Dave Wilkinson

Spot on Peter. Had forgotten that they even had a badge. Thanks for sharing mate! Dave.

Gents, Mike is correct. The Metpol. issued uniforms to their SC at the start of the Great War and as far as I'm aware whilst the armlet was worn, the metal arm plate was not. Dave.

Dave, Looks impressive!! Dave.

Dave, I may have one. Send me an email and I'll see what I can find. dave.wilkinson73@btinternet.com Dave.

Having seen the engraving close up, I would say that this was not the work of the Royal Mint. You are wise to leave well alone. Dave.

I can't comment on the style of naming, what I would caution is buying anything from a HK based seller. Take great care. There are many individuals who are "producing" no end of fake/altered items of memorabilia which purport to be from the pre.1997 disciplined services in HK. Dave.

Dave, I would not hold out much hope. His warrant number would be the key to identification. As I understand it divisional numbers were/are re-issued, so over a period of time (in theory) several individuals could have used that number. Someone with greater knowledge than me may be able to narrow the field down for you. Dave.

Dave, I don't think the "10" relates to the year of issue. It may be the size. When you get it, closely examine the lining and some other markings may be revealed. Police Orders dated Thursday April 9 1936, No:- 3 announced that chrome plated buttons etc were to be fitted to new issues of clothing. Your tunic has on it chrome plated buttons (as opposed to the earlier white metal version which required polishing), so it post dates 1936. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Nothing apparently wrong with the tunic or helmet. It appears to be of the pattern called the No:- 1 tunic/uniform which was worn on ceremonial occasions through to 11th November 1972 (think I have the date correct), when they were withdrawn. If you look inside the sleeve you should find some stamping in blue ink (The letters "MP" and the Crown together with a year). The year shown is that in which the tunic was issued. The helmet would have been worn (quite correctly) with the tunic. If you look at archive photos/film of the Queen's Coronation, you will see that this tunic and helmet were worn on the day by Metpol. Sergeants and Constables. Hope this is helpful. Dave. Ps. Forgot to mention that the tunic would have been worn with a black leather "snake" belt.

Bruce, There was only one Constable W. BELL serving in "D" Division during the period covered by the medals. His Warrant No:- was 78129. His first name was William. He joined the Metpol. on 21st November 1892 and was posted to "D" Division. He retired on pension as a Constable on 13th November 1920. He spent the whole of his service in "D" Division (Marylebone sometimes referred to as St. Marylebone). I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Excellent! Thank you for sharing. Dave.

Thanks Alan. You seem to have more or less sorted the query you initially had. Excellent research! Dave.

The War Dept. Constabulary were not formed until 1925 and it would seem that prior to that time certain War Dept. establishments were a Metpol. responsibility. The cost of providing such policing would be recharged to the War Dept. This is the most rational explanation I can think of in respect of Constable Ind's deployment. As an aside, the deployment of Metpol. officers outside London is not particularly unusual. At one time they policed the Royal Dockyards throughout the UK and indeed they still perform duty on the Royal Estates in Scotland and elsewhere outside the Metropolis. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity of buying the late John Green's entire Scottish truncheon/tipstaff collection from his widow. Alas, I don't collect truncheons. That said, I did have some very nice Scottish police badges from his Estate. I suspect that his truncheon collection is now somewhat scattered. I sincerely hope that the finer pieces remained in the UK. Dave. Dave.

Medals are not (certainly in the UK or in the UK Overseas Territories) ) kept in the "stores". They are of such value and individuality (to the Officer so awarded) that they are "minted" as required and are kept at the Commissioner's/Chief Constable's Office until approved presentation ceremonies. Your assertion that you were simply given one when you were not entitled to such medal does indeed reflect upon the integrity of the police force concerned. It also undermines and devalues the medal itself as any right minded individual will surely agree. Finally, I am simply repeating what you yourself have said. If that is a "malicious" statement then you need to take issue with the individual making it. Namely yourself. Dave.

I have simply made an observation in respect of comments made by someone else (see a previous posting) regarding the availability of such medals from the Trinidad & Tobago Police stores. My other observation concerned the quality of the medals. I'm not quite sure of the relevance of the photograph showing a police officer wearing them. Dave.

If you read this thread you will see that a previous correspondent indicated that if you are well connected and visit their stores, they will dip into an appropriate cardboard box and give you one (whether entitled or not) . The photographs indicate (to me at least) that the medals are poorly made. That said, they are an officially approved medal in that Country and as such merit a mention here. Dave.

"A" Division is Whitehall and "D" Division is Marylebone. Dave.

Stewart, The colours in the Crowns signify different ranks. I'll try to get this right, White Crown= Commandant; Blue Crown= Chief Inspector; Red Crown= Inspector; Yellow Crown= Sergeant; Plain Crown=Constable. Hope this is helpful. Dave.

Stewart, The attached image may be of interest to you. Dave.

As you say, it would be reasonable to assume that because of their short lived existence, insignia from the Luton County Borough Police (1964-66) would be difficult to find. That is certainly not the case. It would seem that the force spent lavishly on badges (and buttons) of various patterns and in very large numbers. It was a fair sized force by "Borough" standards and it rapidly increased its strength during its short existence. The County Borough Corporation, basking in its newly found municipal status obviously told its Watch Committee that money was no object. I recall writing to the force (as a young boy) in 1964 asking for a helmet badge. Almost by return a "Kodak* box arrived containing a variety of the new badges. Sent with his compliments and without charge, the CC said in the accompanying letter. Happy days! I still have them. Luton's badges (mainly the helmet plates) are still to be easily had to-day which is an indication of the large stocks which must have been bought. Dave.

Lawrence, I've never seen this pattern before. As you know, I have a belt plate featuring the full Coat of Arms of the Borough plus the designation "Grimsby Borough Police" Yours looks chrome plated. If it is, it may have been produced to comply with the 1935 Clothing Committee Report. In which case I would suggest that a King's Crown would be on the male half. Dave.

Lawrence, Very,very nice indeed!! Dave.

Brian, A nice original helmet. Almost certainly made in the UK. I don't think that the smaller badge on it is indicative of anything sinister. Small agencies often used what was available. Dave.

The special constable badge is the genuine item. Issued in their thousands during the Great War by Kent County Constabulary. Worth about £5-£10. Dave.