Members, British Legion Volunteer Police Force, 1938.jpg

During the Sudetenland Crisis of 1938 Hitler demanded the withdrawal of Czech forces from the disputed area to allow a plebiscite. This had the potential to leave a power vacuum that could destabilise the area further. Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, used an offer from the President of the British Legion to suggest the use of BL volunteers as a makeshift police force. Hence the BLVPF was formed.

Of 10,000 volunteers, 1,200 were selected for the task. They were trained and supplied with a uniform that was a cross between a civil suit and British police attire. As shown here it was dark blue in colour with red necktie and armband. The cap bore a specific badge for the organisation. Apart from the cap, jacket and trousers, a greatcoat was also provided.

On 8 October the members were sworn in as special constables and boarded a ship for Bremen. Before it left port the plebiscite was deemed unnecessary, and so was the BLVPF. It was disbanded on 15 October and its members returned home.

At the bottom of the page is shown the greatcoat issued to the members, note his weapon' the walking stick. Below that the badge of the organisation (from the Royal British Legion website). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Legion_Volunteer_Police_Force