Mervyn Mitton

During the approach to the start of World War 1 in 1914 there was great activity to 'educate' the British public - most of them had no idea of the politics - or, for that matter - where our opponents were in relation to Great Britain. Many papers printed supplements showing maps of Europe - our Overseas possessions and in many cases , flags of the allied nations. This example is one of the best I have seen from that period and shows names from Countries which have been totally forgotten today. Printed on linen it is 29 inches wide ( 74 cms.) and 23 inches deep (64cm) - a little large for a tea cloth, so I suspect it was intendced to hang on a wall for inspection. Could be pre 1914 - or, just at the beginning. A very interesting item and worth printing for reference on old flags. The study of flags is called 'Vexiology' and a collector - a 'vexiologist'. Surprisingly, it is a big collecting field. Do we have any members within GMIC who have an interest in flags ? I will show the complete cloth and then each quarter - hopefully it will be legible.

Surrey - Suffolk - Sheffield etc. - the 'C' standing for Constabulary - not Constable. SC on early painted truncheons stood for an emergency, locally appointed constable to help the Parish Constable - or, the local Town Force. Vickers, it is nice to have another point of view - all adds to the general picture. However, I'm wondering if you have ever seen a copy of my book - I show lots of pictures of Special Constabulary truncheons and trace their origins ?

As Vickers mentions the City had their own rules for dress. The Met. always wore the duty band on the left arm. Brassards were made to be worn on the upper arm for visibility - the arm band was not - I think - but open to correction - worn by Specials at this time. They actually were not issued a uniform. The Met. wear the whistle with the hook in the top button hole and the whistle goes into the special small pocket under the second button of the greatcoat and for the tunic, into the top left pocket.

Tony - does the sh. title read 'Australia' ? I can't quite make it out. Have never seen much on the Flying Corps for Aussie - wouldn't he have had a separate type ? The Sth. African air force in WW1 was under British names. (I want to send a picture of an old watch - nothing to do with this thread, but I know you collect and might find it of interest. Not trying to sell - more research yet. I don't think we can attach pictures on an IM ? So, please send me your email)

Congratulations ! Not a project lightly under-taken and your research can only benefit collectors. I am looking forward to seeing a copy. Mervyn

Amazing items - I always wonder where it all comes from. Beats my mail - I just get bills...

Simon - I thought I had read from Brian's notes that the badge had come from Stirling - hence my agreement. I see now that it was a suggestion and I agree with you that it could be a number of possibilities. I still think the S.C. will be for a Force.

I have never seen one of these badges with both fittings - thank-you Ian. Do you have one - would be interesting to see how they fit both on the small back ?

Great items - I for one am looking forward to seeing more of your collection. Please give a few more details on Tientsin enclave - I could find very little info. Mervyn

Khorgor - I know nothing about Peruvian medals - Police or, otherwise. The point I would make to you is this - if you like them - and they are within your budget - buy them. $120 is roughly £ 80 - that doesn't seem excessive for a set of five. Obviously ask the dealer if he will refund if they are not genuine - that is normal business practise - however, these days there are a lot of people chasing items and if you hesitate you will probably lose them. The decision always has to be yours, but bear in mind the demand in the market.

Brian - this is a lovely old photo - I will photograph the Jubilee medal for comparison. What does surprise me is the duty arm band being worn on the upper arm . From the inception of the band in 1829 it has always been worn on the lower left arm - did they move it 'up' for the photograph ? The badge on his cap cannot be the same as the one you show (unless yours has lugs) - they were made with a lapel attachment for wear in civilian dress. Raises some interesting questions... I missed your question on if it is possible he could be an old regular , brought back for War`Service. I think you are probably 'spot-on'with this observation. They wore civvies, so rather like 'Dad's Army' in 1940 - you wore what you had from the past. This would account for the tunic, the cap and, very importanly, the armband.

Brian - a nice addition to the collection. I know the Met. had the Velocette - our beat P.C.'s did a short conversion course and they were used for that purpose - station area patrols. I have never seen a complete list for the Forces that adopted this small m/cycle - perhaps members can add some ?

They wouldn't put Special Constable and the initials SC - so, Stirling.

There is a reply to your same query under British Police.

Hi - Brian. The one thing I have learnt on this Forum is that anything and everything with a military background is collected. Some people collect medals - as you do - but as you have shown here, there is also great satisfaction in collecting and restoring less glamorous equipment. So quickly do items become obsolete that if you showed a modern-day radio operator this set, he would be lost. Congratulations on taking the time and trouble to restore a great old item. (wish I came under that category...)

Hi - you've done it again! The rarity of the pieces you are showing cannot be stressed too much - we are very grateful for the opportunity to see them. The cap badge for Tientsin - yes, I have heard of them - don't recall seeing their badge before and I lived in the Far East for 3 1/2 years. I Googled them and there are just two small entries - please let us know a little more about them - when were they founded ? I expect they disappeared after the Japanese took over ? The Crown on the badge is an early form for Queen Victoria - even for King William 4th. (1830-37) - it will all depend when the Force was set-up in the Settlement. The other lovely badge is the Helmet Plate for the Shanghai Municipal Police - have you seen other examples for this size ? With regard to the China Medal for 1900 - no, I have never seen one for sale. Hopefully Will Endley will pick-up on this when he returns to work - he is the expert on Sth. African military of this period. We had a lot of Chinese living in Sth. Africa at the turn of the 20th. Century and maybe this Regt's men were brought over to Police the Chinese community ? They would not have been allowed to deal with the European population at that time. This is interesting and I hope other members will be able to help - and to comment. Finally - a subject dear to my heart - money..... I obviously was guesstimating with prices for Shanghai - but, even I was surprised at how much the Boat badge brought. I take your point about the shoulder title, but even so, it shows what serious collectors' are prepared to pay for any rare item - they are an investment. I don't think I'm supposed to talk about selling things on the Forum - we have a special section. However, if you don't tell, then I will keep quiet as well. I would accept £700 for the badge - which is in excellent condition. Once again - thankyou for livening-up this section. Do give a few more details about the different Territories. Best wishes Mervyn

Hello - Shanghai Girl. I hope you have a Good collecting year in 2010. Please give us a 'shorter' name to call you by ? Your additions to our small band of Police Collectors are greatly appreciated - so good to have such rare items added. I had heard of this small Force, but can't remember seeing one of their badges. Could you perhaps add a little more detail to their history - all of these Colonial units are quite hard to research and , you of course, have already done thhe work ...

David - sorry, I'm afraid it's not something I have - perhaps another member may have access - however, it must be a rare item. You could try posting under British Medals. Do you have the original GM - many of them from WW2 had a Police connection - please post under both sub-forums if you do ? Mervyn

Hello - Ragnar. Nice to hear from you and thankyou for showing this interesting helmet. You know already that this pattern of helmet plate has a Crown that could be for Edward the 7th. or, for both George 5th and 6th. This is a span from 1901 to 1952. The Malta Police - to the best of my recollection - still wear a sun hat . They have a a small museum within their HQ - they are very helpful and I suggest you write to them to get further information. Try this address . MALTA POLICE, MAIN STATION HEADQUARTERS, VALETTA, MALTA. Send the photos. Let us know how you get on with this enquiry ?

Brian and Ian - Hi. Keep an open mind on this - patterns of badges and plates depend on the Chief Constable and his Watch Committee - with guidelines from the Home Office. However, enamelling on helmet plates is quite recent - last 20 or, 30 years. Prior to this most plates were chromed with the Royal Cypher in the centre. My first helmet in 1967 was exactly like that - except in the Met. the E11R could be changed for a new Monarch - but then the Met. were always mean. I was still wearing that pattern when I left at the end of 1974. Perhaps Ian could check with a local Force Museum to see what records they have. Personally, until proof otherwise, I would say this was an issue pattern.

Paul - did this come from the same source as the other bars ? Stitching looks very similar ?

Sorry to say it , Paul - but, the combinations are very far fetched. For your sake I hope I'm wrong, but with so many gallantry ribbons, if I were shown this in the shop , I would be thinking something made-up for a collection. With the CB it would have been as an officer - but, the uniform material does not look to be officer's quality ? I hope someone can find a match for the man.