Craig

And of course are immortalised in cockeny rhyming slang as "Sweeney Todd". The title of the 70's cop show about the squad "The Sweeney" with my favourite line by DI Reagan to armed blagger "We're the Sweeney son and we have'nt had our dinner" Class

Jamie,

I think the helmet is a P.C's or P.S's helmet. Inspectors helmets have 2 silver bands around the base in place of the single black band. Ch. Insp have one gold band in this place.

There could be a possibility that a P.C liberated this helmet from the clothing van or from stores and removed the Inspectors bands and stuck the P.C's in its place.

Craig

Never seen one like it in any old Met photos. I have only ever known helmets being worn up to the rank of Chief Inspector and this is very rare usually at demostrations. You will see the odd Inspector wearing a lid but this is becoming rarer as well.

The senior ranks have always preferred flat caps as the can get more braid onto them and not get mistaken for the hoi poloi

Mervyn,

I've mostly been South London with a period in Central London so I got to be posh in C division, Now I am in a CO department still mainly South but have been spending quite a bit of time on your old manor. Not so much the east end now as the wild west what with the guns!!

As for collecting Job not much really a couple of Jubillee Police medals collected as the recepients worked on a couple of my old divisions.

Saying that I suppose some of my original uniform is getting quite rare now Ive got a couple of car coats still in the wrapper and a ahem unread copy of Mr Newmans little blue book.

Craig

Mervyn,

The Home Beat has gone. You would now be a member of a "Safer Neighbourhood" team. Each ward on a Borough has a Skipper 2 P.C's and numerous community support officers ( Civilians ).

Saying that we did get a new Commisioner this month so they will probaly reinvent the wheel again and bring back home beats.

Craig

P.S where was your home beat?

Mervyn,

Please more details what you have given so far has been fasanating.

Thanks

Craig

The Tipstaff is still reprensented on Senior British Police officers uniform. In The Metropolitan Police (London) from the rank of Commander and above part of the rank device worn on the shoulder is a pair of crossed tipstaffs in a laurel wreath.

Craig

ExCop,

As Robin says City of London Police hold there records at the London Metropolitan Archive. Are you sure its a City uniform it should have gold bottons?

If it has silver or black it will be a Metropoltan Police uniform who Police the whole of London except the square mile. There C Division now covers the City of Westminster not to be confused with the City of London.

Cheers

Craig

Antonio,

In the UK several of the well known animal charities issue awards to animals. Probaly the most famous is the Dicken Medal awarded by the PDSA ( Peoples Dispinsary for Sick animals ). It sometimes refered to as "The Animal VC". I think it was last awarded a couple of years ago to a Bomb disposal dog serving with British forces in Iraq. It has been awarded to Police Dogs, Rescue Dogs and even carrier pigeons during both world wars.

On the official front the UK government has no set award for an animal but most likely the award would go the animals handler.

Craig

The old Army and Navy Department Store is now indeed a House Of Fraser Department Store. It is situated at

101 Victoria Street

London

SW1E 6QX ( Victoria Street junction of Buckingham Gate )

Its been a long time since you could by a pistol there but maybe a designer handbag?

I think Peter is right and as is the case with the Queens Police Medal it will be awarded for Meritous Service eg A senior officer sat on his backside behind a desk for 20 years who would probaly faint if he actualy saw blood. A great idea and well deserved but as always the senior officers will gather at a meeting to discuss who deserves this medal.....Um I know lets give it to ourselves.

No they are still usuing the Chinese Cannon captured from the Russians. Apparently there is enough metal for 88 more medals.

Thats right the other Gun is from HMS Roberts which helped shell Sword Beach on D Day

Craig

Laurence,

What a fantastic history it just shows what a great site GMIC is that from a single photo we get to learn so much. If you want to see the size of the gun used to fire a 15" shell the gun outside The Imperial war Museum in London from HMS Ramillies is of the same calibre.

Thanks again Laurence

Craig

Laurence,

Great photo of her under steam. Did she see any action?

John,

Just a guess but could it be Italian. It looks a bit like the Italian Tricolour being flown and the land looks like the Med.

Craig

I didn't know you were a twin Robin

Anyone know of any sites with photos of old Stations on it. Im looking for a photo of Fulham Station in London.

Craig

Amos,

You have missed it but Im sure it will be repeated soon. The episode on the Panther was good though it concentrated on the American owners restoration when the Brit collector already had his up and running. These guys are seriously wealthy.

like a kid on Christmas morning I bet.

Which are the rarest, most expensive etc

Craig

Thanks for the information Christophe I had been told that De Gaulle had cancelled the Legion for the duration of WW2

Craig.

Christophe,

Thank you for the links a great story. Was it General De Gaulle who broght back The Legion of Honour and if so was this after the Liberation of France?

Craig

Those truncheons are beautiful but alas in this changing world most forces in the UK carry the American Asp. Though the BTP have an American style night stick.

The painted Victorian ones are heavily copied inthe UK and you can usualy find them at most antique fairs so if you are thinking of buying one make sure you get its history.

The tipstaffs are still used but as an emblem on badge ranks for senior officers. In the Metropolitan Police in London officers with the Rank of commander and above have an emblem of 2 crossed tipstaves in a laurel wreath. Each rank above adds an extra piece.

Craig

Christophe,

Was there a medal or other type of award given to the Companions?

Craig

I had the pleasure of sitting in a corridor on my own for 6 hours stopping people entering the charge room in order to try and get Eric Cantonas autograph after his Kung Fu display. Though of course he was treated like everyone else though many a time I've had the charge room door opened for me by a Ch. Supt 2 Supts and 3 CI. He was a nice bloke though shocking dress sense though.