Mervyn Mitton

Overside - welcome to GMIC. Hopefully one of our members interested in research will be able assist you. Mervyn

Cat - when I left the Met. after 7 years service, I was not eligible for a pension - that requires 25 or, 30 years service. If I remember rightly my years of service that had contributed towards a pension were put together and returned to me. I think they called this a 'gratuity' - but could be wrong. With such a short service I doubt if it was very much. Mervyn

When I served at Bethnal Green, we had several markets. It was common to see members of the public going through boxes of old teeth until they found a set that fitted - and trying them on to look in the mirror..................... Mervyn Nice to see this family link.

The gold will be 9ct - and with the high prices you have found a nice item. Mervyn

Thank you Jean-Paul - these items of news are always interesting - yet, so often overlooked. With the publicity from this find, it would be good if the other two missing medals were found. Mervyn

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This shows the trousseau of knife and fork which are traditionally set into the scabbard of dirks. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/post-6209-0-61996100-1377264190.jpgclick

Anything to do with the Househould Brigade is a sought after collectable - and this Dirk for the Scots Guards will certainly have a following. I presume it is worn by the Pipers and it is a Department of Defense issue with the date 1983 stamped on the blade. The workmanship is of a good standard - with wooden grip and the inset pins - this of course reflects the State Occasions it would be worn-on. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/post-6209-0-22096800-1377264070.jpgclick

Really shocking Craig. Apart from the odd driving offence - how can a convicted police officer be allowed to serve ?

jf - some wonderful detail - adds so much to the caps. Would you like post 3 deleted ? Mervyn

George - welcome to GMIC - I hope you are succesful for a 17th Lancers - I sold mine a while ago. Mervyn

Paddywhack - some really good bars, and some excellent awards. I think that you probably have members scrambling through the record books to find answers - I hope they are succesful. Mervyn

My ambition - when I was younger - was to own an early 1930's open tourer. I went off the idea when I found out how difficult, and expensive it is, to keep these old vehicles going. You really need to be a mechanic in your own right.

The all ceased existance when the Govt. changed. However, during their time all of the 'Bantustans' - as they were called, set-up elaborate sets of medals and insignia. Now they are just collectors items - and few have much value. This one seems to be a new idea from the King - remember, prior to their finding out about European Royalty , the title for a Chief who was over other chiefs was a Paramount Chief. Mervyn

I am sorry to tell you that this is all a load of nonsense. The Venda are a Tribe - not a Country - and along with dozens of other tribes have a King. Under the last Govt. a number of selected areas were given the status of 'independent territories' - however, no-one recognised them and they fell away in 1994 when the ANC became the legal Govt.of ALL of South Africa. I suspect that in this case he is following the lead of the Zulu King Goodwill. He felt a bit left out and created his own medals. Each has an identical ribbon and the face of each has a previous king's profile. They have no bearing on the established Medals and Orders which can only be awarded by the Govt.. The Venda people live in the North Eastern part of the Country - Limpopo Province. There has been a lot of anti-Govt. feeling and Zuma's acceptance is probably political. Mervyn

I have split this post into two parts of 7 pictures each. The last time I tried to post I reached 13 - pressed the wrong button and wiped everything - my language was quite 'bad'...... The Thames River Police were one of the earliest Forces set-up in London - in the 1790's. Their main purpose was to protect the West India Docks - which were constantly having attacks on the different ships valuable cargoes. Today they patrol all of the Thames area. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-02985900-1376834923.jpgclick Another view of the Communications Room - remeber that all air traffic had to go through this room. I don't suppose it has changed much in the setting - just the modern equipment. I think it would be good if someone had access to a picture of the room now ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-44379500-1376835057.jpgclick Dogs and their Handlers play a very important role in modern policing. You will see that they still wore helmets. Craig will hopefully, tell us a little more on the changes. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-53927000-1376835309.jpgclick The crew for the high speed area cars, was a driver and wireless operator , plus for certain times a plain clothes officer in the back to follow suspects on foot. I was actually trained as an operator for the radio - not easy trying to call a chase to the ops. room while doing 80mph in traffic. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-83737800-1376835502.jpgclick The Metropolitan Police have a really wide choice of sports available - and my old Relief had two members of our 1st Rugby Team http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-99785700-1376835764.jpgclick Conditions of service in 1967 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-27573900-1376835951.jpgclick Some little time ago we had a discussion about H.M. Chief Inspectors of Constabulary. This picture shows an Inspector - in uniform - making a County Force inspection http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-11583700-1376836074.jpgclick I hope you have found these 50 year old memories of some interest - I think they have come to a natural conclusion and whilst I could continue the wise author knows when his audience is 'flagging'.Thankyou for reading

Sorry for the short delay - I have decided to retire and closing South Africa's top Collectors' Shop (Militaria, silver, porcelain, prints etc) has been a major undertaking after 24 years in the shop. Nearly finished and then things will - hopefully - get back into a routine. We have talked in these past few blogs about my time in the Metropolitan Police - a period in my life that I greatly enjoyed. I am often asked by people about what would be a good career for their children - dependent on the child, if he/she is of a confident nature - then I always say that a job as a Police Officer is both a challenge and a satisfying way to spend your working life. There are many dangers - however, you have the companionship and friendship of your fellow Police, and there are many different careers within the police that you can apply for. Not everyone in this World has to be a high flyer - many of my friends were quite happy to remain as uniformed constables. They enjoyed the inter-action with the public and the salary allows a good standard of living. The choice is up to the individual to pick the Branch they wish to serve in - and to take the exams if they want promotion. So, having given my short recruiting speech, I must remind you that I joined 46 years ago - and the Policing of those days was quite different then today. Not in a bad way - just that things are more technical today. One example would be the new pullover daily uniform. I hated it when I first saw pictures - now , I realise it is part of the modern way people dress and probably more functional then the heavy tunic. Daily life has changed and evolved and a modern Police Force has to do the same. Friends I am still in contact with after all these years always say - 'Mervyn, you would hate it today - so much paperwork and so many petty regulations." I possibly would - we had a lot of freedom and discretion in those days to do our job. However, change is inevitable and most Countries today have pressures that didn't exist fifty years ago. I came across a recruiting book that I was given when I first applied - so , probably printed 50 years ago. I am going to show some of the pictures - just to remind you of times past. Dress of the Day - 'A' Division - in front of Houses of Parliament http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-05908300-1376832855.jpgclick Point Duty was quite common in those days. The white sleeves buttoned to the tunic. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-11533300-1376833058.jpgclick I talked about how at Hendon they staged classes to look the 'real' thing. This is such a class. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-64055100-1376833279.jpgclick Assisting the Public is a big part of a Civilian Police Force. Note his Duty Arm Band http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-19768600-1376833554.jpgclick The light m/cycle on the left is the Velocette air cooled Beat Patrol Bike. The main use was for delivering messages and attending to routine calls - however, they made many arrests. The m/cycle on the right is a patrol one for Traffic Division. Note the different headgear. The Velocette driver wore a standard helmet with extra re-inforcement. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-81584500-1376833727.jpgclick Mounted Branch - taken into the Met. in 1839 from the old Horse Patrol. The horses are/were magnificent - but for the rider 4 out of each 8 hour shift was preparing them. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-87008300-1376834019.jpgclick This is one of the stations at the communications room at Scotland Yard. This was what I meant by technology advancing. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2013/blogentry-6209-0-26746900-1376834259.jpgclick

Hoyden - I agree with you, a lovely example. Gives a real impression of strength , yet is graceful. Mike - I sometimes watch a strange TV programme that is on one of our channels - it is called American Pickers - and they travel around the US buying old things to restore and sell. This week they were taken to an enormous Barn - it, and several other large buildings were packed with old vehicles that had not been touched for some 20 years. They weren't in good condition, well, some were. I wonder if this as the same source as your post ? Mervyn

TJ - your tipstaff is a nice example of a Georgian tipstaff - prob. from the style around 1800. As Brian says it was usual with the hollow Crown to have cloth as an in-fill - however, this actually has a purpose. The cloth represents the 'Cap of Maintenance' which a Sovereign used to wear on Court occasions that did not call for the Crown. The purpose was to show his responsibility for the safety of His people. I have never seen a green inset - the correct colour is a purple/red - and in addition they used purpel/deep blue. Worcester Police wore green uniforms for a period - I think in the 1870's , but this wouldn't affect a tipstaff. I don't think Ireland has anything to do with the green - prior to 1922 they were British and the rules regarding the Crown would be the same. I suspect that the colour of the cloth has deteriorated in the dye to show this off green colour - the alternative is from a collection where he used to green to show his pieces. Ed has made some good points on tipstaves and I have noticed both Canadian and US Forces have started to make and present them to senior officials. They go back much further then the th 15th. Century - probably well over 1000 years, although their shape would be different - bigger, more like a quarter staff. They do, directly represent Royal Authority and were carried by a variety of people - from Constables to High Constables, Sherrifs, Magistrates, Judges etc. - plus Mayors and city officials - in fact anyone who needed to show their authority. Warrant cards or, ID"s only came-in during the 1880's. Defying the authority of a person entitled to carry a tipstaff could earn 7 years transportation. They were sometimes used to carry a Warrant inside the staff - but, in fact this was fairly rare. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the greenish colour ? Mervyn