HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY NORFOLK INSIGNIA

[mjw]

Can any Forum members help identify the following white metal pin-backed badges?

I believe they "may" relate to the Norwich VTC or similar? It has also been suggested that they could be WW1 Special Constabulary!

Any help will be most appreciated.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[badjez]

Malcom,
Whilst I cannot identify yours badges, I can say that the Arms on them does not match those on my Norfolk Volunteers, City of Norwich Volunteers or Norfolk Volunteer Rifles as worn by the VTC.

Nice badges though. I would tend to go for Special Constabulary. Are there ant members who are also members of of PICA (Police Insignai Collectors Assoc)?

Stephen.

[mjw]

Hello Stephen,

Thank you for the kind reply.

The arms in the centre of those I have illustrated belong to the City of Norwich so there must be some connection with same?

Each badge is individually numbered. The lowest is 83 and the highest 2204. I assume there would be others higher in number. If so, this would indicate a Special Constabulary force being planned for the City during WW1 that was huge.

So perhaps they are not Special Constabulary or WW1?

Can any other Forum member help identify these badges. If so, I would be extremely grateful.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[daverpol]

Malcolm,

The badges in question are from The Norwich City Police & were worn above the Officers left pocket (similar to the U.S.).

[Gurkha]

Hi,
Im with Norfolk Constabulary. I will ask the guys who look after our historical collection and get back to you.
regards
Steve

[mjw]

Hello Dave and Steve,

Many thanks for the interesting replies. I appreciate your help very much. It is starting to look like they may not fit in with my collection after all. Such is life!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[daverpol]

Malcolm,

Many apologies but I need to correct a mistake.

I sent your photos to a member of the PICA who collects Police insignia from former Norfolk forces. He has informed me that they are WW1 Norwich City Police Special Constabulary lapel badges.
He also asked that If you do not require them could you bear him in mind as they are on his wants list.
If you wish I can PM his details to you.

[mjw]

Hello Dave,

Thank you for the reply and interesting update.

Feel free to forward your colleagues details.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[daverpol]

Hi Malcolm,

I've sent you a PM with his name & email address.

Dave.

[Gurkha]

This proberly isnt needed now, but I spoke to the curators of the Norfolk police historical collection. They have seen one of these before but have no idea what it is. They do not belive it to be City police at all. They have the records for WWI & WWII specials. The collar numbers do not go anywhere near the 2200 on the 3rd badge. So its a bit of a mystery as to what they are.
regards
Steve

[mjw]

Hello Steve,

Thank you for the interesting reply.

I have passed these badges onto another collector. However, I will continue to find this and any other posts on the subject of great interest.

Thank you again for all the replies to my original question.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[Hoolyboy]

Hi like most other Norfolk collectors I do have one of these in my collection.

I do have an old article about them but I will have to find it up. From memory they are Mufti type badges for Norwich WW1 Civilian Volunteers who would 'assist' the authorities. Nobody seems to be 100% what this entailed.

They are not particuarly common and are all numbered with a pin back. I was once told that there is a version with Leader on it but I have never seen one.

[norfolk regt man]

I think these are fire watcher badges, given to members of ATC,SCOUTS etc.
I have one of the leader types, worn by a fire watcher when on patrol on jarrolds in Norwich, his hut is still on top of the old store.

[norfolk regt man]

Originally Posted by norfolk regt man

I think these are fire watcher badges, given to members of ATC,SCOUTS etc.
I have one of the leader types, worn by a fire watcher when on patrol on jarrolds in Norwich, his hut is still on top of the old store.

Not any of the above , they are Norwich civilian emergency corps.

[norfolk regt man]

I have an album, showing each one I come across, hopefully in the future it will show each one seen by forum members