The Royal Military Police Cap Badge: History, Symbolism and Collecting Guide

Introduction

The Royal Military Police (RMP) cap badge is one of the most recognisable emblems worn in the British Army. Instantly identifiable by its elegant laurel wreath surrounding the Royal Cypher and surmounted by the Crown, it represents a Corps whose role has always been to uphold discipline, enforce military law and support British Army operations around the world.

Known throughout the Army as the "Redcaps" — a nickname derived from the scarlet covers worn on their peaked caps and scarlet-coloured berets — the Royal Military Police have served alongside British soldiers in every major conflict of the modern era. From directing military traffic during the Second World War to conducting criminal investigations, close protection operations and policing deployed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Corps has earned a reputation for professionalism, integrity and impartiality.

The Corps motto — Exemplo Ducemus, meaning "By Example Shall We Lead" — encapsulates the standard to which every Royal Military Police soldier is held. It is not merely an aspiration but an operational requirement: in an organisation whose authority depends on the trust and respect of the soldiers it polices, leading by example is the foundation of everything the Corps does.

To the casual observer, the badge is a clean and authoritative design — wreath, cypher, crown and scroll. To the military historian and serious collector, however, each element carries layers of meaning that connect the Corps to centuries of military policing tradition and to the reigning monarchs under whose authority its soldiers have served. Crown and cypher variations alone span the reigns of George VI, Elizabeth II and Charles III, giving the badge a built-in chronological framework that rewards systematic collecting.

For veterans, serving personnel, military historians and collectors alike, the Royal Military Police cap badge is far more than a piece of military insignia. It is a symbol of authority, service and a proud Corps whose history stretches back to the seventeenth century.

About This Guide

This article has been researched and written by Precision Military Emblems, a specialist producer of officially licensed British military emblems and museum-style heritage displays. Every article in our Military Heritage series is created to museum standards of research, drawing on primary sources, regimental histories, official records and authoritative secondary sources to preserve the stories, symbolism and traditions behind Britain's regiments and corps. The same commitment to historical accuracy that informs every article also informs every officially licensed emblem and display we produce.

Precision Military Emblems holds official Ministry of Defence licences to produce emblems and heritage displays for a growing range of British Army regiments and corps. Our products are not generic reproductions — they are the result of the same depth of research you are reading now, translated into officially licensed, museum-style heritage displays designed to help collectors, veterans, serving personnel, families and future generations celebrate Britain's military heritage with confidence.

At Precision Military Emblems, we believe every British military emblem tells a story. Behind each cap badge lies a history of service, sacrifice, courage and regimental pride. Our mission is to preserve those stories through meticulous historical research and officially licensed museum-style heritage displays that honour Britain's Armed Forces for generations to come.

Unlike many retailers, we don't simply reproduce military emblems — we research, interpret and preserve the history behind them, ensuring every officially licensed product is built upon the same commitment to historical accuracy found throughout our Military Heritage series.

Who Are the Royal Military Police?

The Royal Military Police — universally known as the RMP or the Redcaps — is the British Army's military police corps, responsible for policing, law enforcement, criminal investigation, close protection and detention operations across every theatre in which the British Army serves. The Corps traces its origins to the Provost Service established when the British Army was first formed in the 1660s, and its modern lineage to the Mounted Military Police formed at Aldershot in 1855.

The Corps motto — Exemplo Ducemus, "By Example Shall We Lead" — defines both its standards and its identity. RMP soldiers are required to uphold the law impartially, maintain discipline within the Army, and conduct themselves to the highest professional standard at all times. Their authority within the British Army depends entirely on the trust and respect of the soldiers they police — making the motto not merely an aspiration but an operational necessity.

Since 1992, the Royal Military Police has formed part of the Provost Branch within the Adjutant General's Corps (AGC), alongside the Military Provost Staff Corps and the Military Provost Guard Service. Each retains its own identity and cap badge within the wider AGC structure.

Key Dates: A Timeline of the Royal Military Police

Year	Event
1660s	Provost Service established when the British Army was first formed; operated only in times of war.
1813	Staff Corps of Cavalry created to supplement the Provost Service during the Peninsular War.
1855	Mounted Military Police formed at Aldershot — the direct ancestor of today's Royal Military Police.
1877	Renamed the Corps of Military Mounted Police.
1885	Corps of Military Foot Police formed, originally raised for service in Egypt in 1882.
1914–1918	First World War; Military Police grows from 508 to over 25,000 all ranks across every theatre.
1926	Corps of Military Mounted Police and Corps of Military Foot Police amalgamated to form the Corps of Military Police on 27 February.
1939–1945	Second World War; Corps grows from 4,121 to over 50,000 all ranks across multiple specialist branches.
1946	King George VI grants the 'Royal' prefix on 28 November; Corps becomes the Corps of Royal Military Police.
1952	St Edward's Crown adopted on the cap badge following the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
1992	Royal Military Police becomes part of the Provost Branch within the newly formed Adjutant General's Corps.
2022	Tudor Crown and the CIIIR Royal Cypher introduced following the accession of King Charles III.

The History of the Royal Military Police

When the British Army was first established in the 1660s, a Provost Service was set up and given responsibility for military policing. However, it only operated in times of war. In 1813, a Staff Corps of Cavalry was created to supplement the work of the Provost Service during the Peninsular War (1808–14), lasting less than a decade. A similarly short-lived unit, the Mounted Staff Corps, existed for the duration of the Crimean War (1854–55).

The Mounted Military Police and Military Foot Police

Today's Royal Military Police traces its origins back to 1855, when the Mounted Military Police was formed to maintain order in and around the Army's new camp at Aldershot, initially drawing its personnel from the 2nd Dragoon Guards, the 3rd Light Dragoons, the 15th Light Dragoons and the 17th Lancers. In 1877, it was renamed the Corps of Military Mounted Police. An equivalent Corps of Military Foot Police followed in 1885, originally raised for service in Egypt three years previously.

Although technically two independent corps, they effectively functioned as a single organisation. Originally, the Military Police had only recruited men already serving in the Army; however, with war once again looming, it allowed civilians to enlist directly from 1938.

The First World War

During the First World War (1914–18), the British Army grew rapidly and so did its two police corps. Their new wartime responsibilities included traffic control, marshalling prisoners and returning lost soldiers to their regiments. The Military Police grew from 508 all ranks to over 25,000 all ranks by the end of the war. During the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, the Military Police served the Army as a whole rather than individual units — a significant development in the Corps' operational role. Both units were reduced in strength at the end of the conflict before being amalgamated to form the Corps of Military Police on 27 February 1926.

From 1935, the Corps was subdivided into fixed-size companies and sections. It set up a Field Security Wing in 1937, which became the Intelligence Corps three years later.

The Second World War

The Corps' size increased more than sevenfold during the Second World War (1939–45), growing from 4,121 to over 50,000 all ranks. New specialist branches included:

• Special Investigation Branch — formed in 1940 with 19 detectives transferred from the Metropolitan Police, providing the Corps with its own Criminal Investigation Department for serious offences including murder and organised crime.
• Provost Wing — responsible for general policing, deployed with Home Commands, Armoured, Infantry and Airborne Divisions, at Army and Corps level, and with independent Brigades.
• Ports Provost Wing — raised to work in harbours overseas, providing policing and security duties within ports and docks.
• Vulnerable Points Wing — formed in 1941 to guard key installations, known as "blue caps" from the Oxford blue cloth covers worn on their service dress caps.
• Traffic Control Wing — formed in 1941, deployed throughout the United Kingdom and later in the Middle East, Italy and North-West Europe.
• Parachute Provost — providing military policing capability for airborne operations.
• Field Security Police Wing — a further specialist security element operating alongside the main Corps structure.

The Corps also helped the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) to form its own Provost Section in 1942.

On 28 November 1946, King George VI granted the 'Royal' prefix to the Corps of Military Police in recognition of its outstanding wartime service, and the Corps became known as the Corps of Royal Military Police, abbreviated to Royal Military Police (RMP).

The Provost Branch and the Adjutant General's Corps

In 1992, the Royal Military Police became part of the Provost Branch within the newly formed Adjutant General's Corps (AGC). The Provost Branch comprises three organisations, each retaining its own identity and cap badge: the Royal Military Police, the Military Provost Staff Corps and the Military Provost Guard Service. Since its formation, the RMP has been active in almost every operational theatre and in every Army garrison around the world.

Non-commissioned members of the RMP receive their basic training at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright before undertaking further specialist training at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding (DSPG) at Southwick Park. The regimental march of the RMP is "The Watchtower" (also known as "Hoch Heidecksburg"), originally a German Army marching tune from 1912 by Rudolf Herzer.

Understanding the Royal Military Police Cap Badge

The Royal Military Police cap badge achieves its effect through clarity and authority rather than heraldic complexity. Where many British Army cap badges layer multiple devices into intricate compositions, the RMP badge presents a clean, immediately legible design whose power lies in the weight of its individual elements rather than their number.

The Royal Cypher

At the centre of the badge is the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch — the interlaced initials of the sovereign, rendered in a formal heraldic style that reflects the Corps' direct service to the Crown and reinforces its authority within the British Army.

The cypher is not merely decorative. It is a statement of constitutional relationship: the Royal Military Police derives its authority from the Crown, and the presence of the Royal Cypher at the heart of the badge makes that relationship visible and permanent. Every soldier who wears the badge does so under the authority of the monarch whose cypher it bears.

For collectors, the cypher is one of the most important dating tools available. The George VI cypher (GVI R) appears on badges produced from the Corps' royal designation on 28 November 1946 until his death in 1952. The Elizabeth II cypher (EIIR) was used for over seventy years, from 1952 until September 2022, and represents by far the most commonly encountered variant in the collector market. The Charles III cypher (CIIIR) has been introduced following the King's accession and represents the newest and currently rarest variant.

The Laurel Wreath

Surrounding the Royal Cypher is a beautifully detailed laurel wreath — one of the most enduring motifs in British military heraldry and one whose symbolic resonance stretches back to the classical world. The laurel wreath has been associated with honour, achievement and victory since antiquity, and within the Royal Military Police badge it represents the Corps' record of distinguished service across more than a century of British military history.

For collectors, the quality of the wreath's rendering is one of the most reliable indicators of badge quality and manufacturing period. On fine officer examples, the individual leaves are sharply defined, the berries clearly modelled and the overall finish rich and consistent. On lesser pieces, the wreath may appear flattened or indistinct.

The Crown

Above the wreath sits the Crown, symbolising loyalty to the Sovereign and the Royal authority under which the Corps serves. Although veterans, serving personnel and collectors commonly refer to "King's Crown" and "Queen's Crown" badges, the heraldically correct names are the Tudor Crown and St Edward's Crown. These describe the crown design chosen by the Sovereign, rather than being determined simply by whether the monarch is a king or queen.

The Tudor Crown (King's Crown) appears on badges produced during the reigns of George VI and, from 2022, King Charles III. The St Edward's Crown (Queen's Crown) — a more rounded, cushion-shaped form, visibly distinct from the Tudor Crown — was used on badges produced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from the early 1950s until 2022. The transition between Crown types provides a reliable dating framework for collectors.

The Scroll

Beneath the wreath is a scroll bearing the title Royal Military Police, completing the badge and clearly identifying the Corps. The legibility and definition of the scroll lettering varies between manufacturing periods and between officer and other rank examples, and is a useful guide to badge quality when assessing examples in the collector market.

The Red Cap and Corps Colours

No discussion of the Royal Military Police would be complete without mentioning the famous red cap — the scarlet cap cover that has given the Corps its most enduring nickname. The red cap is worn during policing duties, ceremonial occasions and whenever RMP personnel are performing their military policing role, making RMP soldiers immediately identifiable in any military environment. The Corps colours of red and blue are reflected across RMP dress distinctions including the stable belt. The nickname "Redcaps" is recognised throughout the British Army and by allied armed forces around the world.

Operational Legacy: A Century of Service

The Royal Military Police has served in virtually every major British military commitment since the Corps' modern formation in 1855. Its operational record spans two World Wars, the Cold War, and the full range of post-Cold War expeditionary operations — adapting its methods and capabilities to the specific demands of each theatre while maintaining the professional standards that define the Corps.

The First and Second World Wars

The Corps' wartime service between 1914 and 1918 transformed military policing from a small specialist function into a major operational capability, growing from 508 to over 25,000 all ranks. The Second World War (1939–45) was the defining period in the Corps' institutional history: growing from 4,121 to over 50,000 all ranks across multiple specialist branches, it performed duties essential to the functioning of a modern mass army across every theatre of the war, earning the Royal prefix granted by King George VI on 28 November 1946.

Post-War Operations

Since 1945, the Royal Military Police has been active in almost every operational theatre and in every Army garrison around the world. In Malaya, RMP units supported internal security operations during the Emergency (1948–60). In Aden, the Corps policed a complex and dangerous urban environment during the withdrawal from South Arabia. In Northern Ireland, RMP soldiers served throughout the Troubles, conducting policing and investigative duties in one of the most demanding operational environments the British Army has faced in the post-war era.

In the Falklands (1982), RMP detachments deployed with the Task Force, providing provost support throughout the campaign. In the Gulf War (1991), the Corps deployed with British forces as part of Operation Granby, conducting traffic control, prisoner handling and law enforcement across the theatre. In the Balkans — Bosnia and Kosovo — RMP units supported peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations throughout the 1990s, working alongside allied military police forces in a complex multinational environment.

In Iraq (2003–2009) and Afghanistan (2001–2014), the Royal Military Police deployed in significant numbers, conducting the full range of military policing tasks — criminal investigation through the Special Investigation Branch, close protection of senior commanders, detention operations, and the training and mentoring of local police forces. In each theatre, the Corps demonstrated the flexibility and professionalism that have characterised military policing throughout its history.

Modern Roles

Historically, serious criminal investigation within the Royal Military Police was conducted through the Special Investigation Branch (SIB), formed in 1940. Since the creation of the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in December 2022, serious crime investigations across Defence are now handled through a tri-service structure, while the RMP continues to provide military policing, law enforcement and investigative capability as part of the wider Service Police system. The Corps works in close coordination with the Intelligence Corps — which grew directly from the Military Police's own Field Security Wing in 1940 — and with the wider Adjutant General's Corps structure.

Collecting Royal Military Police Cap Badges

Royal Military Police cap badges occupy a distinctive and rewarding niche within British military badge collecting. The RMP badge has maintained a consistent and recognisable design throughout its history, with variations largely limited to the Royal Cypher and Crown — making each change a direct reflection of Britain's reigning monarchs and providing a clear chronological framework that rewards systematic collecting.

George VI Tudor Crown ("King's Crown") Badges

Badges produced from 28 November 1946 — when the Royal prefix was granted — until the death of King George VI in 1952 are the earliest and most historically significant RMP examples. These bear the GVI R cypher and the Tudor Crown (commonly known as the King's Crown). Less commonly encountered than later pieces, they command a premium in good condition and are particularly sought after by collectors with a specific interest in the Corps' early post-war history.

Elizabeth II St Edward's Crown ("Queen's Crown") Badges

The majority of RMP cap badges encountered by collectors will be St Edward's Crown (Queen's Crown) versions, produced between 1952 and 2022 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. These bear the EIIR cypher and span over seventy years of production across gilding metal, bi-metal and Staybrite anodised aluminium variants. Within this broad category, collectors should look for variations in construction method, metal composition and maker's marks that can help establish the period of manufacture more precisely. Early St Edward's Crown badges are typically constructed from gilded or silvered brass with hand-soldered fittings; from the late 1950s onwards, Staybrite anodised aluminium badges were introduced as a more practical alternative for everyday wear.

Charles III Tudor Crown ("King's Crown") Badges

Charles III Tudor Crown variants, bearing the CIIIR cypher and the Tudor Crown (King's Crown), have been introduced from 2022 following the King's accession. These are the newest and currently rarest category of RMP cap badge, and represent the beginning of a new collecting chapter for the Corps' insignia.

Officer Badges

As with other British Army corps, officers' RMP cap badges were typically produced to a higher standard than other-ranks' badges — displaying finer craftsmanship, sharper wreath detail, crisper cypher definition and richer finish. Officers' badges are among the most desirable items for serious collectors and command a significant premium. They are most commonly encountered in gilded brass or silver plate, with higher-quality reverse fittings than standard issue examples.

Recognised Manufacturers and Maker's Marks

Several makers are particularly associated with quality Royal Military Police cap badges. J.R. Gaunt & Son of London and Birmingham and Firmin & Sons of London — both long-established suppliers of British Army insignia — are among the most respected names, and their marks are widely regarded as reliable indicators of quality and authenticity. Ludlow is another recognised maker whose marks appear on period RMP badges. Later production badges, particularly from the 1960s onwards, were also produced in Staybrite anodised aluminium by various approved manufacturers. Maker's marks are typically found on the reverse of the badge, either stamped into the metal or on a small label.

Assessing Authenticity

When assessing any RMP badge, collectors should examine the sharpness of the laurel wreath, the definition of the Royal Cypher, the quality of the Crown modelling, the legibility of the scroll lettering, and the condition and type of the reverse fittings. Key indicators of a genuine period badge include appropriate wear patterns consistent with actual use, period-correct construction methods, correct weight and metal composition, and maker's marks from recognised manufacturers. When in doubt, consult a specialist militaria dealer or the Royal Military Police Museum.

Provenance

Provenance is the single most important factor in determining the value and historical significance of an original Royal Military Police cap badge. Badges accompanied by service photographs, military documents, named service records or other material that establishes a direct connection to a specific soldier tell a far richer story than anonymous examples — and are considerably more desirable to serious collectors and institutions alike.

A badge that can be linked to a named soldier, a specific campaign or a particular period of service carries with it a human story that no amount of physical condition can replicate. Collectors should always seek to preserve any accompanying documentation, and should record the provenance of their own pieces in writing for the benefit of future owners. When acquiring badges, ask the seller directly about provenance and request copies of any supporting documentation. A badge with a clear, documented history will always command a premium over an otherwise identical example without one.

Displaying the Royal Military Police Cap Badge

Whether displaying an original period badge or a heritage display inspired by the Royal Military Police's insignia, correct preservation and presentation are essential to ensure that the badge can be appreciated by future generations. Museum-style display frames incorporating UV-protective acrylic or conservation-grade glazing and acid-free mounting materials offer the best protection for displayed badges. Badges should be kept in a stable environment, away from direct sunlight and significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Original period badges should always be handled with clean cotton gloves to prevent damage from the oils and acids present in human skin.

Many collectors choose to display their RMP badge alongside service medals, photographs and other memorabilia, creating a comprehensive tribute to an individual's military service that tells the full story of their career in the Corps. At Precision Military Emblems, our Royal Military Police Queen's Crown Display Frame and Royal Military Police King's Crown Display Frame are purpose-built to present the RMP emblem alongside medals and service photographs — each one designed with the same attention to historical accuracy that informs our research.

Why Collectors Value the Badge

The Royal Military Police cap badge holds a distinctive place in British military badge collecting. Its consistent design means the collecting framework is defined by Crown and cypher variations rather than complex amalgamation histories. Its direct connection to the monarchy through the Royal Cypher gives it constitutional significance few other badges share. Its operational record connects it to virtually every major British military commitment of the past eighty years. And the enduring recognition of the Redcaps gives the badge a cultural resonance that extends well beyond the collector community. Unlike many British Army cap badges that changed through repeated amalgamations, the Royal Military Police badge has remained remarkably consistent, allowing collectors to study subtle changes in the Crown, Royal Cypher, manufacturing techniques, maker's marks and construction across successive reigns.

The Corps' Heritage Today

The Royal Military Police continues to serve as an active part of the British Army within the Provost Branch of the Adjutant General's Corps, alongside the Military Provost Staff Corps and the Military Provost Guard Service. The Corps' heritage is preserved and celebrated through several institutions at and around Southwick Park in Hampshire — the home of the Royal Military Police.

The Royal Military Police Museum at Southwick Park holds the Corps' collections, archives and material culture, providing an essential resource for researchers, collectors, veterans and families. The Defence School of Policing and Guarding (DSPG), also based at Southwick Park, is where RMP soldiers undertake their specialist training — making Southwick Park both the living home of the Corps and the custodian of its history. Veterans of the Corps are supported by the Royal Military Police Association (RMPA), which maintains the comradeship and welfare of former Redcaps and keeps the Corps' traditions alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the elements of the Royal Military Police cap badge?

The Royal Military Police cap badge consists of four principal elements: a laurel wreath surrounding the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch, a Royal Crown surmounting the design, and a scroll beneath bearing the title Royal Military Police. Together these elements represent the Corps' authority, its loyalty to the Sovereign, and its record of distinguished service.

What does Exemplo Ducemus mean?

Exemplo Ducemus is a Latin phrase meaning "By Example Shall We Lead". It is the Royal Military Police's Corps motto, reflecting the standard to which every RMP soldier is held. In an organisation whose authority depends on the trust and respect of the soldiers it polices, leading by example is not merely an aspiration but an operational requirement.

Why are the Royal Military Police called Redcaps?

The nickname Redcaps derives from the scarlet cap covers worn by Royal Military Police soldiers on their peaked caps and scarlet-coloured berets. The red cap makes RMP soldiers immediately identifiable in any military environment and has been worn on operations from the Western Desert to Afghanistan. The nickname is recognised throughout the British Army and by allied armed forces around the world.

When was the Royal Military Police established?

The Royal Military Police traces its modern lineage to the Mounted Military Police formed at Aldershot in 1855. The two predecessor corps — the Corps of Military Mounted Police and the Corps of Military Foot Police — were amalgamated on 27 February 1926 to form the Corps of Military Police. The 'Royal' prefix was granted by King George VI on 28 November 1946 in recognition of the Corps' outstanding wartime service.

What is the difference between the King's Crown and Queen's Crown versions?

Although veterans, serving personnel and collectors commonly refer to King's Crown and Queen's Crown badges, the heraldically correct names are the Tudor Crown and St Edward's Crown. These describe the crown design chosen by the Sovereign, rather than being determined simply by whether the monarch is a king or queen. The Tudor Crown (King's Crown) appears on badges from the reigns of George VI (from 1946) and Charles III (from 2022); the St Edward's Crown (Queen's Crown) — a more rounded, cushion-shaped form — was used during the reign of Elizabeth II (1952–2022). The cypher also changes with each monarch: GVI R, EIIR and CIIIR respectively.

What is the Special Investigation Branch?

The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) was the Royal Military Police's criminal investigation department, formed in 1940 with 19 detectives transferred from the Metropolitan Police. Since December 2022, serious crime investigations across Defence are handled by the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU), a tri-service organisation. The RMP continues to provide military policing and investigative capability as part of the wider Service Police system.

How can I tell if a Royal Military Police cap badge is genuine?

Key indicators of a genuine period badge include appropriate wear patterns consistent with actual use, period-correct construction methods, correct weight and metal composition, and maker's marks from recognised manufacturers such as J.R. Gaunt & Son, Firmin & Sons or Ludlow. The form of the Royal Crown and the Royal Cypher help establish the period of manufacture. Provenance documentation significantly enhances both authenticity and value. When in doubt, consult a specialist militaria dealer or the Royal Military Police Museum at Southwick Park.

The Royal Military Police's Enduring Legacy

The Royal Military Police has served the British Army for more than a century and a half, from the Mounted Military Police formed at Aldershot in 1855 to modern operations across the globe. Its cap badge — bearing the laurel wreath of honour, the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch, the Crown of loyalty, and the scroll of identity — is one of the most authoritative and immediately recognisable pieces of British military insignia ever produced.

For veterans of the Corps, it is a permanent reminder of their service, their comrades and the motto they lived by: Exemplo Ducemus — By Example Shall We Lead. For collectors of British military insignia, it is a rewarding and historically significant piece whose Crown and cypher variations provide a clear and satisfying collecting framework. For all who encounter it, it is a testament to the men and women who have upheld military law, maintained discipline and supported British Army operations — everywhere — for generations.

Officially Licensed Royal Military Police Emblems & Heritage Displays

The history you have just read — from the Provost Service of the 1660s to modern operations in Afghanistan — is the history that Precision Military Emblems exists to honour. Every officially licensed British military emblem and museum-style heritage display we produce begins with the same meticulous historical research you have just explored. That research is the foundation of every article we publish and every officially licensed product we create.

Browse our full range of Royal Military Police cap badges, display frames and officially licensed heritage displays — each produced under official MOD licence to the highest standards, and each built upon the same commitment to historical accuracy that informs every article in our Military Heritage series. Whether you are commemorating your own service, preserving a family member's military history, or adding to a collection of British military heritage, our museum-style heritage displays are purpose-designed to present the RMP emblem alongside medals and service photographs as a lasting tribute to the Redcaps.

Further Reading

For those wishing to explore the history of the Royal Military Police and its cap badge in greater depth, the following authoritative sources are organised by category.

Official Resources

• Royal Military Police — British Army (Official) — The official British Army page for the Royal Military Police, covering the Corps' current role, structure and heritage.

Museums & Heritage

• Royal Military Police Museum — Located at Southwick Park in Hampshire, the RMP Museum holds the Corps' collections, archives and material culture. An essential resource for researchers, collectors, veterans and families tracing military service.

• Defence School of Policing and Guarding (DSPG) — Based at Southwick Park, the DSPG is where Royal Military Police soldiers undertake specialist training, making Southwick Park both the living home of the Corps and the custodian of its history.

National Collections

• National Army Museum — Corps of Royal Military Police — Authoritative collections and research resources covering the history of the Royal Military Police within the broader story of the British Army.

• Imperial War Museums — Comprehensive collections and research resources covering the First and Second World Wars, including the Royal Military Police's wartime service.

• The National Archives — The official archive of the UK government, holding primary source documents including war diaries, service records and regimental papers relating to the Royal Military Police.

Veterans' Organisations

• Royal Military Police Association (RMPA) — The official veterans' association for former members of the Royal Military Police, maintaining comradeship, welfare and the Corps' traditions for generations of former Redcaps.

Related Articles in Our Military Heritage Series

• The Intelligence Corps Cap Badge: History and Meaning — The Corps that grew directly from the Military Police's own Field Security Wing in 1940, and a natural companion piece to this guide.

Whether you are researching Royal Military Police history, identifying original insignia or exploring the evolution of military policing within the British Army, these resources provide an excellent foundation for further study.