Mervyn Mitton

Hi - Smartie. Welcome to GMIC. We have quite a lot on Rhodesian

Police on different sections of the British Forums - all together near

the top. This section is wrong for you and will get few replies.

Re-post under Research, on the Brit. Forum Mervyn

Well done Brian - another worthwhile blog, which can only be of benefit to

our newer and younger members.

When I was running the Soc. for the Pres. of Militaria in Durban, it quickly

became apparent that out of 500 members quite a few practised the 'numbers'

game. This is where you try to have more items in a particular field then

other collectors. They were buying in order to keep saying - 'look at my new

sword'. However, the research was not there and they waited for more

experienced members to tell them what thay had bought.

We have this - to a lesser degree - within the Forum. Many members have

bought or, are planning to, and use our expertise as a guide. I have no

problem with this as many members like research.

Anyway - well done - a good and informative article. Mervyn

Caz - I think you may get more response if you re-post on the Lounge.

I would also suggest that you IM Will Endley - he may be of great help to you.

Let me know if you need any assistance. Mervyn

Brian - I think you speak for all of us, with these words of congratulation.

Few clubs,societies or, other groups, will run succesfully without some

structure of discipline and rules of conduct. You point out - very rightly -

that GMIC members mainly do this on their own, and only rarely with Mods.

intervention. Mervyn

Your Amish background is showing - that is if they like drawers as much as you do ?

One question - how do you remember where you've put what - and in which drawer.............

Good article - as always - but does leave a few questions ? Mervyn

A very profound article - and one that makes you think a little more deeply

into the many collections of ephemera that collectors accumulate.

However, it also shows that our interest in Militaria can help to preserve the past - and as you show - are often the only memory off a man's life and

service. Well done. Mervyn

Rohitbalak - no problem - welcome to GMIC. Which Country do you live-in ?

The information sounded as if it could be of interest to our members. Add

whatever you think will be of interest - and tell us about your interests ?

Mervyn

Rohitbalak - I am not sure from your post if you are commenting generally,

or , offering a planning tool from the firm - Rolta ?

This Blog section would not be the place for a sales talk - however, your

subject matter could be of great interest if expanded to cover the various points you mention. Please give this your consideration. Mervyn

What does 'Fuss' mean . Mervyn

With so much knowledge to hand, this sounds a very good project. Also,

as you point out, there will be a number of possible articles to be written.

Simpleton - a strange way to address someone.....

I am not sure that this was the right place for this enquiry. I would suggest

that you re-post under our British sections - possibly Badges and equipment.

Should you be able to post a picture , that would help get attention - also,

for those of us not familiar with the award - give us some background.

Let me know if I can of any further help. Mervyn

Interesting story - with a warning to all auction bidders. Some people are

just so unscrupulous.

In the UK it is a serious offence to create a 'ring' in order to purchase an

auction item below it's value. Mainly it is dealers' who do this - they

nominate one of the group to bid - the others holding back to keep the price down. Afterwards, they hold a small auction amongst themselves in the

car park to see who is the new owner. We used to keep an eye on these

groups and if money was seen to change hands they would be arrested.

Hi - Brian. I had overlooked this post myself. However,I think it sad

that only 40 members have taken the trouble to even read this. Theirs

is the loss as you raise some interesting thoughts.

I hope you are keeping to your new timetable ? Mervyn

Brian - very humerous - however ,I choose that believe that every word is true ! I know that you spelt it this way deliberately - however, I shall

wake screaming in the night thinking of you marching on the castle in

company with a flock of pheasants ............

Now peasants - bows, arrows and shotguns were invented for their benefit.

I wish you every luck at the gun fair - and in your assault on the castle -

more likely the Town Hall in Canada. Mervyn

Well written Brian - and a frightening list of what awaits on other Forums...........

The old expression come to mind - " Manners maketh Man "

My personal congratulations to all of the winners.

I will take note for next sure and will include that all entries have to be fresh to GMIC.

Please remember that the first five in each category receive a prize - First and Second

have a plaque - 3, 4 , and 5 receive a Cerificate of Merit.

WILL MEMBERS WHO HAVE WON PLEASE IM ME THEIR POSTAL NAMES AND ADDRESSES.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOUR JUDGES.

***PETER - PLEASE PUBLISH THE FULL LIST OF FIVE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY.

Mervyn

Brian - the continuation of this series was long overdue. I had missed it with the sad news

concerning Rick.

I do agree with you - add to any individual item and you add to both it's history - and, it's value.

I shall look forward to future posts. Mervyn

Chris - the Foreign Legion are noted for their brutality - very unlike a disciplined Force such as the

Metropolitan Police.......................

Thank you for your comments, Dave. Policing is a job full of surprises - and often can be dangerous.

I don't think this has altered in any way over the years. What does seem to have changed is that the

Police Officers have more paperwork and regulations. During my time we were expected to make

decisions for ourselves and were given discretion to act alone - after all, you had to be able to justify

your actions to a magistrate or,judge.

The only reason I have continued with the Blog , is that someone pointed out that it is a Social

History from nearly 50 years ago. I don't want it to become boring, so will probably let it finish in a few

more episodes. Mervyn

Really Chris ! We are talking about the Met. Police - not the South African Police. They had it pointed

out that their actions could easily have had them arrested. They were in fact only given a Caution.

Thankyou all on both posts, who have replied. I will continue with a few more 'episodes' - at

least until the new section is in place. Mervyn

This was the 'old' East End - believe me, there were plenty around........

Wasn't it the reforming Commissioner in the 1970's - Sir Robert Mark - whose book was

entitled - 'In the Office of Constable' - or, something similar ? That would indicate a power

of arrest.

Thankyou for that info. Craig. I hope potential visitors have seen that it is not open to

the public..

Thankyou for taking the time to give us these explanations. I had thought that Bow Street had been re-built after it was closed. Considering that there has been a Police Station on the site since the

Fielding Brothers had their Court on this site from the 1750's, it would be the ideal place to open

a dedicated Met. Police Museum. Easy for visitors to reach.

I hope Members have noted the address you have given for the building in West Brompton. Thankyou.

Interesting comments. The Chief Constables are appointed by their Watch Committees. Until

recently when some autonomy was passed to the Mayor of London the Metropolitan Police came

directly under the Home Secretary.

The Commissioner wears the rank badges for a full general - as does the Ch.Insp. of Constabulary.

The Dep. Asst. Comm. wears rhe badges that would be for a Lieut. Gen. in the Army*. Therefore, on

a protocol level they will automatically be senior. Also, as Tom points out the Met. have 32,000

serving officers + some 15/20,000 civilian staff. The nearest in size that I can think of is the West

Midlands Force - which is probably less than 5000 ? (* + a second star)

The first Commissioners in 1829 were both appointed as Magistrates - this gave them the authority

to call on other units. The tradition continued and with the Riot Act it was necessary for a Magistrate

to read it publicly in front of the assembly. The Comms. were usually the only ones brave enough.

Both the Comm. and the Dep. Comm. are still sworn-in - unless yet another tradition has been dropped.

With regard to them being Police Officers - having come through the ranks they are most certainly

Police Officers with a power of arrest. They would have attested on joining.

Chief Inspector's of Constabulary ,may now have become a political appointment. My blog is set

when I first joined and the one I saw on a visit wore uniform and the same badges as the Comms.

Mervyn