Alan Baird

Hi, In May of 2018, I purchased a Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911 on ebay which I considered to be very interesting and was surprised by the lack of interest in the medal. The Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911 was awarded to, 'PC A Phelps.' Now at this point, don't get mixed up with the City of London Police Sergeant William Henry Phelps who along with City of London Police Inspector George Izzard was involved in crowd control and public safety at the murder scene of Catherine Eddowes, at Mitre Square, in 1888. Alfred Robert Phelps was born in Mitcham, in Surrey, in 1888 and so was only a baby during the Jack the Ripper murders. Alfred Robert Phelps parents were Ambrose and Christiana Phelps. Ambrose Robert Phelps was born in Monmouthshire, in Wales, in 1858. On the 20th of August in 1885, Ambrose R Phelps married Christiana Mason, in Lambeth. It is recorded on the marriage certificate that Ambrose Phelps was employed as a Police Constable and his father was John Phelps. Police Constable Ambrose Robert Phelps joined the Metropolitan Police on the 28th of February in 1881 and was assigned to Wandsworth or 'V' division and given the warrant number of 65328. Police Constable Ambrose R Phelps was awarded the Queen Victoria Metropolitan Police Jubilee medal for 1887 whilst serving with Clapham or 'W' division. Police Constable Ambrose R Phelps served in the Metropolitan Police during investigation and the hunt Jack the Ripper. In the England Census of 1891, Police Constable Ambrose R Phelps and his wife Christiana Phelps and their two children Alfred R Phelps aged 3 and Ada G Phelps aged 1 are residing in the family home at 17 Tree Grove, Court Yard, in Eltham, in Greenwich. On the 6th of August in 1894, Police Constable Ambrose R Phelps at the age only 36 dies whilst he was serving with Greenwich or 'R' division. Sadly, he was leaving a widow and two young children, without their husband/father. The burial took place at Saint John the Baptist, in Eltham, in Greenwich. I am sure the Phelps family would have pulled together for this sad event and it would have been interesting to know who attended the funeral. One person I am sure would have attended was Ambrose's older brother and he was 'City of London Police Sergeant William Henry Phelps,' Yes, this is the same City Policeman who was responsible for the crowd control and public safety at Mitre Square .[William Henry Phelps born in Monmouthshire, in Wales, in 1851 and those parents were John and Mary Phelps]. So you see the Phelps family service with the London Police comes with a famous connection to the City of London Police but also has a family connection to the Metropolitan Police. Ambrose Robert Phelps never knew his son would join the Metropolitan Police but on the 1st of November in 1909, Alfred Robert Phelps joins Bow or 'K' division and is given the warrant number of 97434. Police Constable Alfred Robert Phelps was awarded the Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911. On the 5th of November in 1934, Police Constable Alfred Robert Phelps retired on pension from the Metropolitan Police and Southwark or 'M' division. Alfred Robert Phelps later rejoins the Metropolitan Police and Southwark or 'M' division for service during the 2nd World War. It can be a small world at times, brother, uncle and nephew.

Here is some more information on the Izzard family:- 'Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard of the City of London Police.' James Alfred Izzard joins the City of London Police on the 27th of August in 1874 and was issued with the police number of 4289 and is also the nephew of Inspector George Izzard. Inspector George Izzard became famous for being in charge and responsible for the crowd control and public safety, at the incident involving the murder of Catherine Eddowes, in Mitre Square. James Alfred Izzard's daughter 'Lilly Louisa Izzard' also marries Police Constable [City 408] William Theodore Males and there are other Izzard family connections to the City of London Police. Unfortunately, the City of London Police personal file for Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard has not survived. During the Jack the Ripper reign of terror in 1888, Inspector James Alfred Izzard appears to be stationed at Seething Lane Police Station, 54/55/56 Great Tower Street whilst his uncle Inspector George Izzard was stationed at the Bishopsgate Police Station. In the England Census of 1891, Inspector James Alfred Izzard is recorded as lodging at the Seething Lane Police Station while his wife and children are away visiting their parents/grandparents etc in Hertfordshire. In 1894, James Alfred Izzard and family are residing in a dwelling house at 36-39 Bishopsgate Street. On the 23rd of March in 1895, there is an article in the newspapers of an extraordinary explosion that took place at Fenchurch Street Railway Station where an elderly man was literally blown to pieces. He was a gardener to a Plaistow doctor and had been sent to a Fleet Street opticians to collect some sides and an oxygen cylinder for a magic show that was being put on. Whilst sitting on a seat, on the platform, he accidentally dropped the oxygen cylinder and the resulting explosion was so powerful that people thought that a railway locomotive engine boiler had exploded. Chief Inspector Izzard took charge of the incident and body parts were placed in a couple of hampers, until a shell from the local City Mortuary arrived. On the 9th of September in 1895, there is an article in the newspapers regarding 'a bomb' in London. A suspicious device was found in Mincing Lane which had previously been run over by a sewer cart and was believed to be a bomb. Chief Inspector Izzard who is the inspector appointed by the City of London under the Explosives Act was immediately called to the incident. The device was placed in water to make it safe and was eventually sent to the Home Office Inspector of Explosives who declared the device harmless. In 1897, James Alfred Izzard and family are residing in a dwelling house at 36-39 Bishopsgate Street. Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard was heavily involved in the City of London Police cricket team and other City of London Police sporting events which can be evidenced by a newspaper article in 1897 which reported on one such event. In 1900, James Alfred Izzard and family are residing in a dwelling house at 36-39 Bishopsgate Street. On the 19th of July in 1900, Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard retires from the City of London Police and is awarded a pension of £146.3s.3d. On the 9th of January in 1901, at the Bishopsgate Institute ex-Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard was presented with an address and cheques for 200 guineas on his retirement from the City of London Police. On the platform were many distinguished guests and there was a great deal of praise for his service to the City of London Police. In the England Census of 1901, we find that James Alfred Izzard is recorded as being a 'Police Pensioner' and the family are residing at City Cottage, 129 Rabley Heath, in Codicote, in Hertfordshire. In the England Census of 1911, we find that James Alfred Izzard is recorded as being a 'Police Pensioner' and the family are residing at City Cottage, Rabley Heath, in Codicote, in the Parish of Welwyn, in Hertfordshire. In 1926, James Alfred Izzard dies at City Cottage Rabley Heath, in Hertfordshire.

'Police Constable [City 251] George Izzard, Old Bailey trial attendance, in 1864.' On the 17th of May in 1864, John Elvery [27] stole a 7 yard roll of cloth from a tailors shop and he was then chased and caught by the shopman in Charles Street, in Hattongarden. Metropolitan Police Constable [G210] William Taylor then took charge of the prisoner. Police Constable [City 251] George Izzard also came to the assistance of Police Constable [G210] William Taylor. At the Old Bailey trial of John Elvery, the prisoner was found guilty of the charge. A previous conviction in 1854 regarding a felony charge which resulted in John Elvery receiving a 4 year sentence was also highlighted to the court. For the theft of the roll of cloth, John Elvery was sentenced to 5 years penal servitude. What is interesting and nice about the case, is the co-operation between the Police Constables of the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police. They worked together to ensure the conviction of the prisoner. The sentence appears to be quite considerable for a rather inept and poorly thought out attempted theft but we must remember this incident occurred in 1864. The case also highlights why prisoners would use any means necessary, including alias names, to prevent their previous convictions from being identified. Repeat offenders, even if their previous conviction was over a decade old, could often expect little sympathy from the judge and court. Another small insight to George Izzard.

Hi, 'Inspector George Izzard - knew Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins because they both served in the Bishopsgate Police Station.' As we know, at 1.45am on Sunday the 30th of September in 1888, Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins found the mutilated body of Catherine Eddowes, in Mitre Square. As the word spread that 'Jack the Riper' had claimed another victim, crowds soon formed in the area. It was City of London Police Inspector Izzard that was given the task of ensuring crowd control and public safety. All the evidence points towards this City of London Police Inspector being, 'Inspector George Izzard' who was stationed at Bishopsgate Police Station. Inspector George Izzard is the uncle to City of London Police Inspector James Alfred Izzard and both the uncle and nephew were City of London Police Inspectors in 1888. Inspector George Izzard 's personal file has not survived but from the 'Warrant Book' entries we know he joined the City of London Police on the 12th of May in 1859 and that his police number was 2951. We also know that when William Bull [27] of 6 Stannard Road in Dalson presented himself to Bishopsgate Police Station and claimed he was a medical student at the London Hospital and that he had murdered Catherine Eddowes in Mitre Square, it was Inspector George Izzard that took the statement. Inspector George Izzard then established that William Bull came from a good family and that he had no medical connection with the London Hospital and that he could not have committed the crime. William Bull in apologising to the court claimed to have been drunk at the time of the confession. It was stressed that William Bull's actions had been extremely foolish and potentially dangerous. There was an incident on Monday night on the 9th of September in 1889 where a Mr Samuel Robertson [53] a gentleman from Dalston appeared the worse for drink and was seen staggering and then fell to the ground. Police Constable 891 Green took the injured man to the hospital. Later a hospital doctor released Mr Robertson back into the care of Bishopsgate Police Station because he believed the man was simply drunk. When City of London Police Inspector George Izzard came on duty the next morning, the prisoner was found to be in an unconscious state and he was immediately sent to the hospital but later died that night. The post-mortem found a blood clot had formed from his previous fall. The jury expressed their opinion that the deceased should have been kept in hospital and that great credit was due to Inspector Izzard and the Police. We also know that Inspector George Izzard retired on pension in January of 1890 and which means he did not just complete the necessary 26 years of service to obtain a full pension but actually completed approximately 30 years of service. In the England Census of 1891, we find that George Izzard is the Licenced Victualler of the 'George and Dragon Public House' in the High Street, in Codicote, in Hertfordshire. It appears to be a busy family home because his wife and children are residing there but he also has visiting family members and even boarders. There is a nice story that on Saturday the 25th of August in 1894, 22 members of the City of London Police cricket team visited an old retired friend 'George Izzard' at the George Hotel, in Codicote. Among the company was his nephew Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard and Sergeant Izzard who I believe was George Izzard's son. The City of London Police team then played the Welwyn team and then had lunch. Afterwards they returned to the George Hotel to attend a 'smoking concert' which involved live music to an all male audience and which was a Victorian favourite event. The company returned to London by the last train after having spent a most enjoyable day. In the England Census of 1901, we find that George Izzard is now the Sub Postmaster and is assisted in the Post Office by members of his family which is located in the High Street, in Codicote, in Hertfordshire. On the 31st of July in 1901, George Izzard dies in Hertfordshire. [A little insight to George Izzard]

Hi, Just a quick update:- 'Inspector George Izzard is the uncle of Inspector/Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard who is his nephew.' Family history of the Izzard's. John Izzard [1809-1852] and Sarah Izzard [nee Pratt 1806-1888.]. Their son is George Izzard [1842-1901, born in Welwyn, Hertfordshire in 1842.]. Later to become City Inspector George Izzard. Their daughter is Elizabeth [Betsey] Izzard [1837-1891, born in Welwyn in 1837]. Older sister of George Izzard. In 1854, in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, Elizabeth [Betsey] Izzard gives birth to ''James Alfred Izzard'' without marrying and the family relationship of uncle and nephew is created. A family tree on Ancestry was of great assistance. All I need now is to confirm which of the two Inspector Izzard's was in charge of crowd control at the Catherine Eddowes murder/Mitre Square Incident. I believe it was most likely Inspector George Izzard but hopefully this can be confirmed one way or another. Alan.

Hi, 'The William Theodore Males connection to the Izzard family and therefore to PC 881 Edward Watkins and Mitre Square.' This group of medals I purchased over five years ago and I immediately began to research them. I only partly completed the research because Police Constable 108 William Theodore Males who was a City of London Police Constable from 1893 to 1903, did not appear to warrant the additional expense of purchasing his personal records from the London Metropolitan Archives. Police Constable 108 William Males personal file had survived and amounted to 19 sides of paper. At todays prices, requesting copies from the London Metropolitan Archives would have probably cost around £100. Therefore I summarised the research information and closed down his file and it was my intention to re-open it some later date in the future. Five years later, I was considering entering his story to, 'Tales from the Station Cat,' but after reading the original summary, I realised there was a connection to Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins story and every little connection, even if it is not directly connected, is worth noting. Police Constable 108 William Theodore Males and his City of London Police career:- William Theodore Males was born in Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, in 1874. In the England Census of 1891, William Males is 17 years old and is residing with his family at 13 Market Place, in Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. William T Males served in the 1st Hertfordshire Volunteers from August of 1888 to March of 1893. William's previous employment, prior to joining the City of London Police, was with the Humber & Co Ltd at 32 Holborn Viaduct which was a cycle manufacturer. In 1893, William T Males joins the City of London Police and becomes Police Constable 108 William Theodore Males and who's physical description is...….five feet ten inches in height, having a chest measurement of just over thirty six inches, grey eyes, brown hair and had a fresh complexion and had a scar on the back of his left hand. In 1897, William T Males marries Lillie Louisa Izzard who's father is Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard with the City of London Police. On the marriage certificate William is listed as being a Police Constable. Lillie Louisa Izzard is recorded as residing at 39 Bishopsgate Street in London. In 1897, Police Constable 108 William T Males is awarded the Queen Victoria City of London Jubilee medal for 1897 for being on duty during Queen Victoria's Jubilee Parade through London. On the 11th of December in 1898, William and Lillie Males see the birth of their first child 'Alfred James Males' whilst living at 3 New Street, in Bishopsgate. In the England Census of 1901, William is 27 and recorded as being employed as a Police Constable, Lillie Males is 22 and their son Alfred Males is now 2 years old. Lillie Louisa's sister 'Nellie Izzard' [24] is also staying with them and is recorded as being employed as a waitress. The family are residing at 3 New Street, St. Botolph, Bishopsgate. There is an Old Bailey trial record for the 24th of June in 1901, regarding a theft charge and Police Constable William Males who was in plain clothes, along with another officer, assisted in arresting three individuals. One of the prisoners kicked William on the leg resulting in a cut which caused him to be off his work for two weeks. The prisoners were found guilty and sentenced to between 18 and 20 months imprisonment. In 1902, Police Constable William T Males is awarded the Coronation City of London medal for 1902 for being on duty and taking part in the Coronation Parade through London. In 1903, Police Constable William T Males leaves the City of London Police. There is a 6th division report by District Inspector F Chapman, dated 28/11/1903 which states:- At 5.40pm on the 28/11/1903, District Inspector F Chapman was called to the Magpie Public House at 12 New Street, Bishopsgate and was informed by the manager that the individual identified as 'William Males' was drunk and being abusive and using obscene language and had been refused service and was now refusing to leave the premises. District Inspector F Chapman with the assistance of the manager removed William from the Public House. Since William lived nearby the Inspector accompanied him home and William promised to go up the stairs to his flat quietly. William rang his door bell and then started to abuse his wife and then returned to the Magpie Public House and again demanded to be served. This time District Inspector F Chapman took a Police Sergeant [PS40] with him to attend the Magpie Public House. William Males was removed from the premises after considerable effort, abuse and violent behaviour and was taken to the Police Station. William Males then claimed he was not drunk and a doctor was summoned to also make a report. William T Males was forced to resign forthwith due to the incident. In the England Census of 1911, we find that William Males [37] is now a Persian Carpet Salesman, Lillie is 32 and Alfred James Males is 12 years old. The family now includes Sydney William Males aged 9 and Hilda Lillian Males aged 2 and the family are residing at 3&4 New Street, in Bishopsgate City. The family had obviously survived the drunken incident which had terminated William's career with the City of London Police in 1903. William Theodore Males and the Izzard family connection in 1888. [Note there were 2 City of London Police Inspectors Izzard's in 1888 ie Inspector James Alfred Izzard and Inspector George Izzard.] William Theodore Males married Lillie Louisa Izzard in 1897 and her father is listed on the marriage certificate as City Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard. Chief Inspector James Alfred Izzard joined the City of London Police on the 27th of August in 1874 and a was issued with the number of 4289. James Alfred Izzard retired from the City of London Police on the 19th of July in 1900 and received an annual pension of £146.3s.3d. Many important people attended James Alfred Izzard's retirement and it was also mentioned in the Times Newspaper and he also received the massive sum of 200 guineas as a gift. During the 'Ripper Murders' James Alfred Izzard would have been an Inspector and he is recorded in the England Census of 1891 as being of this rank within the City Police. It should be noted on James Alfred Izzard's marriage certificate in 1875 when he married Elizabeth Ellen Gater, he was recorded as residing at 482 Wandsworth Road, in Clapham. This is the same address/residency for Sergeant George Izzard of the City of London Police and his family, in the England Census of 1881. George Izzard joins the City of London Police on the 12th of May in 1859 and was issued with the number of 2951 and retired on pension in January of 1890. We can evidence these two Inspectors had a family connection by the following observations:- [a] Both these men had the same surname which was not a common surname. Both these men were born in the town of Welwyn, in Hertfordshire. [c] Records show they resided together for a period of time in the family home of George Izzard and this is the only record of George Izzard taking in any kind of lodgers/boarders etc. [d] Therefore it is reasonable to suspect these two man are related and family and the most likely connection is that they are brothers. 'The murder of Catherine Eddowes, in Mitre Square and the discovery of her body by Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins':- Once the alarm had gone out about finding another Jack the Ripper murder victim, crowds soon formed around Mitre Square and the City of London Police gave Inspector Izzard and Sergeants Dudman and Phelps the responsibility for controlling and ensuring public order within the surrounding area. I believe this specific duty was given to Inspector George Izzard but it is also possible the Inspector was James Izzard. Therefore we have the connection between Police Constable 108 William T Males and his wife's family and Inspector Izzard and Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins confirmed by the incident in Mitre Square. Both Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins and Inspector Izzard were there at the murder scene of Catherine Eddowes on that fateful night. There are other interesting stories covering Inspectors George and James Izzard but for this entry we are only interested in the Mitre Square murder. Further research may positively confirm the details but one fact that cannot be disputed is that these two men and the Izzard family in 1888 played a part in the City of London Police investigations and hunt for Jack the Ripper. Here are some photographs of the Queen Victoria City of London Jubilee medal for 1897 which was awarded to 'PC 108 W T Males' and the Coronation City of London medal for 1902 and awarded to 'PC W T Males.' There is also his son's 'Alfred James Males' Victory medal and awarded to '3146 Pte A Males 4-Lond R.'

Inspector William Ephraim Smith Notley. [Born Weymouth district, in Dorset, in 1847.] Metropolitan Police Career Summary :- On the 22nd of February in 1869, we find that William Ephraim Smith Notley joins the Metropolitan Police and is assigned to 'B' or Chelsea division and is issued with the warrant number of 51558. On the 16th of August in 1875, Alfred Mooney [19] was on trial at the Old Bailey for the theft/burglary from the house/shop of Frances Waters at 39 Strutton Ground, Westminster. Frances Waters was a tobacconist. PC B371 William Notley stated that at approximately 1.45am on the morning of Monday the 14th of July, he observed two men acting suspiciously and gave chase when they ran away. Police Constable B401 Frederick Cole caught Alfred Moodey in a nearby street and a chisel was later found in his possession. No property was taken from Frances Waters home and at the trial Alfred Moodey he was found not guilty. In 1887, Police Sergeant William Notley was on duty for Queen Victoria's Jubilee Parade through London and was therefore awarded the Queen Victoria Metropolitan Police Jubilee medal for 1887 whilst serving as a Police Sergeant with 'V' or Wandsworth division. On the 21st of November in 1887, Police Sergeant William Notley is promoted to Inspector and transferred to 'J' or Bethnal Green division. In 1888, through-out the entire period of the Jack the Ripper murders, Sub Divisional Inspector William Notley was serving in the Bethnal Green division. Obviously, this would have been a good division to serve in when the Metropolitan Police were hunted Jack the Ripper. On the 7th of January in 1891, William Notley is promoted to Divisional Inspector and transferred to 'H' or Whitechapel division. This would also be an interesting period to be serving in 'H' or Whitechapel division because there are still Jack the Ripper scares around and the general public still feared he may return. On the 9th of February in 1891, John Finklestein [36] was on trial at the Old Bailey for feloniously shooting Rosa Finklestein with the intent to murder her at 20 King Edward Street. Basically John Finklestein had been ill from consumption for approximately 18 weeks and confined to bed for much of this period. He felt his wife neglected both him and the children and that they would be better cared for in a ragged school. On the night of the 1st of February, they argued and he pulled a revolver which he had purchased 2 weeks earlier and fired twice at his wife. Rose suffered two face wounds which caused cuts across her cheeks. Inspector Notley brought the revolver to the station and inspected the room in which the bullets had damaged the wall etc. Inspector Walter Beck was also involved in the case. The accused was found guilty but the jury requested that he be shown mercy due to the state of his health and the provocation from his wife. He was therefore sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment without hard labour. On the 26th of June in 1893, Patrick Lynch [31] was on trial at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of Cornelius Lynch at the Lodging House at 1 Heneage Street. The brothers and others were having supper in the kitchen of the lodging house, all were under the influence of drink and an argument suddenly occurred. Patrick reached over and cut his brothers neck with the knife he was using to eat his supper. This all happened at approximately midnight on the 5th of June and into the early hours of the 6th of June. Cornelius was taken to the London Hospital but died that same day at approximately 3pm. In the prisoners defence, he stated he had lost his temper and flung the knife at his brother and never meant to hurt him. They had served as soldiers together, worked together and walked from Wales to London together and had always been friends. Inspector Notley ['H' divn.] was involved in the case. Patrick Lynch was found guilty but the jury recommended mercy and so the sentence was only 2 months imprisonment. On the 4th of March in 1895, Inspector William Notley retires from the Metropolitan Police and 'H' or Whitechapel division. Recalled to duty for the Jubilee in 1897. [CO divn.] Recalled to duty for the Coronation in 1902. ['J' divn.] I think the Old Bailey trials gives an interesting insight into the Victorian thinking on justice. Jury recommendations seem also to be listened to by the Judges, in these cases.

Hi Gordon, I don't collect them but over the years I have obtained a small number of these items. Great stories and interesting to read. [a] 4 x Police Budget Edition Famous Crimes relating to 'Jack the Ripper.' 4 X Police Budget Edition Famous Crimes relating to 'Mrs Maybrick.' [murder of her husband]. [c] 1 magazine account of the 'Houndsditch incident and the Sidney Street Siege.'

Hi, To complete the brief over-view of the murder of Rose Hannah McCarthy, you need to view a newspaper report relating to the incident. This is just one of many...………………….

Hi, 'Police Constable William Henry Parnell.' William Henry Parnell was born in Devonport, in Devon, in 1871. On the 23rd of May in 1892, he joins the Metropolitan Police and was assigned to 'H' or Whitechapel division and given the warrant number of 77692. In 1897, Police Constable William Parnell was awarded the Metropolitan Police Jubilee medal for 1897 whilst serving in 'H' or Whitechapel division. In 1902 and 1911, Police Constable William Parnell was awarded the Metropolitan Police Coronation medals for 1902 and 1911 whilst serving in 'H' or Whitechapel division. Police Constable William Parnell would have been serving in 'H' or Whitechapel division during the famous 'Sidney Street Siege.' On the 18th of August in 1919, Police Constable William H Parnell retires on pension from the Metropolitan Police and 'H' or Whitechapel division. A brief account of the trial and was it a fair sentence for 1903? [There are no correct or wrong answers] Police Constable William H Parnell [collar number 256H], attended the Old Bailey trial of Dennis McCarthy [20], on the 19th of October in 1903, for the killing/murder of Rose McCarthy. Rose McCarthy was drinking with two friends Charlotte Weal and Catherine Gilby, in the Crown Public House which is located on the corner of Denmark Street and Cable Street, on the night of the 28th of September in 1903. They entered the Public House at approximately 9pm and at 9.55pm Rose stepped outside and spoke to Dennis McCarthy. They knew each other but were neither married or related. Dennis thought she should be with him, rather than drinking with her friends. He then stabbed her in the neck causing several wounds. At approximately 10.10pm she staggered into the Crown Public House covered in blood and fatally wounded. Police Constable William Parnell was in Ship Alley, approximately 200 yards from the Crown Inn when he arrested the prisoner and cautioned him regarding his confession of what he had done. The prisoner was covered in blood and other Police Officers found the knife and removed the woman to the London Hospital where she was declared dead. It appear from the evidence that Dennis McCarthy was a hard working individual and normally never drank but on this particular night he had drank quite a lot. When he was younger he had been knocked over and banged his head and since that time he was of limited intelligence. There was also evidence of insanity in the family. These factors and evidence from the witnesses of his good character, probably saved him from going to the gallows and he was instead sentenced to 15 years hard labour.

Hi Gordon, Here are three more ''Police Budget Edition - Famous Crimes magazines,'' and they also relate to the, 'Jack the Ripper murders.' They are in good condition for their age but need to be handled carefully. I think the sketches are particularly interesting. I did a few posts on the Ripper Forum under, ''Collective Wisdom,'' regarding Policemen that I was researching. Unfortunately, I always had difficulties down sizing the attachments so I stopped posting items. I have some more stories for the ''Tales of the Station Cat' but I will need to post them sometime in the future. last sketch...………………..

Hi Gordon, The preamble for the Commercial Tavern documents required a little artistic license to initially make the subject a bit more fun and interesting....it made me smile. My book would be more like a magazine...….. for example the ''Police Budget Edition of Famous Crimes and edited by Harold Furniss.'' The ''Penny Dreadfuls,'' of the 1880's and 1890's were roughly cut and printed on cheap and inferior paper but some did survive. For example this copy, volume II no15, relating to ''Jack the Ripper.'' The literacy rate was rising and the magazines were available to all sections of society. Harold Furniss was a journalist, illustrator and political caricaturist and collector of criminal literature. He was born in Birkenhead/Liverpool in 1856. What is also interesting is that he had also been employed as a Police-court portraitist. [I will add more photographs in a second reply as I am already at 8MB] some more photographs...……………... some more photographs ……….

Hi, 'The Commercial Tavern at 142 Commercial Street.' Imagine your in London, at the height of the Jack the Ripper murder spree, in 1888. A concerned citizen wants to find the best vantage point to view the events as they are developing. Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins whilst pounding his City of London beat, is stopped and his advice is sought on this matter. ''Well, in all of London, there is only one place I would suggest and that is the Commercial Tavern at 142 Commercial Street,'' was his reply. This Public House looks onto the Commercial Street Police Station which is the Metropolitan Police centre of operations in the hunt for Jack the Ripper. This three story Police Station was only built in 1874 and so it is a relatively new building. From your viewpoint in the Commercial Tavern it would have been possible to see Inspector Frederick George Abberline and many of the other famous detectives go in and out of the Police Station. From your viewpoint in the Commercial Tavern it would have been possible to see the Ripper suspects, that have been arrested, go in and out of the Police Station. Most of all, the Commercial Tavern is a well run Public House, by the Licensed Victualler 'James Blumson.' The talk, the stories and the theories about Jack the Ripper would have been endless and entertaining within the walls of this famous Public House. The latest gossip from both Police and Underworld sources would have been leaked here because everybody wants to pretend they are in the know. [Obviously, all of the above is fictional and not factual, just a little bit of fun.] 'History of the Commercial Tavern at 142 Commercial Street.' 'Abraham Keymer' was born in Bethnal Green in 1816 and who in February of 1865 bought the lease to the site on which he would built the Commercial Tavern. The address would be Commercial Tavern, 142 Commercial Street and the lease was an 80 year lease. James Blumson managed the Commercial Tavern throughout the Jack the Ripper era. From 1891 to 1899 William Blumson, James Blumson's brother and other members of the Blumson family took over the lease of the Commercial Tavern. The following photographs show the vellum documents relating to the lease of the Commercial Tavern. The original lease from 1878 transferring it to James Blumson and then three other amendments to the lease in the 1891 period.

Hi, Here is some info and thoughts about William Piddington a known friend of Edward Watkins...…...

Hi, There was an extremely interesting article written approximately a decade ago and was titled ''City Beat. City PC 881 Edward Watkins'' by Neil Bell and Robert Clack. Even although the article was produced in August of 2009, it covers much of what has been discussed here and is a definite required read if you are interested in Edward Watkins. It allows you to read all the information in a logical and progressive fashion. It is another source of information so I have listed it here. Go to...……... www.ripperologist.co.uk Back Issues Number 105.

Hi, Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins in action... Between 9 and 10pm on Wednesday evening, on the 23rd of December in 1885, Thomas Knowling Edwards aged 52, met Clara Turner aged 23. It was a casual meeting, as they had never met before and Clara asked Thomas to stand her a drink since the night air was rather cold and so he agreed to this request. Thomas Edwards was a married man who was employed as a foreman shipwright at the Chatham Dockyard and resided at 19 Station Road in Camberwell. Their encounter took place near the Hercules Public House, in Leadenhall Street. John Lashbrook the keeper of the Public House remembered them coming in at approximately 10.15pm. Thomas bought Clara a port wine while he had a whisky and although he was not drunk, he had been in two other Public Houses before meeting Clara. Thomas paid for the drinks with money from his purse which contained between 5 and 6 gold sovereigns. A short time later Thomas caught Clara's hand in his trouser pocket and although her hand was empty, when he checked his purse, it was also empty. Thomas called Clara an, 'infernal thief' and the constables were sent for...... Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins arrived at the Hercules Public House just after 11pm. Thomas called Clara a thief and Clara denied having anything that belonged to Thomas. Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins asked Thomas if he was prepared to lay charge of theft against Clara and Thomas replied, 'that he was not.' Thomas was afraid that the exposure to this incident might cause him great harm as he was a married man. There was nothing more that Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins could do and so he left the Public House. Shortly after this, Police Constable 913 Thomas Overton arrived and Thomas Edwards realised that he would have to authorise the charge of theft, if he wanted to get his money back. Clara Turner was taken to the Police Station and her bag was searched and five gold sovereigns, a sixpence and seven pence in bronze were found. There was also a comb and a pencil which belonged to Thomas and which were also found during the search. Clara Turner was charged with theft/pocketpicking at her Old Bailey trial, on the 11th of January in 1886. Clara Turner was found guilty of the charges and was sentenced to 10 months Hard Labour. Observations……………………... Thomas Edwards although he was not drunk, admitted that he started drinking from 5.30pm that evening. Thomas was also transfixed on what people would think of him, if the incident became public knowledge. Under these circumstances Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins acted professionally by making it clear that unless a charge of theft was put forward, then nothing else could be done. Later when Thomas Edwards first appeared in front of a magistrate, he confusingly and wrongly stated the incident had occurred during the afternoon. This evidence was then corrected. There is also his wife's divorce petition which was registered on the 6th of December in 1877 which stated ''Thomas Knowling Edwards was habitually intoxicated, used violent and threatening language and frequently neglected and refused to provide her with common necessaries. It was also stated he had committed adultery and became infected with a veneral disease.'' Therefore he does not appear to have been married in 1886 but may have worried more about what his employer would have thought, regarding Thomas being involved in this incident. In the England Census of 1881,Thomas K Edwards, aged 47, his occupation is recorded as being ''Foreman of Yard, Admiralty Chatham'' and he was residing on his own at 68 Front Row Ordnance Place, in Chatham. Although Clara Turner obviously did rob Thomas Edwards, either she was one of the finest pocketpickers in London or Thomas Edwards was more affected by alcohol than suggested. Clara took several items from his trouser pockets without Thomas ever noticing. It would appear replacing his empty purse was one act too many. Thomas K Edwards dies in 1890 and left the remainder of his estate to his ex-wife.

Hi, One of the last cases that Detective Chief Superintendent John Robertson was requested to investigate had, ''security officials in a fine old flap.'' It involved a robbery at the Tower of London in 1972. Lord Maclean, the Governor of the Tower of London, considered the situation so serious that he telephoned the Lord Chamberlain regarding the robbery. Detective Chief Superintendent John Robertson was then assigned to the case. The theft was from a locker in the Warden's mess which was located approximately 10 feet from where the crown jewels were on display. Security officials feared that if this robbery was not solved, it could be a prelude to the theft of the crown jewels. According to one member of the Tower staff, ''all hell broke loose,'' when the warden's tea money which amounted to £10 in a tin, was stolen from the locker. Detective Chief Superintendent John Robertson closed the case following the resignation of a member of the Tower house staff. This must be the most famous case involving stolen tea money and the case was closed when the ''tea leaf'' was caught. Alan.

Hi, This is a more modern story of a senior Metropolitan Police Detective...………...Detective Chief Superintendent John Robertson. John Robertson's parents were John Smith Alexander Kidd Huston Robertson and Williamina Morrison Ramsey and they married in Forfar, in Angus, on the 29th of December in 1908. The family then moved to Glasgow where John Smith Alexander Kidd Huston Robertson became a Glasgow Police Constable. Their son John Robertson was born in Glasgow on the 2nd of April in 1912. In approximately 1933, John Robertson joins the Metropolitan Police and he would have been 21 years old. On the 31st of July in 1938, Police Constable John Robertson transferred to the fingerprint branch of the C.I.D. department at New Scotland Yard. In the England Census of 1939, we find that John Robertson is recorded as being a Police Constable in the C.I.D. department at New Scotland Yard. The family are residing in the family home at 72 Wickham Road, in Deptford. John Robertson's wife is Ethel Mabel Robertson [maiden name Gooch] and his mother-in-law Ethel Maud Charlton [previously married to Arthur Edward Gooch - deceased] and Sidney Gooch [brother/son/brother-in-law] is also residing there. John Robertson served in the Metropolitan Police throughout the 2nd World War and was awarded the Defence medal. In approximately 1959, Inspector John Robertson was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct medal and it is engraved to 'Insp. John Robertson.' In late 1964, John Robertson gave evidence in the trial of Ronald John Cooper [26] for the murder of Joseph Hayes [67], as a New Scotland Yard fingerprint expert witness. Ronald John Cooper held up the Joseph Hayes a ship repair company director and his wife Mrs Elsie May Hayes and stole £2,000. During the robbery he shot Joseph Hayes dead and wounded Mrs Hayes. He then fled the country but was located in the Bahamas and brought back to stand trial for his crimes. Ronald John Cooper was found guilty and sentenced to death which was scheduled to take place on the 27th of January in 1965 but this was then commuted to life in prison. This action was take because the British Parliament was about to abolish capital punishment. Ronald John Cooper served just under 15 years before being released. John Robertson continued to serve in the fingerprint branch at New Scotland Yard for approximately 34 years and attained the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent and was also the Deputy in charge of the fingerprint branch of C.I.D. at New Scotland Yard. Detective Chief Superintendent John Robertson retired from New Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police in 1972, having served 39 years and reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. Along with John Robertson's medals we have the family medals belonging to Ethel Mabel Robertson's father, 'Arthur Edward Gooch.' [1] British War medal 88963 AWO Cl 2 A E Gooch R.E [2] 1914-15 Star 88963 Spr A E Gooch R.E. Arthur Edward Gooch joined the British Army on the 27th of March in 1915 and became Sapper 88963 [later to WR/283605 with the 234th L.R. F Way Company Railway Battalion, Royal Engineers]. In November of 1918, C.S.M. Arthur Edward Gooch was admitted into the 14th General Hospital suffering from influenza/pneumonia and died from this condition on the 5th of November in 1918. Ethel Maud Gooch remarried in early 1920's and became Ethel Maud Charlton. John Robertson is an extremely high ranking Metropolitan Police officer but it was still quite difficult in finding additional information on him. Probable the main point of this entry, is that if the family medals had not stayed together, the whole story of John Robertson Metropolitan Police career would have been lost. [I have typed this directly in and so I hope I have not made too many mistakes] Alan.

Hi, This is another story from the Police career of George Endean but this time it comes from the year of 1912 and he is now a Sub Divisional Inspector. [I tried to paste this several times on the station cat listing but it just would not go on and so I decided to try under the PC 881 Edward Watkins heading. Not sure what I was doing wrong but it has attached now so I will just leave it at that. I hate typing.] 'Metropolitan Police Inspector Emanuel Geake, Sub Divisional Police Inspector George Endean and a Divisional Police Surgeon Felix Kempster, first on the scene at a tragic incident and working together.' 'Shocking discovery in a Battersea home.' On Monday morning, on the 26th of August in 1912, Metropolitan Police Inspector Emanuel Geake, on hearing a whistle blowing followed the sounds to 5 Gaines Cottages, in Sheepcote Lane, in Battersea. There he found Mrs Mary Ann Fox, in her nightdress, aged 30 and suffering from cut wounds to her neck which had been badly bandaged and which he quickly adjusted. Mrs Knight a neighbour had attempted to stop the bleeding with the original bandaging. There was evidence Mary Ann Fox had taken poison by drinking some 'spirits of salts which is the old fashioned name for hydrochloric acid. Inspector Emanuel Geake administered an emetic to induce vomiting so that Mary would bring up as much of the poison as possible. Shortly afterwards Sub Divisional Inspector George Endean and Divisional Police Surgeon Felix Kempster arrived and found 2 children in the scullery suffering from knife wounds to their throats, another two children were then found unconscious on their mothers bed and also had similar wounds. There was also fears that the children may have also been given poison. The children's ages ranged from 9 years old to 6 months. Mary Ann Fox and her 4 children were taken to the Anti-Vivisection Hospital where they lay in a precarious condition. George Fox who was the husband and father of the children, was not in the house at the time of the incident. George Fox worked as a dustman and was employed by the Holborn Borough Council. Divisional Police Surgeon Felix Kempster praised the quick actions of Inspector Geake as having saved the life of Mary Ann Fox. A recently sharpened blood stained table knife was found on the mantle-piece in the bedroom. Later..... at the time of the original article going to press, the mother and 2 of the children were making good progress but the other 2 children were in a grave condition. The children were George aged 9, Harry aged 4, Nelly aged 2 and the baby Kate was 6 months old. On Saturday the 21st of September in 1912, at the South Western Police Court, in London, Mary Ann Fox was charged with 'attempting to murder her 4 children' and a further charge was added of 'attempting to committee suicide.' The prisoner was very weak and was allowed a seat in the dock. Mary Ann Fox's son George, aged 9, was brought from the Battersea General Hospital to give evidence to the court. All four of the children were still in the care of the hospital. George in a low voice told the story of what happened that day whilst his mother sobbed through-out her little son's testimony. Doctor Armstrong Smith, House Surgeon at Battersea Hospital described the condition of the children, that they had suffered from incised wounds to the throat which involved the skin and the superficial veins but not the muscles. The children are doing very well and in a fair way to recovery. The prisoner condition was much more serious due to taking the poison. The court then heard that the sister of the prisoner wished to make a statement and this was granted. Mrs Kate Gale, Mary Ann Fox's sister who also lives in Sheepcote Lane gave the following statement. The previous night she had witnessed George Fox, the prisoner's husband, came home the worse for drink and using fowl language, then he throw out his wife's coat and hat in the street and told her to get out. Mary Ann Fox walked to the end of the street much distressed and it seems this type of behaviour had been occurring regularly especially over the past few nights. Mary Ann Fox was sent for trial to the Old Bailey Court and it was scheduled to take place in December of 1912 but all charges were dropped as Mary Ann Fox died from her internal injuries due to the hydrochloric acid she had previously taken. The strength of the hydrochloric acid was at a commercial level. This was quite an unusual event for all the first attenders to this incident, to be either senior members of the Metropolitan Police or a Police Surgeon. They worked well together to prevent the situation becoming an even greater tragedy than it was.

Hi, Thanks for that Gordon, as I had never heard of the ''Battle of Cable Street'' very interesting and policed by 6,000 officers, that is massive. It just shows the tensions that were around in 1936 and building up to the start of the Second World War in 1939.

Hi, The reason I put this entry under PC 881 Edward Watkins is that when I was considering getting the medals, I hesitated because I thought the murders were too horrific. It actually put me off wanting to own them but then I thought the real story is about the Policemen who prevented further murders by evil individuals such as Edgar Edwards. When you are talking about such extreme crimes then obviously individuals like Jack the Ripper are at the of the list and Policemen like PC 881 Edward Watkins who tried to catch him come to mind. I wonder if Jack the Ripper had been caught and hanged like Edgar Edwards, if the story would still hold as much interest as it does today. These medals were sourced in America which along with Australia and Canada, I believe, are the best places to keep watching for the occasional special finds. Another connection is that PC 881 Edward Watkins medal was located overseas in the same way. 'A truly horrific crime of the triple murder of the Darby family.' In December of 1902, Edgar Edwards aged 44, was a petty criminal that had just been released from prison after completing a five year sentence for housebreaking. John William Darby [26] and his wife Beatrice [28] and their 3 month old daughter Ethel, were all residing at 22 Wyndham Road, in Camberwell. John Darby managed his grocery business from the premises and it was advertised for sale in the local papers. Edgar Edwards responded to the advertisement and while John Darby was sorting out the paperwork, his wife Beatrice was showing Edgar Edwards the living quarter above the shop. Edgar Edwards took advantage of the situation to beat Beatrice to death with a sash window weight. Edgar Edwards then smashed John Darby's head with the same sash weight and then used sash window cord to strangle the baby. There is also other reports which say he used a hankerchief to strangle the baby and it was still tightly bound around the baby's neck when Police eventually discovered her little body. The bodies were placed in a locked room above the shop and Edgar Edwards got an old friend James Goodwin a hunchback and his wife to run the shop and they had strict instructions not to enter the locked living area quarters above the shop. Edgar Edwards then pawned John Darby's gold watch and chain and with the £7 he received, then rented a property at 89 Church Road, in Leyton. Edgar Edwards then cut up the bodies of the Darby family and placed the remains in sacks and transported them to 89 Church Road. There in the back garden he dug a deep five feet hole and buried the remains. Edgar Edward decided to continue his interest in this new style of employment and actually wanted to own a chain of grocery shops and of course without ever making any payments for the businesses. Therefore he invited Mr John Garland, an old grocer from Godrell Road, Victoria Park who was also advertising the sale of his grocery business, to visit him at 89 Church Road, in Leyton. There he severely beat the old man with another sash window weight which was wrapped in a newspaper but this time a passer-by heard the screams and the Police were called. John Garland had previously been a prize fighter in his younger days and that fact and because of his fitness, is probably the only reasons he was saved from being murdered. The Police were immediately suspicious of Edgar Edwards and his story soon started to unfold and the Police began to dig up the back garden at 89 Church Road, in Leyton. After digging down several feet the Police were considering stopping the operation. Edgar Edwards had taken the Darby's family pet black terrier dog with him to 89 Church Road and it was the dog that started to dig down further on the spot where the Police were working and so the Police continued the search until they found the sacks containing the body parts of the Darby family. The baby's body was found in a sack surrounded by the limbs of her mother. It is said that even hardest and most experienced Policemen found the discovery extremely distressing. At his Old Bailey trial on Thursday the 12th of February in 1903, Edgar Edwards attempted to feign insanity and he acted out strange behaviour throughout his trial but the court was having none of it. Edgar Edwards had pre-planned all his evil deeds and was declared sane to stand trial. The Police Surgeon Doctor Jenkins confirmed that John and Beatrice Darby had died from fractured skulls which were caused by repeated heavy blunt force trauma to the head and that the baby had died by strangulation. On Friday the 20th of February in 1903, Edgar Edwards was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging which was then carried out on the 3rd of March in 1903. Police Sergeant George Endean was responsible for drawing up the plans for the Old Bailey trial of Edgar Edwards. The plans would have also have indicated all the blood splatter that was found on the bedroom walls and the blood that had seeped through the floorboards to the ceilings below. It would have indicated where the blood stained sash window weight and blood stained saws were found in the house etc. There was even still human hair stuck to the sash window weight. George Thomas Endean, [born Devonport on the 21/1/1872] joined the Metropolitan Police on the 10/4/1893 as a Police Constable with 'L' or Lambeth division, warrant number 78503 and retired on pension on the 2/8/1920 as a Sub Divisional Inspector with 'V' or Wandsworth division. [Served as an Inspector in 'H' or Whitechapel division for several years until 1907 and involved in a number of other incidents as a Sub Divisional Inspector etc.] Here we have his Queen Victoria Metropolitan Police Jubilee medal for 1897 and awarded to 'PC G Endean L divn' and his Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911 and awarded to 'Insp. G Endean.' The group is missing his Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1902. Alan.

Hi, The sketch done of Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins was just so good, that there was only one course of action.....so I got it framed....and here it is. It is now approximately just a couple of inches under 2 feet in length and approximately 16 in width. Hope you like it. Alan.

Hi, I totally agree with you, I was amazed at the price it went for and it might be very difficult to research since he only served two years and his service is right between the two England Census dates ie 1891 and 1901. He was hardly in the door and then he was out again. Don't really understand that one?

Hi, Alas my theory has a fatal flaw...…….. Police Constable Edward Watkins served in the Metropolitan Police from the 31st of October in 1870 to 15th of May in 1871. The England Census of carried out on the 2nd of April in 1871 so Police Constable Edward Watkins was a Metropolitan Police Constable whilst boarding with the Greggs family at 2 Great Charlotte Street in Christchurch in Southwark. He applied for the City of London Police on the 22nd of May in 1871. He signed the Declaration for joining the City of London Police on the 25th of May in 1871.

Hi, Craig's observation ''and he gets a certificate for Good Conduct'' got me thinking from another perspective. Actually when you examine Edward Watkins City of London Police career, nearly all of his misdemeanors occurred during his first five years of service. Then over the next twenty years, Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins, was only involved in one incident which occurred in 1889. Although being a Victorian Policeman was considered a stead job, it was also considered a low paid job. In fact by 1890, their pay had fallen so much that the Government had to increase their pay by 15%, just to bring them up to some kind of basic standard. When Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins joined the City of London Police in 1871, he was recorded as boarding with the Greggs family at 2 Great Charlotte Street, in Christchurch, Southwark. On his ''Declaration for joining the City of London Police'' his wife/children are recorded as residing at 2 Bramley Street and from the England Census of 1871 we find Edward Watkins parents are residing at 3 Bramley Street. We have already established that Police Constable Edward Watkins weekly pay which started at 21 shilling per week was not an excessive amount of money. Therefore this original arrangement of boarding with one family whilst supporting his family in another residence, must have been extremely difficult and stressful for him. Whether this arrangement was done to reduce the travelling time/distance to his work or whether he was suffering from marital problems, we will never know. But maybe his early misdemeanors were party due to his early difficulties, as suggested in the above. Maybe this arrangement had to continue for several years and the stresses continued. Just some thoughts...…… Alan. Note The Declaration of the City of London Police states his residency is 2 Bramley Street. In the England Census of 1871 there is 3 member of the Watkins family residing at this address ie mother and two children but the names do not match up but I believe this is just a mistake to their details. In the England Census of 1871 we find Edward Watkins is employed as a Police Constable and boarding with the Greggs family. So we see the Declaration on joining the City of London Police is the first document to be completed and the England Census records were next.