Craig

An 1887 jubilee and Bar with an Edward VII Coronation. Both to P.C J Lynch the 1887 on L district and the Edward VII on W

Mervyn, I have some time off and am trying desperately to learn computer skills. I have a few bits and bobs from other countries that I am attempting to get posted but Im afraid I am a bit of a luddite. There is also the problem that doing the job we do we don't really like to broadcast the fact but be assured we are friends here. I personally would love to see more American patches etc ( might get some trades going ) and I would love to see some French Gendarmie stuff. Come on folks lets get posting Craig

Mervyn, We have to wear what the Dog Section would call Training blues. A horrible dark blue shirt and trousers. It comes about from when we are employed on Firearm operations and wear the same as our armed collegues. I guess it makes us less of a target. It does have the benefit of not showing up the mud when we have been searching the usual dumps where our little miscreants tend to hide. Craig

The black dog on the left is my retired bitch "Megan" nearly died on Xmas day but pulled through in the end. Thank God she was insured £1,800. Dog on the right is called "Fagan" and is due for retirement this year. Both are German Shepherds. It was a very nice day espically as the other handler is an ex booty!

Myself and a collegue in front of the Guards Memorial prior to The Royal Marines "Beating the Retreat". We don't look as smart nowadays!

Ed, Great photos. The one with the Commisioner and the Horse training were taken at Imber Court,Thames Ditton Surrey, very near to Hampton Court Palace. The Met still have the Mounted Branch Training facilities there. The photo of the woman officer I think was taken at Regency Street,Victoria,SW1. This was a training facility now since sold. The photo of the Dog Handler was taken at Keston,Kent. The Dog section training unit is still based here but is much changed. It opened in 1953 just in time for the publication of your book. John Reginald Christie. If you have never seen it watch the movie "10 Rillington Place" starring Richard Attenborough and John Hurt. Actually filmed in Rillington Place where Christie commited his murders prior to it being knocked down. A truely chilling movie. Craig

Mervyn, Fabulous uniform. With the lack of any Met museum probaly the only time you will see a uniform of this style on display. Craig

Im on the left with my retired bitch! (oh er missus) still with me though. Strange that my new Sheperd is black as well.

Chris, Its running in the lounge as well. I myself cant wait to see the photos of you and the other young Legioners going to chapel the library etc Craig

Myself and P.D Keg Megan with our oppos at Beating the Retreat on Horse Guards. We are standing in front the Guards Memorial.

No cadets Mervyn, And a bit of a problem with the country being bankrupt! The last rumour I heard is the Met are'nt recruiting for 5 years and if you want to join you will have to be a Special for 5 years or take a Universtiy course that will drop it to 3 years as a Special. There are no places for PCSO to become Constables either. The Counties are in a far worse situation! But on the plus side I keep hearing rumours that they want to bring in retirement at 25yrs to get rid of all the expensive boys and girls, so every cloud! Best Craig

I can't remeber collecting mine....but I wasn't the best student! A great thread though Mervyn maybe a posting in the lounge as I'm sure you will get more than "Job" photos maybe even get some from the Colonies though they will probaly be porale photos Best Craig

A wise man Jack, The oldest and the best, a biased opinion of course, wherever you go in the UK, or across the world, you soon realise that "The Job" is just the same! Looking after those who need us, and those who don't think they need us! You are very lucky in joining GMIC with the depth of knowledge that our members have. You will learn a lot from Mervyn, Brian, Coldstream etc Enjoy All the best Craig

Mervyn, Being semi literate on the computer it may be a while! Im waiting for Photo shop to arrive so you never know I maybe able to post some photos soon. Good luck with the Museum Craig

Mervyn, I think it maybe possible that the High Sheriff staff maybe from Cheshire. The Oak leaf and acorn is a symbol of the county indeed it was the Regimental badge of the Cheshire Regiment. The Prince of Wales is also closely associated with the county maybe due to its border with Wales. He is also historicaly the Colonel in Chief of The Cheshire Regiment. Is there any silver marks on the maces as Chester has its own assaye office? Best Craig

Fabulous display please, please more Craig

Could the Civilian be a "Crimper" or had the practice been abolished by this time? Craig

Brilliant cards, still very funny after all those years and stll pretty true!

Any assistance required Nick please give us a shout. Craig

22 years in and now they drop it! Anyway well congrats to all "Old Bill" a hard job and well diserved, Craig

Stunning collection keep it coming. Mervyn I have pinned as requested Craig

I think that any problems between Specials and regulars ( In the Met anyway ) have long since passed. The problem children now are PCSO's. A recent scheme in London has encouraged members of the Met Civilian staff and managers of retail establishments to become Specials and in my opinion they do a bloody good job. It is also a staging ground for those thinking of a career in the regulars. Specials now also recieve good training and good kit and speaking for myself would be more than happy to be posted with one. In the counties you will need to ask Leigh

Rick, You have to be very careful as Daleks can fly now in the 21st century so its no good hiding upstairs.

Police Community Support Officers.....cheap labour with no powers they were formed to perform certain tasks to free up the real Police but in my expeirance they cause more problems than they solve.

No I was never a Gadget lots of friends who were though and I try to not let them forget it!