Dave Wilkinson

Mervyn, Thank you for your kind comments (and also to Mike). Yes, Vic Wilkinson has had sight of them. Vic has many Metpol. items I don't have and vice versa, so its swings and roundabouts. Dave.

Mike, I was not going to attach any photos but you did ask! Dave.

Mike, See the attached photos. The "unnamed" QVC badge is purportedly from the Commissioner's horse furniture but I've been unable to confirm this either way. There are, as you can see, two different patterns of the "named" QVC badge. Alas, the EVIIR version is a poor example. The final photo shows a representative grouping of QVC helmet plates etc as worn in the Metropolis itself (not the Dockyards or River). Dave.

Your informant is incorrect. The Metpol. have produced the full range of horse breast badges from VR to the present day, all showing the words "Metropolitan Police". The Metpol. Mounted Branch ay Imber Court have a small museum which has exhibited a short lived EVIIIR version. This particular version is the only one which I am missing from my collection. The brass coloured item which you show is a generic military horse breast badge. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

If this worries you to the great extent that it appears to, then I would suggest that you (or someone on your behalf) make a Freedom of Information request posing a number of questions, the answers of which, if provided, will enable you to satisfy yourself one way or the other. As an aside, the Commissioner carries the "can" for any departure from the norm as it is he who certifies that the criteria and terms of the Royal Warrant (as amended) is fulfilled.. This is notwithstanding the fact that he relies on information (in paper form) which is placed in front of him. Dave.

You need to understand the process which takes place which eventually results in the Royal Mint "issuing" (if that is the correct word) a Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. That process starts with a Certificate being signed by the Commissioner/Chief Constable confirming that the Officer concerned has completed the required period of service and that during that period his/her conduct has been exemplary. The certificate is then then forwarded to the relevant Secretary of State who authorises the Royal Mint to provide the medal. The named medal is then sent to the authorising Secretary of State who completes a Certificate and then sends this, together with the named medal to the requesting police force who will then arrange its presentation. If there have been errors then those errors have been made by the respective police forces. I would suggest that the intimation that the fault lays with the Royal Mint and its staff is spurious, to say the least. Dave

The photo indicates that your band does NOT appear originate from the City of London. I say that because the buckle seems to be white metal. If the band originates from the City of London the buckle would be brass. It is something of a misnomer to suggest that the City of London Police were the only force to wear red and white duty bands. They were worn (until the 1970's) in Jersey and by the former Hove Borough Police (1858-1943) to name just two. There were probably quite a few others. Dave. The unpublished manuscript "The History of Metropolitan Police Uniforms & Equipment" by Wilkinson & Fairfax says:- "Armlets - Sergeants and constables 1886. Issued with new pattern of alternate blue and white stripes of equal length". I hope this is helpful. Dave.

A fantastic series of events and outstanding gallantry. I'm sure that there is some further research you could do in respect of the Officers involved. I feel sure that STEVENSON would have received some further award(s) apart from those which you have and which he would have received anyway irrespective of this incident. If you go to the Liverpool Record Office in William Brown Street and look at the Liverpool Watch Committee minutes for the period I am sure that more will be revealed. Archive copies of the Liverpool Echo would also be worth searching. The list of things you can do to put some further "meat" on this excellent group is endless. I would have had no hesitation in buying these medals and I think you did the right thing in doing so. Additional research would certainly add value without a doubt. I for one would be interested in hearing how you get on with that. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes, Dave Wilkinson

Very interesting. But, firstly who was the recipient of the medals and secondly what is the concluding part of the story? Dave.

The emblem in the centre is military in origin. It is NOT not Dublin Police, Royal Irish Constabulary or any other Irish Police force. Dave.

Mervyn, The Riot Act of 1714 was repealed in 1967. The Riot Damages Act 1886 is still in force. The offence of "Riot" itself is now set out in Section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986. There is no longer a requirement for a public announcement or warning to be made or given. Yes, in the event of a riot (the fact that persons are charged with the offence is sufficient) then any claims for damage must be considered by the Police and Crime Commissioner for the police area. Essentially, they have simply dropped the requirement to "read" the Act. Best wishes, Dave.

The term "Custodian" is a trade marked name used by C.W. Headdress Ltd. I agree that it appears to have been adopted by many individuals to describe a police helmet irrespective of its age. However, that in my view is quite wrong. The Wikipedia page which talks about police helmets is incorrect in a number of respects, this being one of them. Re-enforced "public order" police helmets began to appear in the late 1970's but I think that C.W. Headdress began using that name in the 1980's. With regard to the term being used by the police service generally, I think that is understandable in that most if not all helmets currently being worn are the re-enforced "plastic" type the majority being made by C.W. Headdress who appear to have the market share of supplying forces. Dave.

Mervyn, Although the Riot Act itself was repealed in 1967, the offence of "riot" still exists as an offence in the UK. Whilst you probably took part in a "riot" prosecution, it was most certainly not the last. In the summer of 1981 serious rioting took place in Liverpool and in other large mainland UK cities. Prosecutions for riot look place then (I was involved in one such case whilst a Merseyside Police Officer) and have almost certainly taken place since. Don't forget that Northern Ireland was and indeed still is a part of the UK. I don't think I need to elaborate in respect of the rioting which has taken place there and which has resulted, over the years in numerous prosecutions for "riot". Sorry to "split hairs"................. Dave.

Mervyn, The late John Green is the gent who published the book on Scottish Police insignia etc. Dave.

It would have been an RAF style blue/grey fleck shirt without epaulettes and patch pockets. To be strictly accurate it should have a detachable collar with stud front and back. If his tunic were removed the shirt would obviously be visible together with probably braces to hold up his trousers. Dave.

Its a helmet plate. If you go to the website "ozbadge" yoiu will find a comprehensive site dealing with all Australian Police insignia. Dave.

Mervyn, Although I have his "I spy Blue" book, its many years since I glanced at it, but did so several minutes ago. He credits both photos as being from "The Times". I may have noticed the error previously but have to admit that I've never drawn his attention to it. Indeed I've never had any contact with him. He's certainly not (to my knowledge) ever been a member of PICA or similar. I saw the photo for the first time many years ago in a small booklet published in the 1940's by the Chief Constable of Liverpool in which he set out a brief history of policing in Liverpool. I suspect that the original copyright for it rests with Liverpool City Police. Dave.

Mervyn, Your annexed photo which you caption "City of London Constables Uniform Prior to 1865" is unfortunately incorrect. It actually shows a Liverpool Borough Constable. The City of London Police have never worn a belt plate, in addition you can see the Liver bird badges on his collar. Finally, the photo is one which appears regularly in publications dealing with the early history of Liverpool City Police. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

The letter "R" together with the divisional letter/number was worn on the tunic collar and on the helmet plates. The designation on helmet plates continued until approx. 1935/6. At that time a slightly re-designed helmet plate was introduced featuring the GvR cipher in place of the letters/numbers. Dave.

Senior Officers in the City Police when wearing No:-1 uniform did not wear external sword belts. Canvas belts were worn beneath the tunic with the sword suspended on a hook attached to the concealed belt , the hook being accessed through a "slit" in the left side of the tunic. Dave.

The City Police have never worn chrome fittings on their uniforms. They were either brass (pre. c.1970) or gold anodised (post c. 1970). This is notwithstanding the chrome chain shown in the photo. Dave.

"E" Division reserves. Dave.

Are you going to share that information with us? Perhaps you would also post a photo of the reverse.

Having collected police insignia and some associated material for some fifty plus years now I've always been tempted to collect truncheons. In the early days I was "caught out" by a fraudster and ever since that experience has taught me to steer well clear of them and that would be the advice I would give to anyone who contemplates going in that direction. I've no doubt that others would disagree but that is honest my opinion. Dave.Wilkinson

The Lancashire "plaque" is just that. The badge is a plastic replica of the helmet plate which n its actual form is manufactured in chrome plated metal and soft enamel. Dave.