Dave Wilkinson

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.

Mike, Yes, a very long period of use. The same die (and design) is still used for the current helmet plate. The finish differs slightly and the divisions and numbers have been dropped and replaced with the letters "CP" (City Police) in gold anodised finish. Dave.

Mike, They date from 1914 when the oval bottom tablet was changed to take the divisional letters. Prior to that the oval simply took the bobbies number. The brass letters/numbers were replaced with gold anodised versions in the 1970's. Hope this is helpful. Dave.

Chief Constables in England & Wales don't wear aiguillettes. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and of the City of London do. However, ceremonial uniform ceased to be worn by the Chief Constables around about the late 1950's. Dave.

I'm sorry. What do you mean "silver ceremony cords" ? Dave.

Whistle chains are quite frequently seen on eBay for a not a great amount of cash. Dave.

I think you will find they are cap badges. The helmet plates are three times that size. Dave.

Iain, Firstly, to correct the information given by a previous contributor, the War Dept. Constabulary existed in that name from 1925 to 1964. In 1964 it was re-named the Army Dept. Constabulary. That said, there was no change of insignia, WDC badges continuing to be worn. In 1971, the force was amalgamated together with the other civilian service police forces to form the Ministry of Defence Police. With regard to the records of the WDC,, your first port of call should be the National Archives at Kew. If you have no luck there you could try the MoD Police themselves. They do maintain quite a few historical records at their HQ. Dave.

Yes, still a very popular hobby in the UK. Dave

They are not UK police related numbers. Dave.

Thank you Kevin. An interesting "tradition" re. the wall. I wonder if present day Met. Police Officers are continuing the practice of their predecessors. Dave.

Kevin, Although the force only used one pattern of badge throughout its existence, this badge was used on a number of different patterns of helmet over the years. The final type worn was the ornate version you mention. At one time, instead of wearing a helmet during the summer months they utilised a peaked kepi. A photo depicting this type of headgear is shown the the "Policing the Peninsula" book. In the 1914 group photo you show, it can be seen that they are wearing the large belt plate depicted on the photo of the badges etc which I posted earlier. I hope this is helpful. Dave.