real date is a family affair. The Guards Regiment scheduled for that year - Troops it's Colours in front of The Queen. It will be augmented by 6 or 7 Companies from other Guards Regiments and used to be of 8 Company strength- thinking about it, I believe this has been reduced to 6. The combined bands of all the Guards Regiments are present and , in addition the Life Guards and The Blues and Royals parade with their bands. Finally, in recent years - King's Troop of Royal Horse Artillery also parade their guns. My old Division (H) used to be in front of the Guards Memorial and as we faced front in those days , had the best view of all. It was about the only thing I volunteered for. See if you can buy a DVD - it is a wonderful event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Mervyn,My apologies for hijacking your thread, but while looking at the various videos of the Trooping of the Colour, I found this one segment that shows the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery from the 2008 ceremony. You had another thread some time ago where someone asked if the RHA was still around. It's about 2 minutes into the film that they appear.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDMnBjoWpi0...feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Donkey Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Also with Trooping the ColourThere are 12 to 14 places in UK that fire a 21 Gun Salute for HRH birthday at 12 noonWe are one of those fired at Castle Cornet Have photos but unable to attach themKeith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Mike - you did no such thing - we all post in the hope that someone will find it of interest - and not say to themselves 'it's him again' !!!I have several tapes of old Troopings, but today, most people don't have the machine to play them - all DVD's. I was actually quite 'shocked' that Thomas had never seen the ceremony - however, he is young (ish !) and they don't show things like this on S.A. TV. So, it was good that you found ref.How many others won't know, but will keep quiet ?? Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Donkey Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 there must be a web site with Trooping of the Colour footage on some where Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Donkey Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <LI class=g><H3 class=r>here are some web sites with itBBC iPlayer - Trooping the Colour: 2009: Highlights</H3>Trooping the Colour - 2009: Highlights. Highlights from June 13, when the Queen's Colour of the Irish Guards was trooped. No longer available on BBC iPlayer ...www.bbc.co.uk/.../Trooping_the_Colour_2009_Highlights/ - Cached - Similar<LI class=g style="MARGIN-LEFT: 3em"><H3 class=r>BBC iPlayer - Trooping the Colour: 2009: Highlights</H3>Trooping the Colour - 2009: Highlights. To play or download Trooping the Colour: 2009: Highlights you need to enable JavaScript. ...www.bbc.co.uk/.../Trooping_the_Colour_2009_Highlights/?... - Cached - SimilarMore results from www.bbc.co.uk ?<LI class=g><H3 class=r>Trooping the Colour 2009</H3>Trooping the Colour will take place on Saturday 13 June 2009 on Horse Guards Parade. Events begin at approximately 10am and the parade starts at 11 a.m. ...www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/trooping.html - Cached - Similar<LI class=g><H3 class=r>Trooping the Colour 2009 - British Army Website</H3>The Queen's Birthday Parade will be held on Saturday 13th June 2009 on Horse Guards Parade when The Colour will be Trooped by 1st Battalion Irish Guards.www.army.mod.uk/events/events/11237.aspx - Cached - Similar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Lumsden Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 After Leigh's comments about changes in uniform - this is what a policeman used to look like....We were still wearing the good old tunics in 2002..............at least, for photo shoots. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Robin - GREAT ! Now we need someone to 'lift' my right arm in my photo to salute you....Interesting that your Force had your cap with silver braid for a Chief Inspector. The Met. don't get that until Superintendent. Mervyn Would be nice if other Police members would post their uniform photos - not only UK, but all Countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 (edited) Not a very good photo of me, but right now it's all I can locate! This was taken about 1981 when I was a deputy sheriff in Georgia. I had stopped by to eat supper at my brother-in-law's house where a birthday party was occuring. Luckily, most of my face is obscured! Edited June 27, 2009 by Mike Dwyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 Mike - There is Robin in his senior officer's uniform - me, in our old No.1's - and you - with a large drink in your hand..... Shame on you !!!Please send us one with the full uniform - then we can all say - 'Gee - that's what they wear in the films' !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Mike - There is Robin in his senior officer's uniform - me, in our old No.1's - and you - with a large drink in your hand..... Shame on you !!!Please send us one with the full uniform - then we can all say - 'Gee - that's what they wear in the films' !!!I afraid that's only the old Southern standard, iced tea!I have some other photos, but I believe they're in a rented storage shed we have because there's just not enough room in our house for all our junk! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leigh kitchen Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 They did'nt trust you with a whistle during basic training Merv? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldstream Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 The front page from this large all encompassing black book should take you back a bit Mervyn. Dated 1969 its about your era too. Ah the Metropolitan Police act................covers just about everything hey Merv :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Take me back - frightened the 'daylights ' out of me !! How many pages are in the full volume ? It was the bane of our lives - every week they would give us the amendments - it took hours to cut them out and stick them in - worst of all, we had to memorise at least half of the Acts and be able to 'spout' them . Necessary if you were making an arrest - the decision you made in 30 seconds, could be examined for months by lawyers, who then faced you off in court. Every policeman has always had the same memorising problem.I'm hoping that other members will post their uniforms - it can't just be Robin, myself and Mike - hiding behind his large glass !!! Leigh, at least, has to show us his - he's the Host...Thanks. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 I overlooked your note on the Met. Police Act. 1824 wasn't it ? The cover all for every problem - if no specific offense, examine this Act.... I always liked the one about shaking mats out of the window!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldstream Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Exactly that Mervyn, everything in that act from scrubbing door steps to straw for horses.....us poor County Officers had to make do with the more subdued Town and Police clauses act!By the way I just checked the 'book' and so as not to scare people they didn't number the pages........FIFTY TWO chapters to memorise though!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'll try and dig out my passing out photo for Surrey and post it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leigh kitchen Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 (edited) .............I'm hoping that other members will post their uniforms - it can't just be Robin, myself and Mike - hiding behind his large glass !!! Leigh, at least, has to show us his - he's the Host... Thanks. Mervyn Just found this (yes, in the garage) - Eynsham Hall, 1980, basic training. The helmet is an absolutely appalling model, hard plastic, cork lined, fitted with a white head harness, pink rubber sweatband,plastic chinstrap & a webbing chin harness. The whole covered in a dark blue cloth with a seam runnng front to back & almost a pleated effect below the cirular chromed band. Smaller than other models it looked like the thing was covered in a bit of denim from a pair of jeans - absolute garbage. And to crown it all the chinstrap attachment points were set some inches forward of their usual position where the chromed rosettes were to about the edges of your eyes. I would imagine that they were introduced in 1980 as every sergeant I met "commented" on the novelty. Very unpopular with those who had to wear them - & sergeants. Army DMS boots (with toecaps which you were'nt really supposed to have - but I interpreted the no toecaps issue as refering to steel toecaps not leather), the red & black lanyard was worn at training school by class drill leaders. The collar dogs are 1st pattern Cambridgeshire Constabulary "pineapples" which had recently replaced the Mid-Anglia shields- somebody somewhere decided that the little pointy three pronged coronets at the top were dangerous if you were gripped by the lapels (to your assailant rather than you?) & so they were replaced by the same design but on a shield. The helmet plate is the second pattern Cambridgeshire Constabulary one (discountng a limited run of twelve enamelled plates which were'nt actually worn) featuring the central device of the pineapple instead of the far more attractive (I feel) "ERII" of its predecessor, which itself was preceeded by the MId-Anglia plate. The Mid-Anglia insignia were still in use perhaps twenty years or more later, those who were issued them often prefering to wear thenm instead of Cambridgeshire ones. You did'nt see too many Cambridgeshire "ERII" plates & voided "ERII" cap badges & pineapple collar dogs (the ones that I preferred to wear)about during the 80's, 90's & first half of the noughties, the newer versions of pineapple insignia being the norm. The tunic is the newer type wthout fitted cloth waistbelt (which served no great purpose other than to give an assailant a a good grip) the tie is a clip on (ditto the waistbelt re the "proper" tie), the buttons sre the "general service" type St Edwards Crown with scalloped edging, as favoured by some yeomanry regiments. Cambridgeshire wore whistles at the time, but they were'nt allowed to be worn at Eynsham Hall, neither were medals on parades, only ribbons, allegedly because an inspecting officer was confronted with recruits who had more than he did. Edited March 5, 2010 by leigh kitchen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Very smart Leigh - you are obviously the class leader. When I was at Hendon they followed the same system - ex Forces always i/c class - they had the discipline. How many years did you do with Cambridgeshire ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leigh kitchen Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Ah no, class leaders wore a different coloured lanyard, we had drill leaders & class leaders. The college drill sergeant who was an ex-Coldstream queried "Fusiliers some sort of Engineers?" & used to "accidentally" refer to me being in "Light Infantry or something". 24 years nine months with Cambs as part of army service counted towards pension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Not a very good photo of me, but right now it's all I can locate! This was taken about 1981 when I was a deputy sheriff in Georgia. I had stopped by to eat supper at my brother-in-law's house where a birthday party was occuring. Luckily, most of my face is obscured! <img src="http://gmic.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/speechless1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="speechless1.gif" /> <img src="http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/318/deputymd.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> Ahhhhh.... the traditional snapshot of the cop stuffing his face in the donut shop!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Ahhhhh.... the traditional snapshot of the cop stuffing his face in the donut shop!!!!! No, Chris, at my brother-in-law's home, not a donught shop........not that I haven't frequented one once or twice. :whistle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now