219PG

The following 1934 Metropolitan Police Christmas card was sent by PC 561X Arthur Quemby who was tragically in January 1948 when he skidded on ice while performing motorcycle beat duty. Arthur appears in the Met police book of remembrance. Below is a photograph of PC Arthur Quemby in uniform.

Back page Civil Defence (London Christmas Card) 1940

Front page Civil Defence (London Christmas Card) 1940

Metropolitan Police Christmas card 1940's

While collecting Met police photo's e.t.c I sometimes get other bits and pieces along with purchases like the attached. A London Fire Brigade & Auxiliary Fire Service Christmas card dated 1940. During 1940 - 41 they were bravely battling to save London from fires caused during the blitz. Anyone got any other old Christmas cards from Police Forces or Fire services tucked away. Happy Christmas

Thanks Odin MK3 - I wonder if Joseph also called himself John (appears on birth certs etc) going to have to do some more digging. Thanks for your efforts, glad you like the photo. Alex

Metropolitan Police Force : Thames Division Jubilee/Coronation medals Here are my much cherished Great Grandfathers Jubilee & Coronation medals that are proudly displayed at the Met Police Marine Support Unit (Thames Division) Museum, Wapping, London. My G/Grandfather was Inspector Alfred George Hart born 1871 who joined the Met in 1894 & retired in 1922, warrant no 79362. He served the majority of his service on Thames Division although he also served a period of time at CO. While researching my Great Grandfather I have discovered my Great Great Grandfather was also an Inspector in the Met and served on Thames Division. I'm having trouble finding his warrant no, can anyone out there give me a kick start please ? His details are John Stubbs born 1851 and believed to have joined the Met 1871.

On the 30/11/2012 at Abney Park cemetery, Metropolitan police officers from Hackney joined members of the local community to pay tribute to an officer who was killed on duty 130 years ago. Hackney’s Borough Commander Matthew Horne laid a wreath and addressed the gathering. A two minute silence was observed in memory of PC Cole and other fallen officers. Councillor Sophie Linden and Hackney’s Reverend Niall Weir were also present and both addressed the service. George Cole was born in Bristol in 1854 and joined the Met on 17th January 1881, aged 25. He had previously served six years in the Army’s 46 Regiment, which was not an untypical career path for many policemen in the Victorian era. He married Elizabeth Chidgley in May 1882. She died in 1911 and is buried in the same grave. During Cole’s early career he lived at 26 Roseberry Place. This is now the area of the new Dalston Junction Station. PC83 George Cole of ‘N’ Division was murdered on Friday 1st December 1882 after apprehending a young thief, who was trying to break into a chapel in Dalston. His prisoner escaped by firing a pistol at him, resulting in his immediate and untimely death. The murderer fled the scene, leaving behind a chisel with the word ‘rock’ scratched on it. The investigating officer, PS Cobb, eventually discovered the owner of the tool to be Thomas Orrock, 21. PS Cobb later found a mark on a tree on Tottenham Marshes where Orrock had been conducting target practice. The officer dug a bullet out of the tree and this appeared to be the same weight and type as those recovered from PC Cole’s body. A gun maker from Whitechapel testified that the bullet from Tottenham Marshes and the two from the scene were all fired from the same pin cartridges used by the gun, which had been bought by Orrock. This case was probably the earliest recorded use of ballistics evidence by the Metropolitan Police. Thomas Orrock was sentenced to death at the Old Bailey in September 1884. He was hanged on Monday 6th October 1884, at Newgate, alongside another convicted murderer, Thomas Harris, 48, who had killed his wife in Kendall Rise, London. The ceremony would not have been possible without the excellent work of Keith Foster. Keith, a police historical researcher, went to great lengths to find George Cole’s grave. In Keith’s spare time he assists in conducting research for the Police Roll of Honour Trust. During his research he came across the story of PC Cole, which led him to undertake the huge task of locating his grave. This took several months and was finally located amongst the tangled and overgrown rows of memorials at Abney Park. The headstone, which Keith restored, was still intact and legible and was revealed for the first time in decades thanks to Keith Foster’s efforts.

A few years ago I was lucky enough to obtain a 1935 Metropolitan police warrant card. I cant imagine there are too many around for the obvious reason you should hand them back at the end of your service. The style of warrant card in the Met didn't change from this until about 30 years ago when photographs of the officer were introduced. I would be interested to know if anyone else has one in their collection whatever Force? This one was issued to PC 339F John Edward Bruce (warrant no 124137) and has the facsimile signature of the then Commissioner Trenchard.

Thanks for the welcome. I am still serving (just) ! I think the image must have been taken c1864 when the Prussian style helmet was replacing the top hat. I suppose the sergeant may have got one of the first !. I have seen an image dated 1865 o/s Erith police station where the constable is still wearing a top hat but the acting sergeant has a helmet. I have hopefully attached a copy of one of my favourite cdv's - apart from the helmet please note the leather truncheon case & armband. Shame the beard covers the collar numbers. Photographer was Sands & Co.

Hi I'm a new member as of today - I'm a collector of Metropolitan police related cdv's, cabinet cards, RPPC's and ephemera. Thought I would start off by commenting on the image of Met constables c 1860 - I think that this may be a cropped version of a well documented image of constables at Sydenham, South London. The background appears the same as well as the constables, although the constable in the helmet on the right is missing, Attached is the Sydenham image - what do you think ?