PMCC Magazine 334

Police Medals and Awards

(Part Three)

By: David Picton-King

Edinburgh City Special Constabulary Medal

Date: 1917.
Ribbon: 32 mm, equally divided in black and white.
Metal: Bronze.
Size: 32 mm.

Description: (Obverse) circular medal, the outer band having the words ‘Edinburgh City Special Constabulary 1914’ around the circumference. The inner open-work area has a shield with the words ‘Long Service’ in 2 lines. (Reverse) plain. The medal has a pin brooch attached to it, in the form of a double spray of stylised laurel leaves.

Comments: This medal was introduced in 1917 to recognise the Special Constables who had served during World War 1. It was of an almost identical design to medals issued by the Metropolitan, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Kidderminster and Birmingham Police for the same purpose. The major differences between those medals are seen in the form of the pin brooch, and the name of the force on the obverses. This medal was issued unnamed although some privately named examples are known. The medal is not worn with its ribbon, instead being worn from the pin brooch on dress uniform. The ribbon is used as a ribbon bar in undress uniform to display award of the medal.

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Essex Police Star of Merit

Date: 1871.
Ribbon: None, badge only.
Metal: Bullion wire embroidered badge, cloth backing.
Size: Unknown.

Description: (Obverse) Star shaped emblem above a concave folded scroll containing the word ‘Merit’, all in embroidered silver bullion wire. (Reverse) plain cloth backing. The badge is sewn to the medal has a pin brooch attached to it, in the form of a double spray of stylised laurel leaves.

Comments: This badge was introduced by the Essex Police in 1871 for award to Constables and Sergeants for ‘highly distinguished and discreet conduct in the discharge of duty, particularly when accompanied by a risk to life. ‘

Initially the award was restricted to be worn by only ten sergeants and twenty constables at any one time, but that rule has since been rescinded. Initially, the badge was to be worn on the uniform collar, but later was moved to the right tunic sleeve as pictured at left. It is still extant and was last awarded in 2022 to two officers who tackled the armed terrorist who had just fatally stabbed politician David Amess.

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Exeter City Police Star of Merit

Date: 1887.
Ribbon: Unknown, appears to be a dark coloured ribbon with pale edge stripes.
Metal: Silver.
Size: Unknown, estimated 32-36 mm.

Description: (Obverse) an eight-pointed star shaped medal with circular central area. Design details are not known. (Reverse) unknown but thought to be plain as the medal was engraved on the reverse with the name of the recipient and the date of presentation by the Watch Committee.

Comments: This medal was introduced in 1887 by the Exeter City Police Watch Committee, to recognise acts of bravery by several officers during a tragic fire in the city which took 188 lives. Initially issued as a ‘star of silver braid’, it was later (1888) changed to a silver medal due to the financial cost of replacing the braid award each year with every uniform issue, versus issuing one metallic star medal only. It is known that at least 5 awards of this medal were made, and there were likely others.

The other medal pictured at left with the Star award is almost certainly a Royal Humane Society Bravery Medal, probably for the same action.

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Exeter City Police Long Service & Efficiency Medal

Date: 1928.
Ribbon: 32 mm white with two green stripes towards each edge.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36 mm.

Description: (Obverse) circular medal with the Coat of Arms of the City of Exeter at the centre, with the words ‘For Long Service’ around the top circumference, and ‘And Efficiency’ around the bottom. (Reverse) the words ‘City Of Exeter’ around the top circumference, ‘Police Force’ around the bottom and the image of an early Constabulary hat over crossed swords at the centre. The medal has a straight bar swivelling claw suspender.

Comments: This medal was introduced to recognise 17 years of long service with efficiency and zeal, and without default. Bars were issued for each additional 5 years of service. The bars were rectangular, affixed by lugs and had the words ‘Twenty Two Years’, ‘Twenty Seven Years’ etc shown as appropriate. An initial batch of 36 medals were all issued named to the recipients. A second batch of 36 was ordered but never issued. The jeweller’s premises storing the second batch was bombed in the blitz, and the unnamed medals were then stored at police headquarters, and gradually found their way onto the ‘free’ market.

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Glasgow City Special Constabulary World War 1 Service Medal

Date: 1919.
Ribbon: No ribbon issued.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 26 mm.

Description: (Obverse) circular medal with the dates ‘1914-1919’ around the upper circumference, and the Arms of the City of Glasgow at the centre. (Reverse) the words ‘Presented By The Corporation Of Glasgow’ around the circumference, and the centre having the words ‘To- (flat scroll for engraving recipient name)- Special Constable- In acknowledgement- Of- Services Rendered’ in 6 lines. Each medal was issued with a brooch pin suspender, rectangular in shape and displaying the number of years served by that recipient. These showed 1 year to 4 years, as required.

Comments: This medal was introduced to recognise the services of the many Special Constables during World War 1. Most of these medals were hallmarked on the obverse, although examples with no hallmarks have also been seen. There are at least two different makers shown on the hallmarks, indicating several batches were made. Occasional examples are seen suspended with a dark blue ribbon- these are private adaptations for wearing or display and are not official.

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Gloucestershire Police Silver Braid Bravery Award

Date: 1920.
Ribbon: Braided silver fabric.
Metal: Not applicable.
Size: About 32mm by 12 mm.

Description: (Obverse) detail unknown but described at the time of initiation as a ‘silver ribbon’ and appearing very similar to a single medal ribbon bar, and flexible. (Reverse) unknown; probably sewn to the tunic but possibly with a pin fitting.

Comment: This award was introduced early in his tenure by Gloucester Police Chief Constable Major F.L. Stanley OBE, who held that office from 1918 to 1937. The first award was made in April 1921. It was to recognise Bravery by officers serving in the Gloucestershire force. It was commonly referred to as ‘Silver Braid’- as in ‘He’s received “Silver Braid”’. This award was given for 50 acts of bravery, the last being made in 1955.

PC 276 Victor Isaac JAMES
Wearing ‘Silver Braid’

WPC Marion SANDOVER

Wearing ‘Silver Braid’- the only woman to be so awarded

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Govan Burgh Police Diamond Jubilee Long Service Medal

Date: 1897.
Ribbon: 32 mm, five equal alternating stripes of royal blue and white.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36 mm.

Description: (Obverse) The veiled effigy of Queen Victoria at the centre, and the words ‘Victoria Diamond Jubilee’ around the upper circumference, and dates ‘1837-1897’ below the effigy. (Reverse) a circumference band having the words ‘For Good Service’ above, and ‘Govan Burgh Police’ below. The centre area has the Arms of the Burgh surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The medal has a straight bar suspender. A plain silver rectangular bar was issued for each additional (unknown) period of service.

Comment: This award was introduced in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria but also had a ‘Good Service’ requirement of 15 years’ service with an unblemished record. Only 12 men qualified and received their named medals. Only three of these have been traced so far.

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Grantham Borough Police Jubilee Medal

Date: 1897.
Ribbon: 32mm dark blue.
Metal: Bronze.
Size: 39 mm (estimated).

Description: (Obverse) a circumference band containing the words ‘In Commemoration Of The Sixtieth Year Of The Reign Of Queen Victoria’, and in the centre a royal crown above the effigies of the young, and older veiled Queen, above the royal Arms. (Reverse) a circumference band with the words ‘R. F. Lee. Mayor’ above, and ‘Grantham Constabulary’ below, and with the Arms of Grantham in the central area.

Comments: This medal was issued to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It is not known if any other criterion, such as long or good service, also attached to award of the medal. The pictured medal has the dark blue ribbon, although one authority (Bush) states that it had alternating dark blue and white stripes, similar to that shown for the Govan Burgh medal at BPPM 40 above.

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Gravesend Borough Special Police Medal

Date: 1918 or 1919.
Ribbon: Unknown.
Metal: Gold, (probably silver gilt) and enamels.
Size: 27 mm.

Description: (Obverse) a circular medal with an outer band with the words ‘Gravesend’ above, and ‘Special Police’ below. The central area shows the Arms of Gravesend, in raised outline and with red, white and blue enamels. The medal claw fitting is an ornate scrolled wire style, attached to a ring. (Reverse) plain, with the words ‘European War- 1914-18’ in 2 lines. A space is available for a recipient name to be engraved below. Hallmarks are stamped at the bottom of the reverse.

Comments: This medal, described as ‘gold’ but most probably silver gilt by its hallmarks, was issued to Gravesend Special Constables to recognise service during World War 1. It is not known how the medal was suspended through the ring fitting- a pin brooch, ribbon bar or fob chain may all be possible.

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Greenock Burgh Special Constabulary Medal

Date: 1919.

Ribbon: 28 mm Dark Blue.

Metal: Silver.

Size: 32 mm.

Description: (Obverse) a circular medal with a raised outer band with the words ‘Burgh Of Greenock’ at the top. The centre area has a stylised version of the Greenock Seal, with a ship in full sail in the background, and two men handling barrels on a wharf in the foreground. (Reverse) wreath of laurel leaves around the circumference, and in the centre the words ‘Greenock- Special Constable’ in 2 lines with a scrolled panel below to receive the engraved name of the recipient. Hallmarks are stamped into the lower obverse.

Comments: This medal was issued to Greenock Special Constables for their service during World War 1, although that conflict is not mentioned on the medal. On 1st May 1920 over 300 Greenock Special Constables were presented with this medal, and another 80 received it in November 1921.

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The Police Journal

Some of our readers will have had the opportunity to attend courses held at the Police College, Bramshill House. Perhaps one or two may even have attended the Overseas Command Course, which for a time based at RAF Dishforth

Most readers will be at least aware of the Police College, probably through the crest which adorned countless shields, ties, cufflinks and pendants.

The Police College as we knew it is no more, having met its demise as part of the British Government's austerity cuts in 2015.

Its history though is much older.

Military organisations began establishing staff colleges to train senior officers in tactics, leadership and policy aspects of the military, from the mid 19th century. These were a development of the Military Schools found across Europe in the Napoleonic era.

Most countries had army staff colleges, naval powers had naval staff colleges and there was a healthy exchange of officers from different friendly nations, just as there is today.

It was normal for British army officers who had attended the staff college, to have the title "Staff" added in front of their rank, and to wear crimson gorget patches.

This still happens in some countries.

So it was understandable that after WWII the Home Office would establish a Police College to promote study and for the development of future police leaders and Chief Constables.

Leaf throughout any police almanac for the inter war years and you will see the a large number of Chief Constables were ex military, indicated by their military rank before their name.

It had been common since the inception of the modern police and the 1856 Police Act, for Chief Constables and Commissioners in London to be actively recruited.

The first Police College was opened at Ryton on Dunsmore in June 1948. However it was the purchase of Bramshill House, a beautiful Grade 1 listed building by the Home Office in 1960 that gave the college a permanent and elegant home.

The Police Journal was first published in January 1928, having been sponsored by the Home Office and the Chief Constables Club.

Police journal cover

It was published quarterly on the 1st of January, April, July and September, at the price of 5/- an edition (Five shillings in 1928 is equivalent to £20 / C$34 almost 100 years later)

I only have a couple of copies sadly, but they make interesting reading, even though they are very much a product of their times.

The index for the July 1928 issue reads as follows:

The prosecution of offenders: English practice
Sir Archibald H. Bodkin K.C.B. Director of Public Prosecutions

The Camorra
By "Tiberius"

The Burma Military Police
Captain J. W. Young I.A. F. R. G. S.

Civil police and Home Defence
Major F. L. Stanley-Clarke O.B.E.
Chief Constable of Gloucestershire

The value of Psychology in Court work
Dr. M. Hamblin Smith MD
Medical Officer, H. M. Prison Birmingham

The identification of firearms and projectiles
An illustrated case of the murder of Sir Lee Stack Pasha
Sydney Smith M. D. D. P. H.
Professor of Forensic Medicine, Edinburgh University
Formerly Principal Medico-Legal Expert, Egyptian Government Service

The police dog: His selection and training
Reginald Arundel
Superintendent, West Riding Constabulary

The police in ancient Rome
P. K. Ballie-Reynolds M.A.
Lecturer in ancient history to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth

The Belgian Police
By: "Anglo Belgian"

Burglary in an Indian province
J. A. Scott
District Superintendent of Police, Punjab, India

The development of the police in Cyprus
Lt. Colonel A. E. Gallagher C.B. E.
Chief Commandant, Cyprus Military Police

The discrimination and treating of precious stones and pearls
Walter H. Moresby C.B.E.
Barrister at Law

The Lancashire Constabulary: Eighty years ago and today
W. Trubshaw O.B.E.
Chief Constable, Lancashire Constabulary

The Compleat (sic) Highwayman
By: A. M. P.

Police Gold Medal Essay Competition

Legal notes

Reviews

A copy of the Cyprus Police article follows, including the photographs included in the Police Journal.

The Police Journal was taken over by the Police Staff College and continued to be published quarterly until the sale of Bramshill in 2015. At that time the publication was taked on by a commercial journal publisher who continues to publish it today.

The Development of the Police in
Cyprus

By Lt. Colonel. A. E. GALLAGHER, C.B.E., D.S.O.
Chief Commandant, Cyprus Military Police.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily and Sardinia alone being greater. It is I41 miles
long, 60 miles wide, and contains 3584 square miles — rather more than the area of Norfolk and Suffolk. The greater part of the island is occupied by two mountain ranges, the larger of which covers the whole of the southern part of the island, the highest peak being 6406 feet.

The population in 1921 was 310,709, consisting mainly of Greeks and Turks. Nicosia, the chief town, has a population of 18,461. The island is very fertile and grows fruit, grain, cotton and vegetables.

In 1191, in consequence of the maltreatment of English Crusaders, King Richard Co-zur de Lion landed with an army, conquered the island, and took its ruling prince captive. But finding its upkeep a somewhat expensive matter, he sold it to the Knights Templar. Throughout the Middle Ages the island was a bone of contention between the Genoese, the Venetians and the Turks, and it was not until 1571 that the Turks finally obtained possession of it. From that time onwards it remained in their hands till the agreement with Great Britain in I878.

Under a convention signed at Constantinople on 4th June, 1878, Great Britain undertook to join Turkey in defending Turkish possessions against Russia, and in order ‘to enable England to make necessary provision for executing her engagements,’ the Sultan agreed that Cyprus should be occupied and administered by England. The British flag was hoisted on 4th June. The British association with Cyprus has therefore just reached its jubilee.

In 1914, on the outbreak of hostilities with Turkey, the island was annexed by Great Britain, and received the status of a Colony in I925. It will be of interest, therefore, to trace the development of police administration in Cyprus during these last fifty years.

The Cyprus Military Police Force was raised in September 1878, its constitution being regulated by Law 11 of 1878, which enacted that the Force should consist of a Chief Commandant, and of such Local Commandants and other officers as the High Commissioner might appoint, with a certain number of mounted and foot police. It took the place of a force of Turkish policemen, or zaptiehs, whose duties had been confined almost entirely to the collection of taxes; it had been unpopular with the people, and at the time of the Occupation it mustered about 275 men. The new force included many of the old zaptiehs, who, in most instances, proved to be first rate men. Membership was thrown open to Christians, instead of being confined as hitherto to Mohammedans. Many of the recruits, however, though physically ﬁt, proved unsuited for the work and intolerant of discipline. A careful weeding out of the more undisciplined characters during the first twelve months was found to be necessary, but the Chief Commandant was able to report most favourably on the Force at the end of 1879, when its strength was 17 officers, 200 mounted and 390 foot, quartered throughout six districts.

During 1879 it was determined to raise a corps of police to be employed on works of public utility, and in augmentation of the Cyprus Police. This corps became known as the ‘Cyprus Pioneers.’ Its members relieved the Military Police Force of many of their duties, including guard, escort and prison duties. They also acted as guards for villages which were infected with cattle disease, and they were engaged in road-making. Their name must, however, be most closely associated with their work in connection with the disastrous Limassol floods of 1880, when it was found impossible to persuade the ordinary labourers to work. In the course of the year 1880 it was decided that this force should cease to exist as a separate corps, and should be amalgamated with the police force. The strength of the ‘ Cyprus Pioneers ’ at that time was 440 men, exclusive of native officers and non-commissioned officers, and the amalgamation of the Pioneers and the Military Police Force duly took place. The new establishment was fixed at 8 British officers, 9 native officers, 220 mounted and 473 foot rank and ﬁle.

At the present time, forty-eight years after the amalgamation, the normal establishment of the Cyprus Military
Police Force consists of a Chief Commandant, six Local Commandants (three British officers and three Cypriot officers), seven Inspectors and eight Sub-Inspectors ; with 273 mounted and 474 foot of other ranks. In addition to this number one Assistant Chief Warder and eighty non-commissioned officers are detailed from the police for duty as prison warders at the Central and District prisons.

The police, besides fulfilling the ordinary duties of an armed constabulary, such as the preservation of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the arresting of offenders, act as escort for the protection of the collectors of revenue ; they serve all summonses in Government cases, distribute all Government notices and other official documents, furnish all guards of honour in the colony, and execute all criminal writs issued by order of the Courts.

The police are an armed military body. Their equipment includes short Lee Enfield magazine rifles with sword bayonets, and they have a Hotchkiss Gun detachment and seven Lewis Gun sections. The mounted men are trained as mounted infantry, and the foot police are drilled and trained as infantry.

The Colony is divided into six Districts, and each District is designated by the name of its headquarters police station. The Districts are subdivided into Sections, and each Section into Groups. The establishment and distribution of police in each District, Section, and Group is decided in accordance with the area of the District, Section, and Group, the prevalence of crime in the area, the population of the area, and the character of the inhabitants.

Cyprus officers 1

Cyprus officers 2

In 1923 a Rural Police Force was established under an enactment of I878. The Cyprus Military Police are engaged as Group Commanders to the Rural Police Force, and in I927 the latter body consisted of 761 rural constables.

The duties of the Rural Police Force are to keep watch over the fields, gardens, vineyards, crops, trees, and waters
within the village, or group of villages, to which they are appointed. A Rural Constable is a public functionary and
has the powers of a police constable; he is not, however, except on rare occasions, placed in the position in criminal
cases in such a way as to necessitate his attendance as a witness before the criminal courts, as his absence from his village to give evidence in a criminal case would result in the loss of supervision of his village area and the effective execution of his duties. He is, however, utilised by the police force as a police agent in the village. He carefully but unobtrusively watches everything which transpires in the village, keeps an eye on the movements and actions of all bad and suspicious characters, and is always in a position to furnish his police Group Commander with full information on all matters which occur, or are likely to occur, in the village area under his supervision. A Rural Constable is thus of the greatest assistance to the police in the prevention and detection of crime in the Colony.

The official languages in the Colony are English, Turkish, and Greek. As the Cyprus Military Police Force are recruited locally, no difficulty is experienced by Cypriot officers and other ranks in coping with the language question. British officers have to pass an examination in either Turkish or Greek within a prescribed period. Schools of instruction in English, Greek, and Turkish have been set up in the training depot for recruits, and at each divisional police headquarters, to enable members of the Force to improve their knowledge of one or more of the official languages.

Special attention is given to the enlistment of recruits in the force. No candidate is enlisted if he bears a bad
character or has been convicted of a criminal offence before the Courts. No candidate is enlisted unless he can read,
write and speak his own language well, and, in addition, speak either Greek or Turkish, as the case may be. A very
satisfactory percentage of recruits enlisted can read, write, and speak English, Turkish, and Greek, and it is not too much to say that the Cyprus Military Police is a Well-educated force.

The training of recruits at the training depot is under the charge of a specially selected British officer and carefully
trained non-commissioned officers, who are thoroughly qualified in the art of instruction. The normal length of the
recruit’s course is twelve weeks. There are four instruction squads, each in charge of an instructor, and the recruits pass from one squad to another. The exercises and subjects of instruction are progressive, and recruits of inferior capacity are weeded out as the training progresses.

Crime in the Colony is classified into ‘ Serious Crime ’ and ‘ Minor Offences.’ The police force experience no great
difficulties in the prevention and detection of crime in the Colony, except in cases of murder, both premeditated and
unpremeditated. Unpremeditated murders which are committed on the spur of the moment, generally in cafés and at
wedding festivals and on the like occasions, are usually the result of sudden disputes and quarrels. Serious crime in the Colony does not occur to any undue extent, and has been appreciably decreasing during the last six years.

At all divisional police headquarters there are good police barracks (Government buildings), which, in addition to
the ordinary barrack rooms, contain investigating rooms, officers’ room, and offices to accommodate the divisional
police officer and his staff. Baths and electric lighting are installed, together with a good water supply. Police canteens
are provided, and each police barracks has a small garden.

The police out-stations in Sections and Groups are in some instances Government buildings, and in others premises rented in the village. At each police out-station there is a fully furnished officers’ room. The general accommodation at outstations is similar to that at each divisional police headquarters, but is on a smaller scale, and is proportionate to the strength of the detachment at the particular out-station.

Editors note: The Cyprus Military Police were renamed "Cyprus Police" in 1935

1923 cap badge

Cyprus 1920

It happened on the 1st April

Do you know where you were and what you were doing fifty years ago today? Well almost today.

I am thinking of Monday the 1st April 1974.

It was on this date that one of the largest and most radical changes to English and Welsh policing ever took place, with the wholesale amalgamation of forces from Bristol to Newcastle upon Tyne.

It was the end of proud City forces like Bristol, Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds and Hull all of whom had been in existence for more than 140 years.

Amalgamation of small county, borough and city police forces had been taking place since the 1850's. Forces like Hedon Borough Police (2 officers) had been compulsorily merged into their surrounding counties.

More suffered the same fate following critical inspections by Her Majesties Inspectors of Constabulary in the 1880's.

As the country changed through the late Victorian and Edwardian era's and into World War I, so the Inspector's recommended that the smallest and allegedly inefficient forces were no longer viable.

The threat of the loss of the 51% exchequer grant ensured that the local Watch Committee acquiesced. Many although not all of these changes took place on the 1st of April.

This was not because someone in the Home Office had a warped sense of humour. Rather it is because the UK financial year starts on the 6th April, so this was the closest beginning of a month to the start of the financial year.

Doubtless though, as in 1974, there would be cynics who suggested that April Fool's Day was an appropriate date for such foolishness.

Early in WWII, it was recognised that there needed to be change, especially on the south coast of Britain because of the War and the threat of invasion, but also because those in power also knew that eventually there would be an invasion force and that large units with a single command structure would be needed.

So on 1st April 1943 forces like Dover, Canterbury, Folkestone, Eastbourne, Hastings and Winchester were all merged into the county forces.

Even counties like East and West Sussex merged for the duration of the War. All the forces which were merged under War Regulations were promised that they could re-establish themselves as separate entities after the end of hostilities.

After the end of the War, there was neither the appetite nor finance to enable it to happen and apart from Sussex where all the forces reverted in 1947, the others remained part of their larger county constabulary.

Their proud traditions were lost forever, along with in most cases their records.

It should also be noted that it was WWII which ended police fire brigades. The history of "Fire Bobbies" was covered in three articles of this magazine which are still available in the archive. (Magazines 313, 315 and 317)

o0o

It is said that the only constant is change. Certainly in my service it was true, and change continues to this day.

The Conservative Government of Harold Macmillan set up a Royal Commission into policing in 1960, under the chairmanship of Henry Willink.

A Royal Commission is an instrument used by governments of Britain and the Commonwealth, to look into matters of great importance and usually also of controversy.

The result of the 1960 Royal Commission was the Police Act of 1964.

This far reaching act bestowed powers on the incumbent Home Secretary to force amalgamations on unwilling participants.

These powers were exercised in the late 1960's with the creation of short lived forces like the Devon and Exeter Police, Mid Anglia Constabulary and longer lasting merged forces, like West Midlands Police.

Vociferous opposition was raised against the largest independent forces being merged and quite often there were public inquiries.

Some won, some lost. Birmingham City Police, Leeds City Police and Bradford City Police were all forces which were able to remain as separate entities, for a few more years at least.

Another Act of Parliament which began life in the same period was to usher in the 1974 changes.

It wasn't just the police who were being eyed up for change. The Government had also set its sights on local government, where out saw waste and duplication.

The Local Government Act of 1972 was to come into force on the 1st April, 1974, streamlining local governance across England and Wales.

But there was also a link to the Police Act, in that there was a requirement for police (and fire and ambulance service) boundaries to be coterminous with one or more local government boundaries.

This led to the creation of completely new police force areas, places like Merseyside Police, Cleveland Constabulary and Humberside Police. All of which took in new economic zones.

The remaining city forces like Leeds and Bradford became part of the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police. Northumbria took in former forces around the River Tyne and River Weir, which had become part of Durham Constabulary in 1966/67. Avon and Somerset Constabulary is another force which was brand new in 1974.

Forces ceased to exist, like Gwynedd Constabulary, Mid Anglia Constabulary and the York and North East Yorkshire Police.

There were other boundary changes which were not wholesale amalgamations.

Barrow in Furness, which had become part of Lancashire Constabulary in 1969 moved into Cumbria. Ripon, whose borough police had merged with the West Riding Constabulary in 1887, moved again into North Yorkshire, along with most of the rural West Riding Constabulary area to the north of Ilkley.

o0o

So back to the question I posed at the start of this article. Where were you on the 1st April 1974?

Being a Monday, it was the first day of the four weekly shift pattern and I paraded for duty at 23:00, for the start of a week of nights.

Our uniforms had changed, we had gained diced bands on our caps and new badges. We had new numbers, but only one set, enough for one uniform!

This 1st April the following forces celebrate the start of their Golden Jubilee year.

Previous force and formation date                                    New force on 1st April 1974

Somerset and Bath Constabulary 1967                        Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Bedfordshire & Luton Constabulary 1966                    Bedfordshire Police

Mid Anglia Constabulary 1965                                    Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Teesside Constabulary 1968                                       Cleveland Constabulary

Derby Co and Borough Constabulary 1967                  Derbyshire Constabulary

Dorset & Bournemouth Constabulary 1967                  Dorset Police

Essex & Southend on sea Constabulary 1964               Essex Police

Manchester & Salford Police 1968                              Greater Manchester Police

Parts of various forces                                                 Humberside Police

Leicestershire & Rutland Constabulary 1967                Leicestershire Constabulary

Parts of various forces                                                   Merseyside Police

Norfolk Joint Police 1968                                              Norfolk Constabulary

Gwynedd Constabulary 1967                                        North Wales Police

York & North East Yorkshire Police 1968                    North Yorkshire Police

Northampton & County Constabulary 1966                   Northamptonshire Police

Northumberland Constabulary                                       Northumbria Police

Nottinghamshire Combined Constabulary 1968              Nottinghamshire Constabulary

Parts of various forces                                                    South Yorkshire Police

Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Constabulary 1968        Staffordshire Police

Warwickshire & Coventry Constabulary 1969                Warwickshire Constabulary

West Yorkshire Constabulary 1968                                 West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police

Most celebrations seem to be low key. But however they are celebrating their creation, I wish them well for their next 50 years.