First of all our dear Comedian Cecchelin, give the name Cerini to our VGPF, at that time we used the matches from Sweden, similar with the white top.
English high rank official from Scotland Yard was in Trieste training them,
(this I do know very well , my husband was one of the Cerini).
At the begging it was give them a khaki color uniform, discharged by the above military, or policemen.
After (I already wrote this story somewhere else) they where told to get a dark blue color uniform, which my husband grandmother send the uniform in ""Tintoria"" or what you called Laundrette to change the requested color. The helmet was in white and after in darkest color.
What happen afterwards, this is a joke, or sound like a joke, during the rain season the color was dripping down the legs.
Few months later, they engaged a very well known firm ( Genel) to make the uniform fitted, so my husband receive two uniform, they kept the Khaki uniform for summer with a beret same color, but at least it was fitted not belong to others. Plus a blanket (which I still have it) long funny story. Australian Merinos (wool) send to England for the stamp (taxes-of approval).
Back to Trieste, manufacture by Italian factory, with the label ""MADE IN AUSTRALIA""
As a another joke, like Macondo explained, it was really like the English Bobby. The person (I forgot his name) who did everything was very strict
on this matter. My dear father, had the job to add the nasty piece of metal under they booths.
As for the word Cruchi I don't care, what the word is from, German language or else, we did call them like this always.
(as in Triestino we say....the son duro come un cruco, pezo delle piere del Carso). Yo're hard, worse that the rock from the Carso mountain.
Maria aka Refolo
PS. certainly someone around is older than me
who can agree with me
