Gurkha Military Police Badge

[gurkharifles]

There's a lot of interest in this for a fantasy badge? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3614616498...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I've had one in my collection for a long time but never considered it to be more than an interesting curio. Kings Crown with ER11 cypher ? Brass ? Certainly not worn by the Corps.

[High Wood]

£44 is a lot of money for a fake badge.

[Gurkha]

It's total rubbish, a bazar made fantasy piece. I spent days researching the dress and insignia at the National archives as well as being in touch with numerous ex members of the GMP working on a potted history and article for a magazine. I have seen a couple of brass ones and a white metal one. The only 'unoffical badge' is the Bonniface badge. RMP badges were worn from the formation with a brief interlude of the Bonniface badge before the 'offical' GMP badge was introduced this was in gold AA with silver or silver plate for WO's and officers. WM ones advertised on E bay as 'NCO's' badges were not worn.
I was amazed so many people bid on this junk!!!!

Regards

Steve

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by Gurkha

The only 'unoffical badge' is the Bonniface badge. RMP badges were worn from the formation with a brief interlude of the Bonniface badge before the 'offical' GMP badge was introduced this was in gold AA with silver or silver plate for WO's and officers. WM ones advertised on E bay as 'NCO's' badges were not worn.

Hi Steve,

I'm new to all this, what is a Bonniface badge?

Michael

[Gurkha]

Major bonniface was the OC of the RMP 17 Prov coy he decided he would have his own design of badge as you do, It was locally made. He was quite publically slapped down by the Col and they went back to RMP badges until the design for GMP was approved.

Regards Steve

[Phil2M]

I stuck a low bid on this badge, just as a reference/curio. I was amazed at the end result!

Still after a silver example and the badge pictured above

[Shiny]

Thanks a lot for the help Steve,

As it happens I've just bought a GMP cap badge this weekend, from your post I'm assuming it must be a WO / officers one, does that look about right?

Michael

[Gurkha]

To be honest, no its the mass produced WM one which were never worn. The officers/ WO's ones should be either silver which will be marked as such or Silver plate which will have the letter 'P' for plate on the rear. The quality is also superior.

regards

steve

[Shiny]

Thanks Steve,

I didn't pay a lot for it so it's good to know what I have.

Michael

[Shiny]

Hi All,

Following on from my earlier post on this thread, I've recently bought this Gurkha Military Police cap badge and was hoping for an opinion on it.

I can't see any marks or letters on it but it does feel like a silver one to me. Again I didn't pay much for it but I would like to know if this one is likely to have been in use.

Thanks,

Michael

[Gurkha]

If its WM and it appears to be from the pictures, then no (see above posts). OR's had Gold AA badges and Officers/Warrant officers Silver or silver plate.

regards
Steve

[tonyb]

Was a brass version of the above badge (post #10) ever worn?
Cheers Tony.

[sailorbear]

Question is why would a "WW2" badge with a Kings Crown have the E"R Royal cypher on it?

[peter monahan]

Originally Posted by Gurkha

I was amazed so many people bid on this junk!!!!

Steve

Sadly, many people have neither the time nor the resources to do your level of research, Steve. And I mean that in the most sincere and admiring way. OTOH, it's also why, even when I bought IA badges as opposed to just researching them, I steered away from Gurkha stuff: far too many buyers entranced by the legend and ready to snap up anything they think says 'elite'.

Having had the privilige of knowing two ex-gurkha Colonels and a very few of the 'jawans' I agree that they are superb soldiers - like the paras, SEALS, .... - but like you and I and the Pope and anyone else you care to name, still put their pants on one leg at a time. Shiny badges do not a hero make!