Dave Wilkinson

Coins, unless of an obsolete denomination are such that they tend to last and circulate for 60,70 or 80 years (and longer). So, they don't really fall into the same category as medals, stamps, badge and associated items of uniform. The mint presumably have a coin replacement/circulation policy which caters for a certain number of coins to be put into circulation each year. They presumably don't hold stocks and so to comply with their policy they would have to "mint" new coins. So, why not do so using a new die featuring the King's profile? As a aside, such enquiries that I've been able to make with several police forces have confirmed that they have no intention of changing the cipher (where used) or crown on any of their headdress badges in the immediate future. Dave.

He appears to be wearing a Metropolitan Special Constabulary uniform. The cap badge is certainly that of the MSC. His shoulder title is "HQCD" (Headquarters Central Detachment). He is probably a senior officer, although his rank markings (if that is what they are) are not familiar to me. I show herewith the cap badge he is wearing. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Well said!

The King has apparently made it known that stocks (of anything?) are not to be destroyed simply because they bear the image of the late Queen or her Cipher. They are all to be used prior to any new versions are produced bearing his image etc. He's told Royal Mail that they must use all their stocks of old issue EIIR stamps before commencing to use those showing his image. It seems obvious that this also applies to medals. "King’s Effigy on medals, to be issued imminently". This thread was started on 4th October 2022. I don't think so any time soon!

That's kind of you to say so. Thank you! Dave.

Norman, I think you may have cracked it then! Dave.

The cap badge is the bullion wire coat of arms of Coventry. I think that they are Coventry bobbies as those bullion wire badges were indeed worn by Senior Officers of Coventry City Police as can be seen in the second image of my badge grouping from there. Dave.

The cap & badge he is wearing and his lack of a duty armlet suggests that he is a member of a divisional band. Most, but not all Metpol. divisions maintained their own bands. They sometimes adopted a cap badge other than a Metpol. issued version. They were usually funded via their divisional welfare contributions. The name/location of the photographer is not really relevant as both the photographers and their subjects often travelled. Dave.

I Hannah, If you prepare a suitable letter and forward that sealed letter to the personnel dept of Sussex Police, with a request that it be posted on to Mr. Hibbert, that is one way of being able to contact him. Sussex Police will be paying Mr. Hibbert a pension and it follows that they will have his current address. For obvious reasons they will not give that information to you. However, they will pass on your letter to him. I myself have used this method of contacting retired bobbies and it works. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Norman, Your overall collection of Channel Islands insignia is outstanding and your Parish Police badges especially. If we each had everything there would be no challenge anymore and it would cease to be the enjoyable pastime that it is. I've not added anything from the Parishes in the last few years. I really must try to get over sometime this year and if I'm able to make it I'll give you a shout. Dave.

Hope you are well Norman. I think I have quite a few of the 35 Police Honorifique variations you need but you're not getting them! Thanks for the info. in respect of the warrant badge, which I was not aware of. I agree the current badges are of poor quality. At least they've had the Inspectors badge finished in hard fired enamel instead of the cheap plastic epoxy. Best wishes for 2023. Dave.

As jermil has not responded, I will. The photo was taken circa. 1952/53. The badge being worn in the photo is the one which he actually shows in his post. It features the voided arms of Jersey in the centre. Dave. Yes, States of Jersey Police do have separate headdress badges for the two lower ranks and a different pattern enamelled cap badge for Inspectors up to Superintendent. The Chief and Deputy wear a bullion wire wreath. Dave.

No, I believe that they were awarded the Colonial Police Long Service medal. Dave.

I think I've mentioned this previously, but the Commissioner of Met., Sir Mark Rowley was awarded his PLSM whilst in post as Chief Constable of Surrey and his medal is named accordingly with the prefix. "Ch. Const.". Dave.

Yes, I'll gladly do that. Dave.

My apologies, it was not intended as such. I was trying to be helpful. Dave.👍

An interesting locally issued example of a 20 year Long Service Medal for the South East Coast Ambulance Service. This presumably dates from before the issue of the national medal. Unnamed on the reverse. Dave.

Yes, he is. He's said that on more than one occasion previously. Dave.

I don't have a picture, but I can tell you that the reverse features the badge of the Scottish Ambulance Service. This can easily be viewed on the internet. Dave.

Several media outlets are to-day reporting that the St. Edward's (Queen's) Crown has been removed from the Tower of London to be "re-sized" for wear by King Charles III at his Coronation in June. If true, this announcement will no doubt cause a degree of confusion, it being the Imperial State Crown (not the St. Edward's) which appears above the Monarch's newly introduced cipher. Readers will be aware that the Queen's Crown currently appears on the majority of current police (and military) badges. The College of Heralds have already indicated that there is no need for the Crown to be changed on any currently worn insignia. It will be interesting to see what pattern of Crown is used on any "Crowned" images of the King which appear on medals etc. Talk about sending mixed messages! Dave.

I would have thought that there must be several more Ch.Insps. in NWP who have had their LS medals issued with their rank in Welsh. But perhaps not. But I do appreciate the "unique" point you make. I still find it really odd that the other Welsh forces don't seem to have embraced the concept of giving staff the option of having their medals named with their rank in Welsh. They are obviously not interested, or else the possibility has not occurred to them. Dave.

I suppose that to a certain extent his "appointment" as Chief Special is something of an anomaly. Normally such positions are filled by "career" members of the SC who have climbed the SC rank ladder and have long service. I see that he does not have an SC LS medal. Presumably he will not become eligible until he completes the required period of voluntary service. Also, I'm assuming that he's not being paid to fill the position. If he is he will be ineligible under the current terms of the Royal Warrant, unless it's been amended. I don't think the grouping is unique as such. The Staffs. SC I quoted in the previous post has all those medals (except Kosovo) plus, the SC LS medal and bar. If your man serves long enough to achieve this, I'd agree, probably unique. Dave.

I have uploaded images of the full-sized medal under the heading "Jersey Honorary Police Long Service Medal - Images" Dave.

These images have been kindly provided by the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey and are used with permission. Dave.

This group awarded to Douglas Fleuret shows the Colonial Police LS medal. It was gazetted on the 11th January 1956, so is I suspect the first version. The wording on the rim reads "Const. Douglas Fleuret Falkland Islands Police". During the period that this medal was awarded the Falkland Islands Police consisted of a Chief Constable, a Sergeant and three Constables. Fleuret's force number was 2. Probably the smallest of the Colonial Police Forces. Long service medals to this force are exceptionally rare. The men seldom stayed long enough to earn a medal. Dave.