British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > British Military Insignia > Other Army Departments and Corps Badges

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28-10-16, 07:34 PM
Mandolin's Avatar
Mandolin Mandolin is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Default WW2 Military Police uniform

Hello! Its my first post.
I thought I might share this photo of my granddad, Augustus Savill, resplendent in his Military Police uniform during WW2.
I'm not entirely sure where he served; out East somewhere - there were mutterings of India but I'm not sure that's correct. He had been a plasterer before the war, but was very proud to have been a Redcap, and seemed to have enjoyed his time serving. He died in the 1970's.
I was wondering what might have been at the end of that chain - a whistle, perhaps? And whats the hooky thing for in the button hole above?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Gus Savill.jpg (37.7 KB, 104 views)
File Type: jpg Gus Savill hook & chain.jpg (71.8 KB, 92 views)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28-10-16, 08:33 PM
Bill A's Avatar
Bill A Bill A is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 11,529
Default

Hello Mandolin, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
That is an excellent image of your grandfather.
There is a good chance the chain and hook attachment are for a whistle.
__________________
Res ipsa loquitur
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28-10-16, 10:51 PM
David Tremain's Avatar
David Tremain David Tremain is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 1,903
Default

It's almost certainly a whistle chain, but I can't see the 'hooky thing'.

David
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28-10-16, 11:21 PM
Irv's Avatar
Irv Irv is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Freshwater IOW
Posts: 924
Default

Hi,
As an ex copper I can say it's a whistle chain and hook you can see. He has it hooked up wrong, well different to how I was show to rig it up As I can't see the other end of the chain I couldn't say for sure that he has a whistle at the end

But as he's RMP it is sure he has

Regards
Irv
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29-10-16, 12:51 AM
Mandolin's Avatar
Mandolin Mandolin is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Default

Thanks for the clarification, it didn't occur to me until after I had posted the photo that the chain and hook might be connected!
Now I'm curious as to how it should have been done, Irv....?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-11-16, 01:18 PM
Shiny's Avatar
Shiny Shiny is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Shields, Tyne and Wear
Posts: 1,016
Default

Hi Mandolin,

I'm ex RMP and I can say without any doubt that is his whistle. While he was on duty he would have had to carry his "appointments" which was his whistle, notebook, armband and warrant card.

I've attached a photo of a WW1 whistle I found on line but it is the same design as he would be wearing.

As for the correct way to wear it I have seen it worn three different ways. Some units I was in said the hook had to go flat around the underneath of the button above or below the button hole that the chain comes out of so that it couldn't be seen, others said it had to be poked out of the button hole so it was visible (in the way your grandfather is wearing it). I've also seen the chain come out of the pocket and around the edge of the jacket rather than through the button hole.

All three ways are acceptable and it was usually down to either how the individual wanted to wear it or more usually how the Regimental Sergeant Major said they would wear it.

Great photo by the way.

Hope that helps,

Michael
Attached Images
File Type: jpg WW1-British-Military-WHISTLE-with-metal-chain-I-_57.jpg (53.5 KB, 18 views)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-11-16, 04:26 AM
Mandolin's Avatar
Mandolin Mandolin is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Default

Brilliant! Thanks so much.

(I think we might still have the whistle. Its one of those things that gets lost in plain sight hanging on the dog lead hooks for the past few decades...)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-11-16, 07:24 AM
yorkstone's Avatar
yorkstone yorkstone is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 1,067
Default

Mandolin,
You should be able to claim his records through the Veterans Agency log on and follow the link to claim his records so long as you have his service number it is quite simple.

Regards

Stephen
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-11-16, 03:36 PM
Mike B Mike B is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North West
Posts: 2,576
Default

This is the link Stephen refers to

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military...-elses-records

You will see there are separate routes for 'next of kin' and 'not next of kin'. From memory a charge of about £30 is made. It can take a few weeks but helps fill in gaps for sure. Also I think a telephone enquiry may yield guidance if required

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-11-16, 09:35 PM
Mandolin's Avatar
Mandolin Mandolin is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Default

Thank you both; I'll try to find his number so I can go ahead and look up his records.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
military police, redcap, ww2 mp

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 06:41 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.