Issued to Police Constable 14 Alfred Lear, who joined the TVR (Taff Vale Railway)Police in 1858. He is recorded as 'Walking Line'. The other two TVR truncheons shown are no. 5: - PC 5 Richard Isaac, who joined the TVR Police in 1858 and is shown as being stationed at 'East Branch', and no.6: - PC 6 John Washer, who again joined the TVR in 1858, and also recorded as being stationed at 'East Branch'.

Officers of the TVR did not wear a uniform until at least 1849. A newspaper report of 27th January 1849 reports that the TVR police Superintendent had recently adopted a uniform and the whole force would soon follow as ‘an official costume invariably adds much to a man’s authority’.

The year 1858 crops up a lot during research and it seems quite possible that there was an increase in numbers of officers at around this time, which would tie in with the opening of several coal mines in south Wales and the need for the coal mine owners to get their coal from the valleys to the south Wales ports, which themselves were undergoing major construction and expansion.

In 1858, tailor George BIRD was in charge of the issue of uniforms to the Taff Vale Railway police. Bird had previously been uniform tailor to Cardiff Borough Police and the Bute Dock Watchmen.

The uniform included a frock coat, one pair each of blue cloth and white cotton drill trousers, a stock (cravat) and a top hat. At the time (1858) the force had at least sixty four officers.

Photos show 3 x TVR truncheons, a South Wales Railway police truncheon (no. 33), a Rhymney Railway truncheon (no 18) a Newport Harbour Commission police truncheon (NHC), and one for the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Company police.

Truncheons are part of the Ross Mather Police Collection - www.britishpolicehelmet.co.uk