Liverpool Police white metal wreath helmet badge 1929 - 1934
Entry/Object ID
2560
Description
White metal wreath style helmet badge with Liver Bird centre and marked "Liverpool Police' in the garter. One lug is missing from the rear.
Use
For use on day duty by Liverpool Police constables and sergeants from 1929 to 1934.
Context
This badge was used by Angus Cargill who was the chief constable of Hastings Police from 1942 until 1954. Prior to leading Hastings he had been an officer in Liverpool Police, joining in 1928. Initially he had to become a member of the police fire brigade as there were no vacancies in the police force proper. He was promoted to sergeant in 1934 and inspector in 1939. When appointed to Hastings he was a Divisional Inspector in Liverpool, having been awarded the British Empire Medal in 1942 for his work organising Air Raid Precaution control in the city. It is interesting that despite being Scots, both Cargill and his brother joined the Liverpool force.
This design of badge being white metal, also known as nickel silver, was used in Liverpool on the helmets of constables and sergeants from 1929 until 1934, when it was replaced by a chrome plated version. These white metal and chrome badges were used for day duty and a black version was used for nights. This one would have been used by Cargill prior to promotion to inspector and probably dates from him serving as a constable in the early 1930s.
