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    5016

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    Everything posted by 5016

    1. Thanks for this information and advice gents. Much appreciated. Kevin.
    2. Hi Gents, I wonder if there is anyone who can assist me please - I am trying to find out any information about a PC William Soper who served in the Metroplitan Police in the mid-19th Century. The exact dates are not known but he was born in 1831 and died in 1916. I have the fantastic book by Jim Kemp - “The Metropolitan Police The Men and their medals. Vol. 1” which does list an officer of that name but the period of service is too late (1884 - 1907) to be the man I am trying to research. Anything you can tell me would be much appreciated. He was the G/Great Grandfather of a friend, who recently showed me some memorabilia of his and asked if I could help her trace any records, as I am a retired policeman myself. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the Metropolitan Police nor how to access any records. Kind regards, Kevin.
    3. Many thanks indeed. I’m happy these two have been together for a very long time and have personal experience of police spelling prowess...when I retired after 34 yrs the cut-glass fruit bowl they gave me had my name (Elliott) misspelled. Makes you feel really appreciated. On a plus note - I moaned, so now have two gathering dust in the loft! Kind regards.
    4. Sorry, should have realised that it was a common name, so the extra detail is needed...on the 1902 he is shown "P.C." and "V Div." Hope that helps. Kind regards, Kevin.
    5. Good afternoon Gentlemen, Can anyone assist me please with information about a pair of Metropolitan Police Coronation medals I have - they are a bronze 1902 Edward VII and a silver George V (1911), named to:- W. CLARKE & W. CLARK (no "E") respectively. Both are swing-mounted to a bar, which has some age to it, so I believe belong together and are not a "put together", inspite of the two different spellings. Many thanks in anticipation. Kevin.
    6. Many thanks for link and info ayedeeyew. So, according to the site, it dates from 1909 (244 Barr St address) to 1922 (stopped using patent stamp), which is useful. I know whose whistle it was, I just wondered if the number was his collar number. I didn't realise the actual whistles were numbered. The website is really good. I didn't realise there was such interest and information about such a humble object. Kind regards, Kevin.
    7. I wonder if anyone can help me...as a retired officer I was recently given an old police whistle, which the donator thought would be of interest to me. Joining in the early 70's, these had already disappeared from my forces uniform and I never had one of my own. It is a standard "The Metropolitan" model, stamped with a (collar?) number 2717 and also stamped "London City Police". It has the makers name J. Hudson and address 244 Barr St., Birmingham. On the top, it is stamped "Patent 5727.08" A quick Google suggests that this makers address dates it post-1908, and I understand the patent puts it to the period from that date to approx 1920? This ties in with the information I was supplied by the person who gave it to me, i.e. the period between the wars. Can anyone confirm the approx age of the whistle and, if possible identify the officer with collar number / warrant number 2717? Unlike some of the county forces I understand better records exist for our London based colleagues. Thanks in anticipation, Kevin.
    8. That's interesting Chris - an expensive buckle! How would my artillery buckle compare in terms of rarity, as I'm not familiar with any of these Boer War uniform items? Thanks in anticipation, Kevin.
    9. That's a neat photo Paul. You can see belt buckles...is that the one I wonder? Kevin.
    10. Hello Piekenier, Many thanks for the picture of the Major and the photo of the actual artillery unit. Strange what turns up in remote places, isn't it? I hadn't realised my luck the day I spotted it in the shop. I don't collect anything specifically, other than Japanese swords and fittings, but pick up any interesting items along the way - as you can usually swap or part exchange for something you like. Can you give me an approx valuation for this item please? Regards, Kevin.
    11. Hi Paul, Yes, that makes sense. Good tip, thank you. It seems someone probably took the higher grade award from mine and replaced it with a lower class. I'll try and rectify that in time. There are so many pitfalls for the new-comer in any field of collecting. Regards, Kevin.
    12. Many thanks Andreas. I'll keep my eyes open for a 2nd class award. I appreciate all the help you have given me. Regards, Kevin.
    13. Here you go Andreas. I've also done a close up of the two maker-marked medals. The EK is marked "S-W". Hope this helps. Anything you can tell me appreciated. Also, if the other two bars look ok, could you please let me know. Good or bad, I want to know.
    14. Can you show me exactly which (ideally with a photo) class of MVK you would expect to see. I may try to source the medal and correct this situation. Thanks in anticipation. Kevin.
    15. Thanks for that Andreas. Oh dear - that's disappointing. So far as you can tell, are the other two bars right? Kind regards, Kevin
    16. Dear Andreas,

      Thank you so much for taking the time to provide me with information about my medals. They were an impulse buy but I am very pleased with them...I could well become interested in this field of collecting.

      Kind regards,

      Kevin.

    17. Hi Gents, I have recently acquired a small collection of Imperial German medal bars. This is not my area of collecting but I couldn't resist...I was only after some to display with a WW1 Butchers bayonet and these were offered. I would be most grateful if anyone could tell me exactly what I have please. I think they all represent soldiers who survived WW1 and went on into the Third Reich period but may be wrong! If you can tell me which region they are from, the names of each medal and if it is possible to tell anything about the soldier from the grouping i.e. an N.C.O. etc Many thanks in anticipation. Kevin.
    18. Thank you Paul. That's a good suggestion. It certainly doesn't sound very Germanic. I've read that the Orange Free State artillery were commanded by a Prussian named Albrecht and may have had a strong Prussian contingent? Their (dress) uniforms certainly have a Prussian theme - Picklehaubs etc. I'd love to find a picture of their uniform showing the belt buckle in wear. Kevin.
    19. Gents, Sadly I have been "off forum" for rather a long time. I so wish I had seen this thread sooner and been able to communicate with Mervyn. I recently found a brass belt buckle of the type used by the German military, i.e. with a post and spikes on the back to engage in the leather belt. It has the Oranje Vrystaat banner and crossed flags badge, which has been identified as that of the O.V.S. Artillerie. I had no idea what it was when I found it in a local collectors shop here on the Isle of Wight. It is possible to see a name (?) engraved on the rear - looks like H. HAM? Just thought I'd share with anyone interested. Kevin.
    20. Dave, Thank you very much. My mate has been supplied with a hyperlink to this thread and is picking up these snippets of information daily. It is all adding to the overall picture and I'm sure he'll be delighted with all the kind help. You and I are at the opposite ends of the British Isles. Down here we are shandy-drinking southerners. I bet I know what your tipple is up there ;-) Kind regards, Kevin.
    21. Many thanks. Yes, it' certainly is. I've got the blood pressure of a 16yr old now! Any more books anticipated? Kind regards, Kevin Elliott (Former Hampshire Sgt)
    22. Hi Everyone, A badge-collecting friend of mine in New Zealand asked me for help but I'm floundering with this one...he is trying to find out any facts about his G/Grandfather, who was a Scottish policeman, named Andrew DAVIDSON from Hawick Police. The photo I've got has the collar initials HBP, which I assume to be Hawick Borough Police? His collar number appears to be "13". Dates are uncertain but my friend believes the picture to date from around 1880. In 1915, the gentleman then emigrated via Australia to New Zealand and purchased a farm, which my friend still owns today - nice legacy to spend his commutation on! I am retired police myself but have little experience in this type of historical research. I know the Mets were tidy record keepers but imagine the county and borough records will be less available. That said I would be very grateful for any information about the constable or indeed the force itself. Not sure how to upload pictures but here (hopefully) is a link to my photobucket picture library:- http://i1262.photobu...Davidson001.jpg A very stern, dour, Presbyterian man with a penchant for whiskey I am reliably informed. Good for him! Many thanks in anticipation gents. Kevin.
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