Mervyn Mitton

Hi Shams - hope you are well. We need one of our members who specialises in the Guards to answer this one. Any takers ? Mervyn

Samantha - nice to see some new info. on this subject - and as Hugh says - welcome to GMIC. I hope this will encourage other members to contribute anything that they know. Mervyn

Dave - welcome to GMIC. There are specialist researchers and it could save you time to commission help from one of them. Mervyn

Leigh - a very interesting article on a subject that is often overlooked. Mervyn

So much history and background from one War Medal. A very interesting story. Mervyn

Tony - check Nick's notes on up-loading at the top of the pages - if they don't solve problem contact him direct. Mervyn

Jock - being German, I don't have much to help with on this sign. Early British Fire Insurance Companies maintained their own engines and men - when a fire was reported all of these Companies would respond - however, only the engine that saw an enamel sign giving the number of their Company, would actually do anything. The rest would just leave. Some of the British ones are quite valuable and are very collectable. Mervyn

Tony - your picture did not come out. Mervyn

Can any ,member help Odulf ? Mervyn

These are obviously of known characters from the two Regiments - The Honourable Artillery Company and the London Scottish. They may well have been part of a limited series - although these are the first I have seen. The more usual single caricatures were from the magazine Vanity Fair - which can be quite valuable. Perhaps one of our members will be able to give us some more info.. Mervyn

Chris - certain Forces - Britain for one, use defensive weaponry only. Troops can only be used if the Govt. and the Police agree. However, it is a different case with many overseas Police Forces where heavy weaponry is deployed immediately - and is used. You keep confusing SWAT - or immediate response armed units - as being quite separate. Riot Police are similar in equipment and training - perhaps just trained to a higher degree in working together. At the end of the day a Force can only have so many men trained in dealing with a riot. What actually happens is that the basic man power is called-up - and fitted out with the special equipment kept in bulk. The front-liners will be those who have had training in working together. Personally I take Leigh's comments as having a lot of sense. He and I were of a similar period and would be sent out to deal - on our own - with incidents that today are dealt with out of all proportion. The support of the public - and remember in Britain that we are a civilian police force - is very important. I agree that times have changed and that violence is more widespread - however, a uniformed PC brings a sense of measured order that most people respond to. Mervyn

Dante - the 1st WW was so vast in area and Countries that aspects are often overlooked. I think that this award to an Mi5 operative in Italy comes under that category. Mervyn

Mike - a superb group to a gallant officer. Your detailed history of the awards greatly increases their interest. Mervyn

Thankyou everyone for commenting and adding to this post. Chris, I have to disagree with you on the naming - SWAT teams are a modern invention in order to meet force with force. I think they started with US Forces but have been copied by many other countries. They are nothing spectacular - a heavily armed squad , usually with an armoured vehicle. Ideal for coping with violent local incidents. Riot Squads are a different matter - they are intended to deal with substantial outbreaks of violence and where large numbers of people are involved. By their very nature a full scale riot can do great damage and involve injury and death to many people. Britain introduced the first Riot Act in the 18th Century and it was necessary for a local magistrate to read-it in front of the crowd. From that point any force could be used - including troops opening fire. The big problem was always to find a magistrate brave enough to stand in public. For this reason the first two Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police - and succeeding ones - were given the powers of a magistrate just to read the Act. The pictures that I am showing are interesting in the defensive clothing and armament that is in use. Bear in mind that these are units based at different HQ's - they are capable of being used in unit strength for SWAT ops. - but, can combine quickly for much greater numbers in the event of a full riot. Additional to the modern clothing and equipment I have found members' pictures from the past also to be of interest. I hope others will continue to be posted. I have about 8 in the original series still to post. Mervyn

8 MAN BOSNIAN RIOT UNIT - WITH VEHICLES

PHILLIPINES - RIOT SQUAD

BELGIUM RIOT UNIT WITH SUV FOR TRANSPORT

Dante - another rare group of some historical importance. Well done. Mervyn

Mickey - it's always good when members can join in on posts - and you have done us proud. What are the red scarfs on the front of the NZ uniform ? The earlier NZ ones were more like we were in the 70's - very little to protect us and we only had the short baton. Douglas , from Brasil, has already posted some pictures we didn't have - so, we must hope other members will join-in. I still have a number to add - but with my hands it takes time. Best wishes Mervyn ps. I think I still support the ones with bayonets.............

I was recently reading an article on developments in Libya. From reports coming-in , it would seem that the various insurgent forces are deliberately defacing and breaking down the various graves and monuments erected in cemetaries around this part of North Africa - mostly from the Battles of WW2. Each Country tends to look after it's own graves - with British ones coming under the War Graves Commission. I wonder if any pressure can be brought to bear on these savages ? Mervyn

Dante - a fascinating biography and despite his later problems he was undoubtedly a brave and resourceful officer. Sometimes it is quite apparent that some people are more suited to leading a military life. Thankyou for the research. Mervyn

Graham - amazing how over the years you have managed to keep finding such rare and unique items. I am sure Leigh will be pleased to see them and meanwhile please accept our thanks from GMIC. I hope you are keeping well ? Mervyn

AFGHANISTAN - POLICE IN RIOT GEAR.

UNIT OF THE VENEZUELA RIOT POLICE

NEW YORK POLICE ON CROWD CONTROL