Dave Wilkinson

Hi Lawrence, Newport had 260 men when it amalgamated in 1967. So, I suspect they would probably have had half that number during the period the badges were worn. The wreath badge was used on both helmet & cap. The smaller wreath is an epaulette badge. Welsh police badges usually command some good interest. I don't think you will have any difficulty in finding a new owner. Hope you and the family are well. Dave.

Hi Brian, Yes, you are so right! Dave.

I'm puzzled! This is a piece of military equipment and has nothing whatsoever to do with policing - let alone British policing. Incidentally, what is a "perp"? Oh, do you mean an offender? Dave.

Not unusual. As others have said, a military trench stick. 1stWW. In the late 1950's I recall my paternal Grandmother having one of these. She kept it in the small cupboard (containing the electricity meter) adjacent to he front door of her large Victorian house in the Wavertree area of Liverpool. Haven't a clue what happened to it. Dave.

The badge is not a UK municipal Coat of Arms, or part of a municipal Coat of Arms that I recognise. It could be a design used on a local town "seal" or similar. To reiterate my earlier theory, I believe he is a civilian bandmaster of some sort. Dave.

I don't think its a military guy. My theory is that he is a bandmaster of a Town Band or similar. Dave.

I was an English bobby for thirty-five years and served in four different police forces. During my service I saw no evidence of "weighted" truncheons being used, officially or otherwise. The first part of my service was in a very turbulent and often violent city. That said, truncheons were seldom drawn let alone used. So, (like it or not) I support what delibob says. I'm perhaps fortunate that I don't live in Canada! Dave.

I think the smallest (in Wales) was Carmarthen Borough Police with 17 men. They amalgamated with their County in 1944. For the greater part of their existence they had only 12 men and were known as the "Carmarthen Shilling" (12 Coppers). Dave.

You have to remember that in 1951, when the PLS&GC medal was introduced, all those who had 22 years service with unblemished conduct would have been in the frame to get the medal. That would have included all the CC's and their (very few) non-Home Office equals. Since then there would have been further awards. However, those small non-HO forces which existed in Wales have long since disappeared, well before Welsh naming became the norm. I would think that the number of Welsh rank named medals would be (by this time) many hundreds. However, I take your point. As an aside, isn't it interesting that the rank abbreviations on the PLS&GC medal are never shown as "PC", "PS" or "PI" ?

I doubt it. The rarest examples of PLS&GC medals will be those showing Chief Officer (Ch.Offr..) rank. A number of the non-Home Office forces were headed by a Chief Officer (as opposed to Chief Constable). The number of medals issued bearing that rank would be very few. Possibly no more than a dozen or so. Dave.

At the time of amalgamation on 31st March 1947 they had 45 men. Dave.

Unfortunately, the use of the Royal Crown, has in recent years, been portrayed increasingly on "fashion" items and its use in that respect is not unusual. Dave.

I wonder it may be a "fashion" item? Dave.

Very nice Dave. I'll have to pop around for a brew! You'll have to get a decent enamelled plate for that current Met. helmet. Those cold enamel (plastic) blue rings look so cheap and nasty. Alas, a sign of the times! Dave.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way of telling. White metal (German silver) which is what these numbers appear to be made of, was used up until the mid-1930's when the same design etc was chrome plated. Dave.

Possibly, but the screw fasteners were also used during the Vic. period. Dave.

Does anyone have copies of the almanacs mentioned? If so, would they kindly scan the entry for Eastbourne Police (shown under Sussex (East)) and let me see it? Thanks in advance. Dave.

They are still used currently by some forces that use collar badges. The height of their popularity was probably the 60's & 70's. Dave.

In that case it looks good! Dave.

That appears to be nearer the mark than the example you posted previously. I'm assuming its segmented. They don't quite show in the photo. Dave.

The attached photo may help. Dave.

It was similar, but the shape is not correct. If you "Google" Metropolitan Police" you should find some images of Victorian Met. Police helmets. Dave.

Gordon, I think the term "War Office" relates to the Government Dept. who were responsible for the War Department Constabulary. They were re-named Army Dept. Constabulary in 1964 and became part of the Ministry of Defence Police in 1971. Dave.

Gordon, I'm attaching the details from the book in question which I hope is helpful. Henry Pierrepoint was Albert's relative. Albert himself does not appear on the scene as an Assistant Executioner until 1935. Dave.

My information in respect of CHRISTIE has been taken from "The Encyclopaedia of Executions" by John J. Eddleston which details every execution (and the background to the trial and conviction) carried out in the British Isles between 1900 and the last hangings in 1964 which took place on the same day and time at HMP Manchester & HMP Liverpool. The primary sources for the information contained in the book came from Assize documents held at the Public Record Office at Kew . CHRISTIE apparently admitted at interview murdering each of the persons whose bodies were found in his house and those buried in the garden. The only exception was a baby girl, the daughter of the man EVANS. He was particularly keen to do so as he thought that by so doing it would demonstrate clearly that he was insane; thus saving him from the hangman. These admissions by CHRISTIE, were later used as the basis of Timothy EVANS being granted a full pardon in respect of his conviction and execution for murdering his wife and daughter. The people who CHRISTIE admitted murdering are named in the book. There is no indication that he was only charged with one murder. Dave.