Dave Wilkinson

Forgive my saying so, but you are being exceptionally kind in describing John Reginald Halliday CHRISTIE as a "crook". He was, of course a "MURDERER" of the first order many times over. If that were not bad enough, he was content to see a young innocent man, Timothy EVANS, executed for his (CHRISTIE'S) foul misdeeds. Dave.

Gordon, Many thanks to you for the time you've taken in transcribing that information. Looking at the old almanacs which I have it would appear that the officer sitting to the left of the Chief Constable is Supt. D.T. Morgans. I do wish that the people of Wales would have been a little more inventive with their surnames. That said, first names seem no less varied. Bless them! Dave.

Gordon, The incident took place in August 1961 on the outskirts of the village of Machynlleth which was then in Merionethshire. Constable ROWLANDS was shot at the scene by Robert BOYNTON. There was a subsequent manhunt which lasted several days through the mountains and which involved a large number of police officers who were sent to assist the Gwynedd Constabulary. Arising out of the incident there were four George Medals awarded and two British Empire Medals for Gallantry. The recipients were as follows:- GEORGE MEDAL. Constable Robert CARSWELL - Liverpool City Police. Constable Thomas Owen DAVIES - Mid-Wales Constabulary. Constable Robert William ROBERTS - Shropshire Constabulary. Constable Arthur Rees ROWLANDS - Gwynedd Constabulary. The two BEM Gallantry medals were awarded to a Sergeant and a Constable of the Mid-Wales Constabulary. If anyone wishes to read the full circumstances of the incident please "google" the Liverpool City Police history website. Under "Roll of Honour" you will see "Robert CARSWELL". Click on that and you are there. Dave.

The information published on page 9 of the book "Staffordshire Police 150th Anniversary" states, "Whilst Captain Anson (Chief Constable), did not consider a detective branch throughout the county to be a necessity, he saw the advantages to be gained by employing officers on plain clothes duties. Accordingly, in 1894 he gave authority for ten constables to be engaged on enquiry and detective duties. These enquiry officers were paid a plain clothes allowance of four pence (2p) a day". The book is published by Staffordshire Police and is compiled using a number of archive sources including the minutes of the Standing Joint Committee. Its worth bearing in mind that an individual seeking marriage could and can describe his/her "job" using whatever title he/she pleases. Perhaps Mr. Moreton occasionally did duty in plain clothes and took the view that whilst so dressed he was engaged in detective work. This practice may have been the norm prior to the year mentioned, or you man simply decided that "detective" on his marriage certificate sounded rather impressive. I hope this is helpful. Dave.

Can't comment upon the first part of your question. However, the Docks in London were owned by the Port of London Authority and were policed by their own non-Home Office police force. Dave.

They certainly do. I administered the issue of the Golden Jubilee medals to the force I was serving with at the time (Port of Dover Police). The completed nominal role with signatures in receipt alongside was forwarded to the Secretary of State for Transport who I understand transmitted them, together with those from the other Port Police Forces, the BTP and the Mersey Tunnels Police to the National Archives. Whether the National Archives have produced one complete list or simply retained the lists submitted by each force, I know not. Dave.

An interesting photo Lawrence. Thanks for sharing it. Can't imagine that helmet being very popular with the gents who were required to wear it. I suspect that there may have been some "micky taking" by the public and his mates! Dave.

Lawrence, No, I'm not aware of an SC badge for Huntingdon town itself. I already have the HSC badge otherwise I would take it off you. Dave.

Lawrence, It was much easier to chop out the old cipher from the centre and put a new one in than to pay to have the Crowns taken off as well. Or perhaps there were technical reasons why the Crowns could not be cut off and easily replaced. Its a chrome badge and the application of too much heat would risk damaging the enamel and discolouring the chrome. If there was a QC version floating about locally then your Dad would have had it. I do know that he tracked down all the old Inspectors years ago and spoke to the families of those who had gone, without success. Dave.

I'm sure someone with access to Metpol. records will oblige. You probably stand a better chance with a Metpol. war reserve than any other force. Dave.

It depends upon the force. Some have excellent records others none at all. Dave.

Lawrence, There were several forces who used a white "tunic" jacket. As far as I'm aware they were only worn on traffic direction duty and not (as Peterborough intended) for everyday street patrol wear. The exception I believe was in Jersey (Channel Islands) were prior to 1972 they wore them with a white helmet during the summer. The only difference was that theirs has a "stand collar" as opposed to an open neck one. I have an identical one to yours from Liverpool City Police. Best wishes, Dave.

Hi Lawrence, The Peterborough Inspectors badge is absolutely correct. The force sent back to the manufacturers the KC GVIR centred Inspectors badges, when the old King died and had the GVIR removed and replaced with the (then) new Queen's cipher. Several forces did this. I have a hallmarked sterling silver version of the same badge which would have been worn by the Superintendent (he was also the Deputy Chief Constable). Peterborough did eventually have a small number of the correct QC EIIR version of the badge made. This is almost impossible to find. I don't have one and I don't think Dad was able to find one either. The Northamptonshire (incorrectly spelt) badge was issued and they were all recalled when the mistake was spotted. Most were destroyed but probably half a dozen survived. Again, that is a difficult one to find with the missing "p". The story which you relate is, I believe correct. That's a nice photo of the old boy which you've used. Just as I remember him! Best wishes, Dave.

This is the final force photograph of the entire Merionethshire Constabulary taken on the 30th September 1950. At midnight the force ceased to exist. Chief Constable Richard Jones retired at the same time. As an aside, they ceased to wear helmets at the end of the 2nd WW. Fourth from the right on the back row is Constable Arthur Rowlands who years later was to be awarded the George Medal following his being shot in the face (and blinded) by a suspected burglar, Robert Boynton. Dave.

I have looked at two old Police & Constabulary Almanacs, for 1902 and 1936. The strength of the force in both years is 35 men (all ranks). I've had a close look at the photo and there are 26 gents on it. I think what you have on that photo is the entire Merioneth Constabulary minus those covering the rest of the county, leave, sick etc. The Sergeants and Constables all have "MC" on their collars together with their force number. For most of its existence the force had three divisions, Dolgelley (16 men, 10 stations), Festiniog (12 men, 8 stations) and Bala (7 men, 5 stations). Each division was commanded by an Inspector. Force HQ was at Dolgelley. Corwen was a Sergeant's station and was situated in Bala division. The men would have all been required to live at their stations, most being a one man posting with 24 hour responsibility. Young single men probably lodged with a Sergeant or a Senior Constable. There would not have been a three shift system as we know it today. As an aside, Bala division had two magistrates courts which sat at Bala (2nd and last Saturday of each month) and Corwen (the last Friday of each month). Prosecutions were conducted by the divisional Inspector. An interesting insight into a long lost era of rural policing. Dave.

Hi Gordon, No I'm not aware of any from the forces in North Wales. Obviously all good loyal lads! Dave.

955 was actually half the force. They were warned by the Head Constable that if they did not report for duty at their stations by a particular time on a given date in August 1919, that he would immediately "sack" those who did not do so. 955 men (Sergeants and Constables) stayed on strike and were immediately dismissed. None were ever reappointed and all lost their pensions. There were some strikers in Birkenhead and Bootle and one man (I think) went on strike in Wallasey. I'm not sure how many were dismissed in those forces. Dave.

Gordon, Having the names would be great! In theory the medals should still be floating around the North Wales area. That said, the odds on them being named are slim. The front and back of my photo are shown below. I think the frame is original and untouched since the framing was done in 1911. I wonder if the names are on mine (on the back of the card mount)? I don't intend opening it to find out! Dave.

I have an original framed identical photo. Interestingly, the Chief Constable (centre front row) is Richard Jones. Mr. Jones was appointed Chief Constable of Merionethshire on the 8th May 1911 and served as Chief until the force was amalgamated on 30th September 1950. An amazing length of continuous service for a Chief Constable. Dave.

In addition to the book you mention, there is another dealing primarily with Liverpool City Police, "Police Strike 1919" by A.V. Sellwood. There were 955 Liverpool strikers dismissed. Dave.

There is a general assumption that only the Met. went on strike which is not a correct one to make. A number of provincial forces also were affected. There is no central "roll" of those who were dismissed and you would need to consult local (provincial) archives depending upon the force in which you were interested. Again, I think local policy dictated whether medals were revoked. Dave.

It is worth bearing in mind that in 1911 Corwen was NOT in Denbighshire but in Merionethshire. So, I think your enquiry should perhaps relate to the former Merionethshire Constabulary. Local government re-organisation later placed Corwen in Denbighshire. I hope this is helpful.

Many thanks for that information. I suspected as much but was not sure. Dave.

The divisional letters and the numbers are indeed removable, and interchangeable between plates. The King's Crown versions have been selling on the internet auction site for £200 plus. I've not seen a Victorian example offered for sale but I would imagine that it would attract quite a bit of interest and an appropriate hammer price.