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#16
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Large cap badge
Dave, There was an BHP Inspector called Hume who had a large collection of police badges from around the world and it was covered in a local newspaper during 1937 & 46. He displayed it in his office in the BHP station in Corporation Square. In that collection was the large BHP badge, it was of the early helmet of that period. The collection on his death was bought by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland and is presently on display in their offices in Belfast. The badges relating to Northern Ireland / Ireland are on display in their conference room and that is where I photographed them. I hope this helps.
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#17
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Large cap badge
Dave, I forgot to mention that there is a smaller version of the large helmet badge as well which eventually replaced the large helmet badge.
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#18
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Yes, I knew Hughie Hulme (note the spelling of his surname) very well and am very familiar with his collection of Belfast Harbour badges. There was some dispute over the ownership of his collection. He actually had a very large collection of insignia from the UK in addition to his Irish items. During his service with BHP he used their stock of badges (in their stores) to trade with other collectors throughout the UK. At the time of his retirement the Belfast Harbour Commissioners (via the Ch. Con.) maintained that the collection was their property. Hughie said that if they wanted the collection they would have to buy it from him. They refused maintaining that he had used their property (badges) to assemble it. The impasse was not resolved and Hughie took the badges home with him.
After Hughie's death his daughter asked the Belfast Harbour Commissioners if they wanted to buy the collection. They refused, maintaining their previous stance. She offered it to the RUC. They were not interested, however the Federation were and subsequently bought it. It was at one time displayed in their offices in Belfast. I don't know if it is still there. I have photos of the entire collection in its original state. However, I understand that over the years many of the non-Irish items have "disappeared". Now, on to the large helmet plate (black 8 pointed star with white metal garter/anchor centre). This badge is totally spurious. It is made up of the backing plate from a London Transport Police helmet badge with the BHP garter mounted in the centre. Hughie made the badge up himself. It was never a badge used by BHP. In the 1980's a BHP Detective Sergeant, (I have his name, but not to hand) researched the lineage of their insignia from start to finish with examination of the minutes of the Commissioners, items in their stores, and their historical photos. The dates which are in my book are in accord with his research. I hope this is helpful. Dave. _ |
#19
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BHP badge
Dave, Are you per chance Dave Wilkinson? Thanks for the update. My research found that there is reference to a white badge on the original shako/top hat type of headgear but the then I discovered this in the Feds offices. The current BHP men are totally in th dark regarding their history. I have written a number of books on the ADRIC and recently the RUCGC's specialist units. I was approached by the BHP Chief Officer to start digging as they are contemplating a BHP museum whenever the new BHP station is built, when that is I don't know? Do you have any copies of your book as I saw on other posts an image regarding the BHP badges but it was not the whole article? I had been a Temp Const in BHP in the late 1970s and had a normal voided cap badge. I have only seen unvoided badges in militaria fairs and on eBay for sale. I have never come across any paperwork in BHP or BHC records re purchasing these unvoided badges but I am always open to be corrected if I am wrong. Could you please contact me on mccall.ernest@gmail.com so I can chase up the D/Sgt you refer to.
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#20
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Dave. |
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