Ross Mather

The two mounted helmets are from the Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil forces. Originally, Merthyr Tydfil was the 'A' Division of Glamorgan Constabulary. In 1908, Merthyr Tydfil was granted County Borough status and as such the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police was formed. Many (but not all) of the Glamorgan Constabulary men transferred over the the newly formed Merthyr force, but a fair percentage remained with the County force, and were posted to other stations. The 'mounted section of Glamorgan Constabulary was formed in about 1898 and continued until the outbreak of WWI. The mounted section was reformed during the 1926 General Strike, but disbanded soon after. Merthyr Tydfil had its own 'Mounted' officers and, for obvious reasons, followed the County Mounted section. Even though the police forces had all their own 'tack', they did not own any horses. These were owned and borrowed from the local 'gentry'. I have read the orders of the day and all uniform that belonged to the 'County' was handed in. There were a number of 'parades' held at stations where the men transferring had to hand all their uniform and kit back into the County force and be issued with new by the Merthyr Borough force. The Neath Borough Police ceased to exist after 1947. It was amalgamated into and became 'N' Division of the Glamorgan Constabulary. The helmet is marked to Police Sgt. no.5 Devereux......who joined Neath Police prior to WW1. To the best of my knowledge this is the only surviving helmet from that very small Welsh Borough force. The Swansea helmet is marked inside (written in ink) to Inspector Evans. Again, I am not aware of any other surviving helmet of that period from Swansea....especially one of a senior officer. If you look at the helmet plate, you will see a wreath shape badge in the centre. That wreath badge was the original helmet plate brought about in the 1880's. However, it was 'enhanced' in the 1890's by the smaller wreath plate being added to a large 8 point starburst backing.....thereby enhancing the look of the badge. In about 1925, Swansea Police changed their helmet plate from the starburst / wreath (as shown), to one of a large 4 inch wide County Borough of Swansea coat of arms as shown below. I have attached photographs of all helmet plate designs used by Swansea County Borough Police. You will also see the two types of collar badges that were worn http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-88881100-1387206889.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-58584200-1387206921.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-37927400-1387206951.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-85177600-1387206967.jpg.

Hello Mervyn, This is the 3rd Dragoons.......and have never done any research other than the pattern in supposed to be from late 19th century. Converted into a dragoon guards regiment as the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards. In 1765 the regiment was named after the Prince of Wales, later to become the Prince Regent and George IV. It fought from 1809 to the end of the Napoleonic Wars in the Peninsula, but then spent all but 22 years of the 1816-99 period on home service. It charged rioters in Bristol in 1831 and was even kept in Ireland during the Crimean War. Two exceptions were its deployments to India from 1857 to 1868 and from 1884 to 1895, whilst a third was the 1868 Abysinnia expedition, where it was the only British cavalry unit to participate. The 3rd Dragoon Guards charging rioters in Queen's Square, Bristol, 31 October 1831 The regiment was deployed to the Boer War from 1901 to 1903, then back to Ireland, England and Egypt. It then deployed to the Western Front of the First World War in October 1914, where it remained for the rest of the war, taking part in the first and second battles of Ypres and the battle of Cambrai. In 1919 the regiment began a two-year deployment to Ireland, then sliding towards civil war. In 1922 the 6th Dragoon Guards merged into the regiment, whilst both units were in India. This was initially known as the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards, but six years after amalgamation took elements of both regiment's names as the 3rd Caribiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards).

Hello again Mervyn. The medals are not connected to the helmet. I do pick up any LSGC medals from officers of my own force....South Wales, so are not researched as such as I know who they were awarded to. Ross

Sorry Mervyn, was just thinking that members may liked to have seen an unusual fire helmet. I have no idea what Fire Brigade it came from, otherwise would have put a lot more information on. I do have another one from Manchester and will add it when I get to take some photos,

Another helmet from my collection

From my collection: South Wales Borderer Regiment - 4th Volunteer Battalion officers blue cloth helmet.

I thought that I might add......this truncheon is available as an exchange or swap for any Welsh truncheon or Welsh police memorabilia..

This tipstaff was purchased by a dealer and is going for double what he paid for it........Ross

Have posted an article on here about a Dorset decorated truncheon that I have.....'Manor of Up Cerne'

Take a look at mycollection on my website www.britishpolicehelmet.co.uk and helmet photos that I have also posted on GMIC website. rOSS

Hello Mervyn. This is the 'Manor' truncheon which I have previously mentioned and am trying to research. The coat of arms I believe is that of the Duke of Marlborough....supported by the fact that there is an old 'Ducal' cap above the shield. Up Cerne is in Dorset and was part of land owned by the descendant family home of the Churchill's, before they were given the land that went on to become their residence at Blenheim Palace. I am currently making enquiries with the Dorset County Archivist. This is the only truncheon I have ever seen for a 'Manor'.This was in amongst some George III and William IV truncheons purchased last year. As I say, before the Churchills moved up the social ladder, they had vast amounts of land in Dorset, including the Manor of Up Cerne. I have a feeling that this truncheon will be from the late 18th / early 19th century. I look forward to your observations.............Ross

This is a quality boxed tipstaff which I purchased last year. Fitted lined oak box. Metal crown with metal 'castle' type motif on both sides of the tipstaff. Different shades of wood on opposite sides. If you study the 'castle' it is unusual in that it has steps at the bottom of each turret.....the obvious such as Exeter...have been ruled out. Any ideas Mervyn?....or any members who can give me any information please.

Thanks Brian.....Have to admit that I was a little unsure where to post it, but thought that members may like to see it.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-50210100-1386967858.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-43131600-1386967886.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-72744800-1386967936.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-01685000-1386967968.jpg A few my more rare police helmets from Wales. Mounted officers plumed helmets of the Glamorgan Constabulary and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police - both about 1910 -1915 A very rare Neath Borough Police helmet...... 1930 Victorian period senior officers helmet Swansea County Borough Police....about 1895 Best wishes.............Ross

Found a photo of the boxed tipstaff Mervyn. I need to take a few more for you to get help in identifying its origin. The metal castle type motif is replicated on the opposite side. I have searched trying to identify the castle scene.....but its quite unusual....and the obvious ones such as Exeter etc ....have been discounted. Will post more photos when I get my camera out tomorrow. Ross

A fire helmet in my collection - A British Fire Chief's helmet, I believe from about the 1920's

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-01016500-1386966684.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-87865800-1386966713.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-82675800-1386966733.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-6668-0-00817200-1386966759.jpg Some more for your information Mervyn. Need to photgraph the boxed one and will post tomorrow. Best wishes.........Ross

Hi Mervyn, Have this photo uploaded on my computer of some unidentified tipstaffs of mine. Any information would be most welcome.The one with large bulbous top has the lettering VR and underneath that L P C. I have one in fitted lined oak box which I will photograph and post soon. Ross

Seen this for sale on Ebay. Its listed as Glamorgan Police. I believe it to be Glamorgan Yeomanry or Militia. The Glamorgan dragon motif was not introduced by Glamorgan Constabulary until 1904. The advertised badge central dragon / scroll motif is different in size to an authentic early post 1904 Glamorgan Constabulary badge, plus the dragon motif and Queen Victoria crown would never have been on the same badge. Any comments or views please?

Thank you Mervyn. I will post some more photographs. Welsh memorabilia is so difficult to find....as you know only too well. It has been suggested several times that I do a book.....and would love to do one specialising in my old force of Glamorgan. One day maybe....I certainly have more than enough material to work with. I would still be interested in anything that you may have from Wales.....but would think that the Swansea truncheon which II purchased was probably one of the last. Helmets....yes, still very much interested in anything from 19th century / early 20th. I will take a look and see if I can give any information on the maces. Best wishes............Ross

Hello Mervyn. The Newport Harbour Commission truncheon and the Canal truncheon were purchased several years ago from an elderly chap in Monmouthshire. Thet had originally been in the family of a former employee of Newport Docks. The two were together and he informed me that they have been together as a pair for many years, as a result of many amalgamations of the canal companies / railway companies / dock companies.....the truncheons became obsolete and disused. I cannot give 100% authenticity to the Canal one being from the Abergavenny and Mon Canal, but the amalgamations would have involved that canal and the Newport Harbour (Docks). No reason to dispute item being historically connected as I was told. Canal truncheons being so rare, I have no reason to believe it came from anywhere else. The Taff Vale Railway (TVR) was a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway. It was as much a passenger railway as it was fireght / coal. Much of the TVR is still used for freight and passenger services. The South Wales Railway Company (SWR) only existed between 1845 - 1862....so in my mind is by far rarer than the TVR truncheons. I am still collecting truncheons, but tend to just look for anything Welsh......not easy to find as you will know. I do have a couple of tipstaffs of which I will post photographs. I would greatly value your expert opinion on them. Best wishes..............Ross

Thank you both. Have noted your comments on where the posts should be.....thats down to me not looking properly in the first place! Burnley became part of Lancashire Police Mervyn. I agree with you that the helmets have more of a military look to them. The one with chrome badge has no other holes and has the badge fitted in its original position. I hope that I am able to close a deal on them. Thanks both.............Ross,

Some decorated police truncheons in my collection. The first orange coloured one, is Newport Harbour Commission. The second - Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal. Third and fourth photos.......two Taff Vale Railway Police truncheons....number 5 and number 6 and in between those two.....a South Wales Railway Police truncheon.

Good morning everyone. I have been offered these two helmets which have Burnley helmet plates. Can anyone tell me anything about the history of these helmets within the Burnley Police. Are they Band helmets? Summer issue helmets? Did Burnley actually use white helmets at any point in time? Thank you.....any definite information would be gratefully received. Ross

In the winter of 1970 the South African Springboks rugby team toured the UK. There were large scale demonstrations.....and this is a photograph...with me in the centre.....where 1,000 demonstrators tried to gain unlawful entry into St. Helens Rugby ground, Swansea in an attempt to disrupt or cause abandonment of the Swansea RFC v Springboks rugby match. The match went ahead....with some minor disruption inside the ground....However, outside the ground was a totally different matter. For about 2 and 1/2 hours there was a running battle between police and demonstrators.....leaving many police and demonstrators injured and several dozen arrests. I remember the day well!!!