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Really interesting object and must be one of a kind - City of London police Museum must be able to help with this detectives history - please let us know what you find out - must be a very distinguished detective - Nothing to do with a poppy !!

Robin I used to work at Deptford, South London and always stopped to look at these skulls that are on the gate to St Nicholas church. A church has been at this location for 800 years and Christopher Marlowe (contemporary of Shakespeare) is said to be buried in the grave yard. Deptford is situated on the banks of the Thames, near Greenwich, and because of it's long maritime history it is said that these skull & cross bones were the inspiration for the pirate flag. Alex

Craig From 1865 Croydon and Addington were W Division. Z Division was created in February 1921. Thornton Heath Sub - Division covered the Norbury area until at the new station was built and occupied in 1925. Thornton Heath Sub - Division then became known as Norbury Sub - Division. I cant find your Pc Rowther at the moment - maybe Odin can? Alex

Great minds think alike Alex

In 1888 John Grimwood appears to have given evidence at the Old Bailey trial of Leon Serne & John Henry Goldfinch, both charged with arson. Serne was found guilty and sentenced to 2 years penal servitude, Goldfinch was found not guilty. Below is Grimwoods evidence taken from the court transcript (OldBailey on line). This provides you with his Divisional no E397. John Grimwood (Policeman E 397). On 18th September, about 1. 35 a.m., I was on duty in the Strand, and saw smoke issuing from the top window of 274, I came from the east, from Temple Bar; I ran for a fire-escape and called the firemen—the escape came about three minutes afterwards—I assisted the constable in trying to force the doors open, and rescue the inmates—I went to 275, and had to come back—I then went to 277, where Mrs. Serné was rescued. Alex

John Charles Grimwood joined the Met as a constable on the 16th February 1885, warrant number 70100, and was posted to E Division (Holborn). He left the Met on the 21st February 1910 while serving on S Division (Hampstead) as a station sergeant (SPS). National archives MEPO 4/343/169 (leavers register) refs. He received the 1887 Jubilee medal while serving as a constable on E Division and the 1897 bar while serving as a sergeant on P Division (Camberwell). He received the 1902 coronation medal while serving as a sergeant on S Division (Hampstead). John appears to have been one of those officers who re joined the Met on the 13th June 1911 to police the coronation & was given the new warrant number O2668. He would have received the 1911 coronation medal. Alex

Peter Edward Nursey - warrant number 67553 - joined the Met on the 11th March 1883 and died while serving as a sergeant on R Division (Greenwich). No service record for him I'm afraid, so no date of birth etc - only shown in register of joiners & leavers. He appears to have got the 1887 Jubilee medal while serving on A Division as a PC, 1897 Jubilee while on P Division as PS & 1902 coronation medal on R Division as PS. The Old Bailey on line show's an Edward Nursey sergeant S Div as a witness to the 1890 trial of Robert Shirley for theft/burglary, 1890 trial of Mary Eleanor Pearcey for murder, 1891 trial of James Gorman, Albert Gorman & Richard Price for theft/extortion. Edward Nursey Detective X Div gave evidence in the 1893 trial of Walter Hosler for murder. Edward Nursey sergeant R Div gave evidence in the 1900 trial of Elizabeth Carter for bigam ------------ Pity the medals have been split up !! Alex

Congratulations Odin - looks a great display. Alex

As you can see, all but one of the group are wearing this medal. Maybe it's a type of local medal given to celebrate the 1911 coronation? - unless they were all awarded for some form of joint gallantry. Thanks Alex

Thanks for all your suggestions - it is very similar to the Royal Humane society medal but from what I know there are no matches. Alex