All Police Forces Rare Welsh Police helmets

[Ross Mather]

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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

[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

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Edited December 16, 2013 by Ross Mather

[bigjarofwasps]

On 16/12/2013 at 14:53, Ross Mather said:

 

 

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.

 

 

Any idea how many officers Neath Borough had in it's ranks? 

[Dave Wilkinson]

At the time of amalgamation on 31st March 1947 they had 45 men.

Dave.

 

[bigjarofwasps]

1 hour ago, Dave Wilkinson said:

At the time of amalgamation on 31st March 1947 they had 45 men.

Dave.

 

47 is pretty small I guess, but HUGE compared to Merionethshire Constabulary, which had a mighty 35 (all ranks) ? 

[Dave Wilkinson]

17 minutes ago, bigjarofwasps said:

47 is pretty small I guess, but HUGE compared to Merionethshire Constabulary, which had a mighty 35 (all ranks) ? 

I think the smallest (in Wales) was Carmarthen Borough Police with 17 men. They amalgamated with their County in 1944. For the greater part of their existence they had only 12 men and were known as the "Carmarthen Shilling" (12 Coppers).

Dave.

Edited July 2, 2019 by Dave Wilkinson

[Dublin Peeler]

Ross,  not sure if you saw my post on my mystery coxcomb helmet...I was guessing it originated from somewhere in Wales or Northern England....I figure your knowledge on those areas, this might be in your wheelhouse as they say....heres a couple of pics... 

 

Cheers...Tom.