THE BRITISH POLICE HELMET

POLICE INSIGNIA OF WALES

* HOME PAGE *
POLICE HELMETS of ENGLAND & WALES
POLICE INSIGNIA of WALES.
POLICE FORCES of WALES
POLICE HISTORY SOCIETY of WALES
** DONATING AN ITEM **
SOUTH WALES POLICE **MUSEUM**

walesc5.gif

For many years, the British Government's policy has been 'bigger is better'. This led to the demise of many forces being amalgamated and resigned forever to history books. In recent years, financially inspired attempts at yet more force amalgamations were successfully resisted by many Police Authorities, resulting in a Home Office backdown from threats to force through the amalgamations.  But - personal gut feeling as to the future of police forces in England and Wales is - 'watch this space'. 

Below are examples of police insignia of many older, pre-amalgamation forces, worn with great pride by those who chose to serve their communities in Wales.
 
Click on the badge to enlarge

Full name:
Email address:
Comments:
 

100_1907.jpg
Neath Borough Police helmet plate pre 1947

Neath Borough Police was amalgamated into the Glamorgan Constabulary in 1947.

100_1987.jpg
Cardiff County Borough Police helmet plate c. 1890

(Possibly a horse martingale badge.. not a helmet plate). Borough Police badge prior to Cardiff being granted City status in 1905.

100_2233.jpg
Caernarfonshire Constabulary c.1920

Early police helmet plate in the Welsh language. Replaced 'Carnarvonshire' 3 feathers plate as shown above.

100_1988.jpg
Cardiganshire Constabulary c.1910

Ornate centre wreath helmet plate. Worn on 6 panel balltop / chain style helmet.

100_2005.jpg
Glamorganshire Constabulary (Victorian).

c. 1890 Queen Victoria Crowned badge. Worn on kepi and later on the pill-box style hat.

DSCF1388.JPG
Glamorgan Constabulary (hallmarked silver).

Senior officers collar badge c1915. Solid hallmarked silver. Well polished and worn

100_2009.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police helmet plate

c.1920. Large 4" wide coat of arms helmet plate. Worn both on chain / ball top helmet and later coxcomb style. 

DSCF0254.JPG
Swansea County Borough Police

Swansea County Borough Police tunic belt & buckle - c1930

58532_1.jpg
Bute Docks Police (Above and below).

Bute Docks Police (Cardiff) pre 1897
100_2241.jpg

Brass insignia for Bute Docks Police. This small force existed 1865 - 1897. In 1897 it became part of the newly formed Cardiff Railway Police 

100_2017.jpg
Neath Borough Police tunic arm badge

St. John's Amulance Association cloth & wire arm badge denoting First Aid Qualification. 

100_2061.jpg
Radnorshire Constabulary helmet plate c.1940

Former small Welsh county police force. Disappeared in 1948 when amalgamated to become part of Mid-Wales Constabulary. 

100_2286.jpg
Flintshire Constabulary

Pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate. This force ceased to exist after 1967.

100_2280.jpg
Pembrokeshire Police c.1920

Rare numbered helmet plate issued to Constable no.46. 

100_2058.jpg
Breconshire Pre 1948

In 1948 Breconshire joined with Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire to form Mid- Wales Constabulary.

100_2276.jpg
Denbighshire Constabulary c.1885

I believe that this was the first pattern helmet plate worn by the force. Used on a 6 panel rose top with black metal fittings. 2 1/4" high.

100_2278.jpg
Pembrokeshire Police

Last helmet plate used by this force before amalgamation in 1968. 

100_2023.jpg
Neath Borough Police epaulette badge c.1900

100_2027.jpg
Neath Borough Police button mid 19th Century


Glamorgan Constabulary

Late 19th Century whistle. Buttons & cap badge post 1904

100_2068.jpg
Newport County Borough Police c.1940

Large 3 1/2" wreath badge that replaced the small wreath. Worn on spike topped / chain / 6 panel helmet.

100_2069.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police

Helmet plate that replaced the large coat of arms plate. This style helmet plate was used only between 1967 - 1969.

100_2074.jpg
Cardiff City Police helmet plate. Pre 1953

100_2075.jpg
Cardiff City Police pre 1953

This pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate replaced the older numbered wreath. Worn on a rose top design helmet.

100_2314.jpg
Flintshire Constabulary

Helmet plate of county police force, now part of North Wales Police area. Flintshire existed from 1857 - 1967

100_2291.jpg
Denbighshire Constabulary

100_2082.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary pre 1953

100_2084.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary pre 1953 (sterling silver).

100_2091.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil Co Boro. Senior officer (sterling silver)

100_2310.jpg
Dyfed Powys Constabulary

100_2293.jpg
Dyfed Powys Constabulary

Sterling silver

100_2295.jpg
Pembrokeshire Police

Star shaped pattern PC's Sgt's cap badge. Post 1953.

100_2308.jpg
South Wales Constabulary 1969

100_2373.jpg
Newport Borough Police Chief Constable

100_2266.jpg
Montgomeryshire Constabulary

Pre 1948 cap badge. Montgomeryshire ceased to exist after 1948. 

100_2264.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary post 1904

Post 1904 white metal cap / pill box hat badge along with late Victorian / Edwardian epaulette badges, belt buckle and large (1 1/8") Divisional letters & numbers.  

100_2104.jpg
Collar badges etc - former police forces of Wales

100_2317.jpg
Merionethshire Constabulary

Large cap badge of Merionethshire. Ceased to exist after 1950, becoming part of newly formed Gwynedd Constabulary.  Measures approx. 1 1/2" x 2".

DSCF0250.JPG
Breconshire Constabulary

Breconshire helmet plate - Edwardian period c 1910.

100_1906.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police tunic belt buckle. Victorian

100_1992.jpg
Very rare Carnarvonshire Constabulary helmet plate c. 1910

DSCF1803.JPG
Glamorgan Constabulary

  Victorian / Edwardian senior officer's bullion wire and cloth cap / kepi badge.

100_2239.jpg
Neath Borough Police helmet plate c.1910

Early white metal helmet plate post 1902.

100_2004.jpg
Cardiff County Borough Police (Victorian)

c.1890 Queen Victoria Crowned helmet plate. Constables number 85 fitted to jappaned metal oval centre.

100_2244.jpg
Cardiff City Police c.1920

Above and below: Post 1905 police helmet plates with Officers number and Divisional letter. Worn on a 6 panel spike topped helmet.

100_2243.jpg

100_2006.jpg
Cardiff County Borough / City Police helmet plates

Post 1901 helmet plates for 'A' 'B' and 'C' Division officers. Below is the Constable's Divisional number.

100_2019.jpg
Glamorganshire Constabulary badge 'pill box' type cap

This design badge with a King's Crown was only worn between 1902 and 1904

100_2010.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police

Large wreath helmet plate made for use at the formation of this force in 1908. (Helmet plate has 3 lugs).

DSCF1394.JPG
Cardiff County Borough Police

Victorian period ' County Borough Police' tunic eppaulette badge. Cardiff was granted City status in 1905

100_2011.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary c.1890

100_2268.jpg
Radnorshire Constabulary c.1920

Earlier white metal badge. Used both as a cap badge and helmet plate.

100_2014.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police c1880

First helmet plate used by the force in the 1880s. In the 1890's was mounted onto a 'starburst' design backing 

100_2016.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police c1920

Swansea Police St John's Ambulance arm badge

100_2287.jpg
Pembrokeshire Police

Former west Wales county force, now part of the Dyfed Powys Police area.

100_2024.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary c.1875

A very early Monmouthshire Constabulary whistle. Makers details 'Field, London'.

100_2242.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police c1920

Smaller version of the helmet plate used as a cap badge.

100_2062.jpg
Various badges from older, former police forces of Wales

100_2067.jpg
Monmouthshire Police c.1960

Last helmet plate used by Monmouthshire before 1967 amalgamation to become part of Gwent.

100_2070.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police. pre 1953

Pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate. Worn on a 2 panel rose top helmet.

100_2073.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil Co. Borough Police. Post 1953

Last helmet plate to be worn by Merthyr prior to amalgamation in 1969. Worn on 2 panel rose top helmet with all black metal fittings.

100_2072.jpg
Newport County Borough Police. pre 1953

Worn on a rose top police helmet with all black metal fittings.

100_2076.jpg
Cardiff City Police. c1960

Post 1953 black 'night' helmet plate. Used up to amalgamation in 1969 on rose top helmet with all black metal fittings.

100_2312.jpg
Dyfed Powys Constabulary

Rare black / night plate. Not a general use badge this being the only example that Ive ever seen.Not able to give any information on its use.

BELOW ARE A NUMBER OF BLUE ENAMEL RING SENIOR OFFICER'S CAP BADGES

100_2094.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary post 1953.

100_2096.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary post 1953.

100_2089.jpg
Cardiff City Police. pre 1953

100_2092.jpg
Swansea Borough Police. pre 1953

100_2095.jpg
Newport Borough Police post 1953

100_2056.jpg
Pembrokeshire Police (senior officer)

Rare pre 1953 senior officers cap badge.  

100_2081.jpg
Cardiff City Police pre 1953 (sterling silver).

100_2265.jpg
Anglesey Constabulary

1937 - 1950 cap badge worn during the Reign of King George VI 

100_2283.jpg
Breconshire Special Constabulary cap badge

Special Constables cap badge that can be dated between 1937 and 1948.

100_2101.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary

100_2029.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary tunic button c1890

100_2034.jpg
South Wales Constabulary/Police insignia1969 on...

Helmet plates / cap badges / officers cap badges /  male & female officer's tunic  feathers badge pairs, Sergeants cloth & wire arm badges and a Firearms Unit beret badge.

100_1986.jpg
Anglesey Constabulary helmet plate c.1910

Anglesey County Constabulary ceased to exist after 1950 when it became part of Gwynedd. Anglesey is an island off the north Wales coast.

DSCF2232.JPG
Merionethshire Constabulary

Former small county force in Wales that ceased to exist after 1950

100_2256.jpg
Newport Borough Police c.1890

Victorian period shako badge.

100_2258.jpg
Newport Borough Police c.1895

Victorian period Newport Borough collar / epaulette badge.

100_2234.jpg
Caernarfonshire Constabulary c.1935

Chromed version of this wreath shape helmet plate.

DSCF2245.JPG
Montgomeryshire Constabulary

Rare Victorian period helmet plate of this former small Welsh county force. 

100_1990.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police

Tunic belt buckle from when this Borough force was formed in 1908.

100_1991.jpg
Newport (Monmouthshire) Boro. Police

The abbreviation 'MON' was originally used so as to not confuse force name with other small force-Newport (Isle of Wight)

100_2012.jpg
Cardiff City Police post 1905

Tunic belt buckle worn after City status grant in 1905.

100_2008.jpg
Neath Borough Police

 Q.V.C. Shako badge c1890

100_2015.jpg
Swansea County Borough Police c1890

Large 'starburst' helmet plate, collar badges and tunic button from c1890

100_2020.jpg
Carmarthen Borough Police

Post 1901 horse martingale of very small Carmarthen Borough Police in Wales. Amalgamated into Carmarthenshire in 1944.

DSCF1389.JPG
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police

Post 1905 senior officer's tunic eppaulette badge. Hallmarked silver.

100_2250.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Police post 1908

Large cap / shako badge issued from 1908. Smaller and much narrower than the helmet plate. (Has 2 x horizontal lugs).

100_2022.jpg
Newport County Borough Police c.1910

Earlier small wreath helmet plate
worn on a spike topped
6 panel helmet.

100_2277.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary c1930

Seperately fitted white metal MC letters.

DSCF2227.JPG
Cardiganshire Constabulary

Home Office 'standardisation' plate OR one made solely for detachments sent in 1952 to line the funeral procession route of King George VI

100_2021.jpg
Carmarthenshire Constabulary c1920

Large white metal helmet plate. Carmarthenshire ceased to exist from 1958. 

100_2285.jpg
Caernarfonshire Constabulary Pre 1950

Helmet plate probably from the 1940's. Caernarfonshire ceased to exist after 1950.

100_2025.jpg
Swansea Police helmet plate & tunic epp. badges

Helmet plate approx. 4"wide. This coat of arms design used from 1920's until mid 1960's. Pair of badges are big epaulette badges...not cap badges.

100_2031.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary. Post 1904

Glamorgan helmet plates ALWAYS have 3 fixing lugs. The similar but smaller, round badge that has 2 fixing lugs is a CAP badge.

100_2078.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary pre 1953

ABOVE: Helmet plate of Glamorgan.
 
BELOW: Senior officer solid silver badge. Hallmarked on the rear for 1914.

100_2079.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary senior officers epaulette badge

100_2080.jpg
Neath Borough Police cap badge. pre 1947

100_2086.jpg
Merthyr Tydfil Co. Borough Police cap badge pre 1953

100_2284.jpg
Denbighshire Constabulary pre 1953

Pre 1953 helmet plate. Denbighshire ceased to exist after 1967

100_2077.jpg
Cardiff City Police Post 1953

100_2313.jpg
Carmarthenshire & Cardiganshire Police

Helmet plate of this former Dyfed Powys Police force existed only in that name from 1958 - 1968.

100_2294.jpg
Mid-Wales Constabulary

Rare officer's cap badge.  Can be dated between 1953 & 1968. Stamped on the back 'STERLING SILVER'.

100_2292.jpg
Gwynedd Constabulary

100_2293.jpg
Dyfed Powys Constabulary

Stamped on the rear 'Sterling Silver'. 1968 - 1974

100_2093.jpg
Cardiff City Police post 1953

100_2307.jpg
Carmarthen & Cardigan Constabulary

100_2306.jpg
Gwent Constabulary

100_2267.jpg
Carmarthen Borough Police

Cap badge of this very small pre 1944 Welsh force

100_2102.jpg
Glamorgan & Cardiff pre 1953

100_2087.jpg
Newport County Boro cap & helmet pre 1953

100_2099.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary pre 1953 helmet plate

100_2098.jpg
Monmouthshire Constabulary Post 1953 helmet plate

100_2103.jpg
Newport Borough Police post 1953

100_2205.jpg
South Wales Constabulary 1993

1 of only 12 ever made Mounted Police helmet badge. Made from bullion wire / cloth.

100_2033.jpg
Insignia of old former police forces of Wales

100_2208.jpg
Glamorgan Constabulary tunic belts

©  The British Police Helmet 2006
All rights reserved