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| Sir Robert Peel |
The evolution of law enforcement and policing in England
and Wales goes back to Anglo-Saxon times. It is a complex subject, and many a website could be dedicated to that
subject alone. Suffice to say that in 1829, Sir Robert Peel passed the Metropolitan Police Act, and from that time, London
had its very first organised police force. One important provision of the Bill was that the police force was to wear a standard
uniform, consisting of blue swallow tailed coat and blue trousers for wear during the winter period, changing
to white trousers for the summer. At this time the headwear was a tall top hat. Made from beaver, strengthened with leather
side pieces, with a thick leather crown. On the inside was a wire and cane strengthening ring, which gave it strength and
rigidity. - 1863 New style helmet trialed, based on the military 'Prussian' helmet.
- 1865
New style helmet adopted.
The historian or collector will come across various helmet shapes, such
as the Coxcomb, the Rose top, and the Ball top. These have continued to be used until the present day. Throughout England
and Wales regional preferences have remained for many years.There were several variations in materials...i.e. Luton and
Salisbury had hats made from plaited straw, and during summer months, some forces such as Swansea, Southend and Peterborough
wore a white coloured helmet (see photo). Senior officers helmets tended to be more ornate, with additional metal or
silver fittings.
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| "This apple looks a bit sus to me Mike!!!" |
Constable
Mike Gunter, Gwent Constabulary (right) and myself Constable Ross Mather, South Wales Constabulary (left) during an
I.P.A. / town twinning exchange visit in Austria.
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| Victorian period Glamorgan Constabulary helmet |
Close up photograph
of the Glamorgan Constabulary helmet in the 1890's. The helmet design remained the same up until 1963, when Glamorgan
changed to a rose top design helmet.
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| Glamorgan Constables (Pontypridd) c. 1914 |
ABOVE: Constable B.83 Edward Grace (joined 6.3.1909) and Constable B.210 John Evans (joined 13.4.1912).
Photographed at Pontypridd about 1913 or 1914.
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| Glamorganshire Constable (Bridgend) c.1890 |
ABOVE: Metropolitan 'rose top' style helmet worn late 19th century by Glamorgan. Photo taken at Bridgend. BELOW:
A photograph of a Glamorgan Constable at Aberdare, showing his late 19th century uniform kepi and badge.
(See example of that Victorian badge on 'Police Badges of Wales' page).
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| Glamorganshire Constable (Aberdare) c. 1890 |
RIGHT.
Victorian period c. 1895. Officers carrying a 'hangar'. This is a weapon based on the Naval cutlass. The
Sergeant is wearing 2 medals - the Khedives' Star - Egypt campaign 1882 -91 and another medal which I think is
the Egypt Medal - Egypt campaign 1882 -1889.
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| Glamorgan Constabulary c.1910 |
ABOVE.
Group of officers one of whom at the rear far left has a 'spur' arm badge which denotes that he is also a Mounted
officer. Believed to have been taken outside Pontypridd Police Station.
BELOW. A photograph I believe
to be one of the Glamorgan Constabulary 'Cowbridge Sub-Division'. The Chain of Office shows the symbol for
the Borough of Cowbridge. Probably taken in the 1930's.
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| Glamorgan Constabulary (Cowbridge) c.1930 |
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| Merthyr Tydfil or 'A' Division, Glamorgan Constabulary c.1904 |
BELOW Neath Borough Police was a small
police force that ceased to exist after 1947. It was amalgamated to in that year to become 'N' Division of the Glamorgan Constabulary.
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| Neath Borough Police 1925 |
ABOVE. A photograph of the Neath Borough Police taken in 1925. This is probably
the full Borough
force at that time.
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| PC 'B' 22 Cardiff City Police c.1920 |
ABOVE Police Constable
no B 22 Cardiff. 'B' Division would have him stationed at Canton or Grangetown.
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| Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police c.1910 |
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| Some of my helmet collection |
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| The style of hat worn prior to the introduction of the helmet. |
| Swansea County Borough Police |
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| Senior officer's helmet c.1890 |
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| Glamorgan Constabulary senior officers helmet. |
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| Silver fittings. A Superintendents helmet |
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| Glamorganshire (Aberdare) Constable c.1875 |
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| First pattern Glamorganshire Constabulary helmet plate c.1875 |
ABOVE 2 photos : CDV photograph c 1875 showing the first style Glamorganshire Constabulary
helmet with brim and comb, introduced to replace the 'stove pipe' hat. Below that, an example of the first pattern
helmet plate worn on that helmet, fitted with the Constable's number. BELOW
: Pre-1902 Cabinet photograph of a Glamorgan Constable in the Merthyr Division. In 1908 Merthyr Tydfil became
a police force in its own right.
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| Glamorganshire Constabulary 'A' or Merthyr Division. c.1895 |
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| Glamorgan Constable 254 Jenkins, Pontypridd |
ABOVE: Police Constable Frederick William Jenkins. Joined Glamorgan Constabulary 17.6.1905. Posted to
Pontypridd 5.8.1905. Promoted 1st Class Constable (one stripe) 16. 6.1906.
BELOW. Photograph of the ex-servicemen of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police who fought in the Great
War 1914-1919. Inset photographs are of the six men from that force who were killed in action.
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| Merthyr Tydfil Borough Police |
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| Glamorgan Constabulary 'armed' officers |
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| 3 different style Swansea Borough Police helmets c.1890 - 1969 |
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| Merthyr Division, Glamorgan Constabulary |
ABOVE: Group
photograph (also shown in closer detail lower left) of 'A' or Merthyr Division, Glamorgan Constabulary.
Pictured top right hand corner is the Divisional Commander Superintendent Anthony Gill. Quite likely to be a full
photo of the whole Division prior to the 1908 formation of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police.
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| Glamorgan Constabulary mounted officers helmet |
A standard
uniform police helmet. When required for ceremonial duties, ball top removed and plume device was fitted.
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| Montgomeryshire Constabulary c.1890 |
Victorian period group of Montgomeryshire
Constabulary officers.
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| Glamorgan Constabulary Sergeant (Senghenydd Colliery) |
This
Sergeant was stationed at Senghenydd Colliery, near Caerphilly. c.1930.
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| Merthyr Tydfil Borough Police senior officer c. 1910 |
My collection has been built up over many years and is quite unique. I eagerly search for older British
police helmets, items of insignia, decorated truncheons, medals or equipment etc. Should you ever wish to consider donating an
item, it would be greatly received. I am also prepared to purchase a single item or full collection. Please contact with me
if you wish to dispose of anything. Thanks
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