The South African Railway Police

[sabrigade]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2010/post-3034-128231764062.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2010/post-3034-128231764705.jpg

MY RAILWAY POLICE AND ASSOCIATED BADGES

This police force was established in 1916 to police the country's railways and harbours.

It was also responsible for air services.

The SARP was modeled on the SAP, and also awarded the King's/Queen's Police Medal.

The badges in the photographs form part of my collection.

I do not have much information on them so any inputs would be appreciated.

Regards,

Will

[Mervyn Mitton]

Some rare badges amongst this collection, Will. I haven't seen one of the big SAR Helmet Plates for a long time. I agree with you - this was an important Force for South Africa - very interchangeable with the SAP - and it would be nice to have some input from people who served with them - or, remember them ?

[milhistry]

I have a SARP officers summer service dress uniform. It is a light sand coloured jacket with three cuff buttons (as per SAP), no expanding pockets below the waistline however. The trousers are a brownnish drab (a browner shade than the SADF "drab" service dress jackets). Unfortunately I do not have a cap to complete it with...

I do vaguely remember the SARPs but remember them wearing green uniforms. I have found a few pictures of SARPs in dark green safari suits as well as a dark green tunic that makes them look almost like RUC (SARP green was a lighter shade however and they wore browninsh drab trousers and caps with the green tunics). Perhaps mine is a summer dress of some variety? Any comments appreciated.

[milhistry]

Here is a picture of the jacket and trousers. The label says S A R Police Jacket and is dated 1985. Any ideas wgo/when this was worn?

[Tony Farrell]

I am attempting to establish a definitive timeline for the SAS Polisie - a stumbling point being the changeover of title from SA Railways (plural?) & Harbour Police to SA Railway Police - particularly as to why the change became necessary. 

I would also like to pinpoint a date for the changeover from the first type Faithful Service (LS) medal to the second - though I suspect it was 1951. As such, if any members have examples of either type in their collections then I'd appreciate any feedback on their award dates, as the medals 'should' be dated. This concerns the pre-'65 medals only.