Mervyn Mitton

Front cover of Vol. 2 of his confidential diary. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-46690500-1352129846.jpgclick

Very strange on such an important group - it has the Special Constabulary long service medal. He must have joined after discharge. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-20969000-1352128342.jpgclick

The Award of an Officer of the British Empire - Military Division - is not an uncommon event. However, when the Award is made to an Officer during World War 2 , then it takes on a greater significance. Lt. Col. J.A. Balfour was in Italy from the time of the surrender in 1944. Being an Engineer he was obviously able to contribute to the necessary re-buiding and in fact he seems to have been an expert on Port re-construction. I was fortunate to acquire not only his medal group and miniatures - but, also his War Diary. This is Volume 2 and starts from when Italy collapsed and the Allies took over. This is not a daily listing of events, but rather a place to secure secret information and hold minutes of official meetings. Additionally, I was able to copy his Award certs. for both his MBE and the OBE. I will show these and also some selected pages from the diary - I think you will find it interesting. The first port he mentions is Piombino - I think in the NE of Italy. From there he went to supervise re-building in the Porta Vecchia - the Port of Rome. His final assignment was the re-buiding of the Port of Genoa. This was very important as the War against Germany continued into 1945 and it was needed to unload supplies. When you look at the names of the various officers who attended the different meetings, he is usually the only one shown with an award. I think this clearly shows how highly regarded his work was . Additional to the main awards , he was also given an MID. Firstly - the Medal Group .........................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-51472700-1352126331.jpgclick.........................................

Why were they issued in the first place. Was it because of assistance during the time of the Czar - or, was it from our help to the White Russians in the campaign that followed his execution ? Mervyn

I had wondered what the man on the right was holding in his hands. I have enlarged that section and it would appear that he is holding a presentation box - possibly medals or, an Order ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-22493500-1352058140.jpgclick

Faintly on the reverse is something about a Chief Inspector. I think the one on the right may be his Father - the girl, his daughter. However, I would only be guessing. Certainly they both have a look of Police about them - probably a Detective Chief Inspector. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-87048000-1352057156.jpgclick

Close-up of him on point duty. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-52413600-1352056963.jpgclick

The younger Constable could well be his son - similar facial features. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-77146100-1352056679.jpgclick

Traffic point duty in Hoxton. The white armlets were attached to a button on the back of the sleeve. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-62976200-1352055845.jpgclick

He was stationed at Sheperdess Walk - which I think was the Div. station at that time. Certainly it is big enough. This is in Hoxton - part of North London and at that time a run down and poor part of London. The first Police officer to be murdered in the Metropolitan Police was in Hoxton in 1829. He was upended into a drain. The area has now been upgraded and is very expensive. I think it is now part of 'N' Division ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-28150600-1352054894.jpgclick

Please note that his helmet has the plate with his number in the centre. These are very collectable. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-29390000-1352054570.jpgclick

Metropolitan Police Constable - J 368 This is a studio portrait - as is the next one http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-02902900-1352054309.jpgclick

This is an enlargement of the above photograph http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-23563400-1352050540.jpgclick

Early photos of the Police are actually quite rare. Usually they are posed in an early studio and their main interest is for the uniform. This set is therefore , quite unique in that the constable is shown going about his daily duties - although some are posed. The ones showing PC J368 has a date on one of them, showing 1934. These will be interesting to Ayedeewar since they show the uniforms in style and being worn. The extremely rare one is the photo of early Metropolitan Police officers wearing the 1860's style uniform and top hat. The letter from an inspector takes the date back to the 1920's - however, for the Met., 1st pattern helmets took over from top hats in the 1860's. I suspect that the original photo was re-photographed. The very interesting thing for me - is that Moylan Police Section House was where I spent my first two years of duty - from 1967. I would never have recognised it from this view. However, my room would have been the one to the left above the front entrance. ** Moylan was Commissioner in the early part of the 20th Century - therefore , if this is the original section house from Victorian days, it would have been under another name. My Station was 'HB' Bethnal Green. Looking at the building again - it was obviously rebuilt. The one I lived-in had three floors. You can see from this picture that it shows younger men - the section houses were for single men and provided a reserve of manpower for emergencies. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-43271200-1352049263.jpgclick

No, I have heard nothing further - the papers seem to have missed it - which is strange, I would have expected a big outcry. Should anyone have any more news please let us know. Mervyn

Owen - if I am correct, the vase that I think is for the woman has two trailing fronds on either side. Whilst for MGU it has ons strand sticking straight out - very phallic. The base of 'his ' vase also has two protrusions - the other ones are rounded. Silly little things - but it was how subtle distinctions were made in those days. The reason I asked about the chain is that this one has a twist in the shape of the link - normally from a later date. One other thought that crossed my mind - the 'caterpillar' and the hare could be supporters from their coats of arms ? I doubt if you will ever know for sure - but, nice to speculate. Mervyn

I don't see why a Regiment of this importance would not have it's own small printing press. A trained typesetter would soon put things together and run off the necessary copies. Makes interesting reading. Mervyn

Owen - at the top of the page - press on the right panel that has your name. This will open a panel and go to settings. This will show you how and where to change your avatar. Brian and I have tried for years to get people to use names - makes it so much more friendly. Mervyn

Have had a little trouble getting this post to hold - maybe it's an anti-Brit. piece ................... Actually, it is an early and beautifully made item - and you are probably correct that it is a wedding gift. The gold initials would indicate this - JAY being the wife. See if you can guess why I say that - you will need to look at both vases of flowers ? I doubt if this would have been a single gift - probably part of a garniture of anything up to ten matching pieces. This piece could have a number of uses - do you think the chain is original ? Perhaps intended for a bedroom - or, as part of a hunting set. This would be ideal for early cartridges. The other thought that occurs - how about a set for travelling in the coach ? I wonder what other members make of it's possible use ? Mervyn

Will - a most interesting item and your story sounds very convincing. I think this is the first time I have ever seen an example. Mervyn

No, I agree with you - and that it is how Col. Dudley Wall describes their belts in his book. Mervyn

Monkey - I think it's time we had a first name for you - you are more then just part of the 'family'. Collecting Christmas cards has been a big field - particularly for the early Victorian period. Regimental are also highly sought after - particularly when there is a story behind them. Mervyn

All that input and it turns out to be for straightening a table - Gee................

Chuck - you will be most welcome to submit the albums as an entry - and in which case you will be able to take pictures out to show. Brett - I wioll ask Nick if he can explain the problem to you. Mervyn

Vulcan - thankyou for that confirmation. Helps to clear a point. What about the BSAP not wearing a stable belt ? Welcome to GMIC - I hope we will see you here regularly. Mervyn