SemperParatus

Sound reasoning Brian, loads of practical explanations for the hat badge on the helmet being used. My examples were merely from Toronto. It looks like William Scully sold these types of hat badges to many Canadian departments.

As for the white helmet - I can tell you that Toronto Police practice was to wear white helmets during the summer months.

I'd say based on its length, Canadian. And it would be worn on the Balmoral headdress. I could be wrong as I'm no expert but i was attached to the Black Watch in Montreal in 2005-06

Consistent with the Black Watch

What's the Latvian equivalent of Sausage and Sauerkraut?

Well it's a trumpet banner for the 36° Reggimento Artiglieria aka the 36th Artillery Regiment. It bears their insignia. I would search their history for an accurate time frame. It is also laden with insignia of the Italian Royal House of Savoy.

1928, Patrol Sergeant Scott in Winter Patrol Dress

I thought I would share an article here that those who frequent this board may find interesting. It recounts the story of Henry Earl Scott, a Toronto Police officer who won the Military Medal and King's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry - the only Canadian police officer to hold both awards (one Canadian firefighter was also decorated with both). Interestingly both deeds were done without firing a shot and the incidents happened decades apart, though he had long and distinguished service in between. Scott never had children and his memory faded into obscurity until last year when some other research uncovered this interesting man.

Here is the link:

http://tpsnews.ca/stories/2018/01/remembering-humble-hero/

Left one photo out by mistake,

1934, Mounted Police at the CNE Warrior's Day Parade

I concur that these are cap badges for forage caps (peaked caps). Whereas the custodian helmet (with its larger helmet plate) was in use for general patrol, by the  the early 1920's, forage caps were in use for specialized positions such as mounted officers, motorcycle duty, bandsmen, senior officers, and others . By the late 40's early 1950's forage caps were were in widespread use, and continue to be the standard headress for the Toronto Police Service. The helmet plate and the forage cap's badges were the same in design but differed in size (whereas the senior officers wore a different cap badge bearing the City of Toronto's coat of arms).

Here are some photos from the City of Toronto Archives:

1920, Three Policemen (The other officers are wearing the winter patrol lambskin hat)

1923, Toronto Police Silver Band at Massey Hall

1924, Inspector Essen Bond (wearing the different cap badge for senior officers)

1926, Motorcycle Division with Chief Draper

1929, Police Promotions - George Smith (the larger helmet plate is apparent)

1949, Police Constables in new Summer Dress

Ah I may be out of luck then - thanks for the reply.

On 07/09/2017 at 09:38, POWCollector said:

Hi John,

I have found a picture online of this man whilst interned in Holland!

Hope you are glad to put a face to the name!

Rob

Hi Rob,

Can you tell me where you found this picture? Is it from the ICRC Archives?

I'm trying to locate photos of 2 interned POW's, Canadians captured at Ypres - Angus Ferguson #28022 15th Battalion CEF and Harry Rainbow #9627 3rd Battalion CEF.

Both men were Toronto policemen and the effects of their captivity ruined the rest of their lives (I'm writing a short story that I will eventually link here). I've downloaded some of their documents from the ICRC Archives but I would love some advice on where I can try to find photos of their captivity.

What a great thread this is  - amazing collections here. Azyeoman thanks for your posts and writeups.

My next question at this point is why someone would have this made?

It's not really a "reproduction " because no one can identify the source..

Ah that sounds more like it. I may be wrong on his service dates but it's somewhere in that ballpark.

Looks like his route from Marseille to St Julien (near the Swiss border and close to Geneva) was for a visit home.

Let's put a face to the name:

1898 Portrait of Légionnaire Henri Bertholet, at Diego Suarez, Madagascar.

I'll post a newspaper article in a little bit that was published in a Montreal newspaper in the '40s with some stories from his service.

Hey Folks,

I wanted to share what I believe is a Legion discharge document. My grandfather was showing me this paper belonging to his grandfather Henri Bertholet, a Swiss (from Geneva) member of the French Foreign Legion from about 1896-1901. He served in Algeria and Madagascar.

From what I can glean from this document he served in the 2e Régiment étranger and was discharged in August 1901 with nothing but a few francs.

Can anyone provide a better analysis?

A nice group, thamls for sharing. 

Beautiful medals, thanks for sharing. I've always found the Medaglia Al Valore Militare to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing bravery medals.

Here is the citation for Marconi's Silver medal, which took place during the Fourth Battle of the Isonzo:

MARCONI Ulisse, da Magione (Perugia), soldato zappatore fanteria, n. 25771 matricola.

Primo fra tutti, si slanciava all'assalto delle trincee nemiche, trascinando con l'esempio i compagni. Non riuscito l'assalto, si porta sotto un fuoco micidiale di mitragliatrice e fucileria avversarie, per ben sei volte, fuori delle nostre trincee, a raccogliere i compagni feriti. - Bosco Cappuccio, 10 novembre 1915.

Which can be viewed here: http://decoratialvalormilitare.istitutonastroazzurro.org/docs/e-1915 vol_2/1915 vol_2_00000338.JPG

and here is my attempt at the translation:

Private Ulisse MARCONI, of Magione (province of Perugia), Pioneer Infantry, Regimental No. 25771.

First, by launching himself forward in the assault on enemy trenches, he led others of his company forward by his example. After the assault failed, he left our trenches under deadly machine-gun and rifle fire six times to collect his wounded comrades. Bosco Cappuccio, 10 November 1915.

.

Hmmm the plot thickens.. All good suggestions - thanks Peter and Simon. If it is a reproduction I'm glad I didn't pay much for it. I'll update this thread if I get any new insight.

Matt

https://vgy.me/eWXFIq.jpg

https://vgy.me/89TagA.jpg

https://vgy.me/Hrbr22.jpg

https://vgy.me/zHFMmx.jpg

https://vgy.me/chNztI.jpg

https://vgy.me/Fz5m4D.jpg

Hmm not sure why that is. Here are the direct links to the images:

https://vgy.me/9dJ6kl.jpg (front)

https://vgy.me/O7oNqS.jpg (rear)

https://vgy.me/IhQOtX.jpg (scale)

I haven't seen cap badges or similar insignia that actually saythe word "police" on it...

Hi Folks,

Can someone help me identify the insignia below? It looks to be a WW1-era Canadian Military Police insignia but I haven't seen any like it nor is there anything like it on the Canadian Military Police museum website. There is no maker's mark and the back looks unusual with no lugs - any thoughts on what it would attach to?

Thanks for posting the video. I like the drum fanfare. Always been more partial to Pipe Bands though   I regret not seeing the Quebec Military Tattoo before it ended.

I've recently acquired two Italian Army (Regio Esercito) shooting competitions from the Kingdom of Italy period. I can infer some knowledge from the medals alone but can anyone help me pinpoint when they were issued? Also, are the ribbons correct? Can anyone tell me more about these?

Italian Army Shooting Competition Medal for Officers in Bronze, King Umberto I issue (1878-1900).

Obverse: Umberto I Re d'Italia (Umberto I, King of Italy). Speranza was the firm which acted as Royal Mint from 1870-1903

Reverse: Esercito Italiano (Italian Army) Gara di Tiro Fra Ufficiali (Shooting Competition for Officers)

The design is a target with crossed rifles surrounded by a wreath of oak and olive and surmounted by the Savoy Eagle.

Italian Army Shooting Competition Medal for Junior Ranks in Silver, King Vittorio Emmanuele III issue (1900-1946).

Obverse: Vittorio Emmanuele III Re D'Italia (Vittorio Emmanuele III, King of Italy). The mark of the Zecca Regno or Royal Mint can be seen at bottom.

Reverse: Gare fra Caporali e Soldati (Competition for Corporals and Privates)

The design is a target with crossed rifles surrounded by a wreath of oak and olive and surmounted by the Savoy Eagle.

That's because you can't argue with a good system! I've always found it to be interesting the melding of local cultures and the british military system of the different imperial and commonwealth units, be it uniforms, customs, traditions, etc. 

I'll have to scan that La Liberté Que Nous Défendons (The Freedom which we Defend) magazine. It's an interesting look at the Empire at the time, and of course written in one of the Empire's more obscure languages - French.

Thanks Frank, I'll be sure to do that - would love to have a photo in uniform.

Cheers

Matt

Thanks Peter,

I've located them on there, I was just fishing to see if I could save $12, I'll save it for a rainy day!

Peter, a great story as always.

Frank, glad you like it. Sadly, I've only seen the Citadel from outside when I was a boy. I went back to Quebec City a few years ago for Carnaval but I spent most of the time drinking Caribou out of a hollow cane... My plan is to go back in the summer time in a couple years and take my family to the Changing of the Guard and then checking out the museum. I hope I get to see Batisse!

P.S. does anyone know what organizations these lapel pins belong to? They were also in with Robert's things.