Name/Title
Sussex Constabulary Special Constabulary Long Service Medal c1970Entry/Object ID
2503Description
Small white card box containing Queen Eliazabeth II Special Constabulary Long Service medal and ribbon, together with spare ribbons for attaching to uniform. The box is marked "10 Sussex Inspr. William F. Turner" and the rim of the medal is inscribed "Inspr. William F Turner".Use
For awarding to a special constable with 9 years serviceContext
The Special Constabulary Long Service medal was first instituted in 1919, as the Special Constabulary Medal, to acknowledge the contribution made by members of the special constabulary during the First World War. It was later change to the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal and awarded to recognise 9 year's service. In addition claps are awarded to the medal ribbon for additional periods of service. Initially this was for every ten years but in 2022 it was reduced to 5 years. Service during World War Two was tripled.
This particular medal was awarded to William Frederick Turner who joined Brighton Borough Police Special Constabulary in 1961. He went onto serve in Sussex Constabulary and was promoted to a special sergeant in 1969. He would have been eligible for the medal in June 1970, so this medal must have been awarded sometime after then. As it is inscribed "Inspr", by the time he was given it he must have been promoted again, and indeed the museum has two sets of his inspector's epaulettes.