Mike McLellan

What a cool picture! My over-active imagination suggests at least three men (prisoners?) under the watchful eye of that stern looking gent just out of focal range. That gun looks brand spanking new. If we rule out Somali pirates, that leaves...uh... anyone...anyone? Very cool picture. Mike.

Good morning Alan. If you ask the moderators to move your inquiry to the “Mervyn Mitton Police” forum, I’m sure that you will attract the attention of some of the experts who haunt that forum. There is a wealth of historical information within the membership. I’m certain that they will be eager to assist you. Mike.

Kevin and Dave, Thanks for the interesting bit of history. Very nice reading. Mike.

Great story and photo. It appears that the lance is his primary weapon with rifle being present “just in case”. A formidable adversary either way.

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Terrific reading. Thanks for posting. Mike

As long as we're still riveted to the exciting world of old police rattles, allow me to show you another from my collection. There is no maker's mark on it, but it appears quite similar to the Parker Field rattles. It predates the folding handle and is about a half-inch shorter. There is no crow's foot stamp, but if you squint your eyes just right, and with optimal lighting, you can make out an "S", a "0", and maybe an "E", "F", or perhaps an "X". Under these is the number 9 (maybe). The lead inserts, I think, indicate police use, but I suppose that that's just a wildly baseless assumption on my part. I don't know why I'm drawn to these old rattles. Maybe their absence of technology is a refreshing respite from a world that pretty much leaves me in the dust. At any rate, I really do like these old things! Cheers, Mike.

Beautiful! Displays like yours add volumes to the lexicon of police history. What other treasures do you have? Can you show some close-up photos of the uniform components (badges, whistle, truncheon, etc.)? Really, really nice. Thanks for letting us see your collection. Where did you get all that stuff? Mike.

Beautiful! They look as though they were carefully stored in a socks drawer for the last hundred years! Mike.

Well? What did you find out from the Heritage Centre? I'm willing to bet that your truncheon was used by the Metropolitan Police, and not associated with any dockyard agency. In his book on truncheons, Alan Cook reminds us that the Defense Ministry inspected as much of the Met's equipment that they could lay their hands on in 1884, and left the ubiquitous WD Broad-Arrow stamp on everything. This thread is four years old now. What else have you scored for your collection. Let's have some more pictures! Mike.

It's disappointing to note that the photos of PeterMc's pre-harp RIC rattle have disappeared. His is probably the coolest policeman's rattle in existence! I hope he can re-post his photos as everybody needs to see this rattle! It's a real beauty. Better yet, he should sell it to me and I'll post the photos. Anyway, I have a new rattle that I'd like to show you. It's a Parker, Field item, and I'm sure it was delivered to the Metropolitan Police in 1883. The firm, Parker Field moved from their shop at 233 Holborn in 1877, and moved again from Lehman St. in 1883 to Tavistock Street. Alan Cook reminds us in his book on truncheons, that the Defense Ministry Ordnance Board inspected the Metropolitan Police equipment in 1884, leaving their broad-arrow WD mark as proof. We also know, with some certainty, that in February of 1884, the Metropolitan Police received their first consignment of 21,000 General Purpose Whistles. With the introduction of the police whistle, the rattles, which served policemen, constables, and the watchmen from the seventeenth century, were deemed obsolete, Although reincarnated in 1939 as an all-clear signal as needed by the ARP and again later to supplement the din at football games, the rattle became an historical curiosity. This rattle, despite being 133 years old, is in brand, spanking new condition.

What a fine story. The gallantry of individual soldiers and the sacrifices that they made magnify, in retrospect, the horrible folly of war. All soldiers deserve our tribute. Thanks for sharing the story and photo. Mike.

Honor cross (Hindenburg) combatant & Kaiser Karl's Troop Cross WWl. (?) Welcome to the forum. I'm not one of the experts on medals here. I just happen to be awake at this ungodly hour (4:40 am).

Don't forget Waterloo medals. Just kidding. Simply amazing work. Your posts (with pictures, of course) are among my favorites. Your artistry is unbelievable. Keep it coming. Mike.

Don't know anything about the medal, but the ribbon strongly resembles the Crimea Medals of 1855(?).

Nothing seems to elude you for very long! Beautiful collection. Thanks for sharing. Mike

Without the benefit of a cup of coffee, a clear head, or any knowledge whatsoever, I'd have to guess that it is an unofficial representation of "Hermes'" wings. Maybe to commemorate service on the aircraft carrier?

Riviting story of a young man's heroic sacrifice, gleaned from the edge of a quite common medal. Thanks to the Olde family of Cornwall, and thanks to you for sharing the story. The memorial is breath-taking. I've never seen it before.

I'm sure that Mrs. Beevor undoubtedly reminded him, whenever the occasion allowed, that she had told him to slow down!

That's not very encouraging news for a first-time poster. Can you be even more specific?

Can you please elaborate for us non-experts?

I've followed this thread from the start and have enjoyed the journey from beginning to end. Very enlightening and interesting. Thanks. I don't know how eager I would be to wear such a hat into battle, though.

Holy cow!! What a great story to read and see. Thanks for sharing.

May we see them?

Igor, If you have time, please give us some basis for your conclusions. Just a word or two for the sake of rank amateurs / students like myself. Thanks, Mike.