Metropolitan Police Special Branch 1 of 50.
The Metropolitan Police Special Branch was created in 1883 to counter Irish Fenian terrorism and was initially known as the Special Irish Branch.
Over time it became Special Branch and it's remit expanded to include counter espionage, proliferation, election fraud, VIP personal protection, domestic and international terrorism/extremism and port control.
In 2006, after 123 years, the decision was made to merge Special Branch with the Anti Terrorist Branch creating the Counter Terrorism Command.
One Special Branch Detective decided to mark the end of the Branch by commissioning a limited edition watch from Jorg Gray (supplier of watches to the Obama Secret Service team).
The Special Branch emblem features on the dial at the '12' and includes the letters SB in the blue ribbon. The case back is inscribed with "Special Branch 17th March 1883" (St Patrick's Day!).
As a serving Branch Detective I was able to purchase one of these watches (nobody wanted no.13 so I took it!).
It only comes out on special occasions, most recently my mother's funeral.
A small memento of a great period of my policing career and a reminder of the work we did keeping the people of London and the UK as safe as we could.
Much of what we did cannot be discussed and may never be public knowledge. But we know.
I've included a pic from Wikipedia showing some undercover SB officers from 1911.
After 30 yrs in public sector am now 7 years into a second career in the private sector.
Well done nice unique watch, oh and sincerely thanks for protecting us 👍🏻
Great post. Thank you 👍
This is really interesting, and thanks for your work in Special Branch.
I’ve got to say, I find the photo of the officers dressed up for their undercover operations in the docks hilarious. Nowadays you’d think they were headed to a fancy dress party - especially the guy with the eye patch!
It shows how times, and dress codes, have changed. Mind you, they might fit back in again in some trendy parts of Shoreditch.
This is really interesting, and thanks for your work in Special Branch.
I’ve got to say, I find the photo of the officers dressed up for their undercover operations in the docks hilarious. Nowadays you’d think they were headed to a fancy dress party - especially the guy with the eye patch!
It shows how times, and dress codes, have changed. Mind you, they might fit back in again in some trendy parts of Shoreditch.
Yes, I added that for a bit of fun. Although, a few of the surveillance officers we worked with weren't all that different!
Very cool
Great piece of history and a sweet watch