Spurs and Spur Tabs

Spurs were essential to members in the early days of the Force because horses were their means of transportation. A spur attached to the heel was worn with the short boot or Wellington-style boot, but the most recognizable style was the Jack spur worn with the riding boot.

For officers, the shank of the spur was swan-necked or crane-necked and it was fastened by a chain strap under the boot and leather strap across the top; for corporals and constables the shank was straight-necked and the spur was fastened by leather straps. They were usually steel and nickel plated with a spiked rowel.

In the 1930s, the wearing of spurs was re-evaluated since technological advances made the use of horses obsolete. Very little of an officers’ duties were ‘mounted’ and other ranks had many unmounted sections. After considerable debate, it was decided to keep spurs for certain situations such as formal parades. The use of spurs declined in day-to-day activities, but remain as part of the kit for formal attire.