Alan Baird

HI, An interesting point, is since Superintendent John George Shand retired from the '''Port of London Police Authority,''' then if his personal records have survived, they would be held at the '''River Archives, Museum of London Docklands''' and not with the '''London Metropolitan Archives.''' City of London Police personal files, that have survived, are to be found at the '''London Metropolitan Archives.'' I have not yet attempted to check on the status of Superintendent John George Shand's personal file with the River Archives but will do this at a latter date.

Hi, Here we have a '''City of London Coronation medal for 1902''' which was awarded to '''PC J G Shand''' but when he look closer at the history of Police Constable John George Shand, his story becomes an even more interesting........ The individual and medal has not been fully researched but here is what we have so far. John George Shand was born in Moray, in Scotland, in 1881. John George Shand, served in the Gordon Highlanders, prior to joining the City of London Police. Police Constable John George Shand was issued with the warrant number of 7147. In the England Census of 1911, John George Shand was an '''Acting Sergeant at Bishopsgate Police Station'''. Therefore he would have been involved in the, '''Houndsditch Murders,''' which took place in December of 1910 and or in the '''Sidney Street Siege''' which took place in January of 1911, in some form or another, over this extended period covering the two incidents. During the First World War years, John George Shand served in the C.I.D. and was especially commended for good work by the Home Secretary. Inspector John George Shand, in a newspaper article, it was stated that this Aberdonian had only missed out by 1 vote in getting the position of Chief Constableship of Maidstone. [Aberdeen Press and Journal dated 3/12/1921.] In 1926, John George Shand was in the rank of Chief Inspector and in charge of Cloak Lane Station and Division. In 1928, Chief Inspector John George Shand was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in charge of the Port of London Police Authority. When John George Shand retired he was still in the rank/position of Superintendent of the Port of London Police Authority.

HI, I just noticed that the jury, in the murder trial of Rose McCarthy, did an extremely kind gesture for the murdered girl's mother. At the bottom of the newspaper article it states the jury recorded :- '''''They expressed their sympathy with the mother of the deceased. to whom they handed their fees.''''' This is 1903, hardship and poverty would have been rife and the fees, would have been their jury fees. What a kind gesture and it speaks volumes about their high regard for Rose's mother and probably also for the deceased Rose McCarthy herself.

Hi, Here we have another Whitechapel or 'H' division Police Constable that may have attended the 'Sidney Street Siege etc.' Police Constable William Henry Parnell who served his entire Police career in Whitechapel. I will just give a quick summery of his Police career. William Henry Parnell was born in Devonport, in Devon, in 1871. William Henry Parnell joined the Metropolitan Police on the 23rd of May in 1892 and was attached to Whitechapel or 'H' division and given the warrant number of 77692. Awarded the Queen Victoria Metropolitan Jubilee medal for 1897 whilst serving in Whitechapel. Awarded the Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1902 whilst serving in Whitechapel. Awarded the Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911 whilst serving in Whitechapel. In the England Census of 1911, Police Constable William Henry Parnell and his wife Rose Parnell are residing at 59 Senrab Street, in the Mile End Old Town and have no children or lodgers. Police Constable William Henry Parnell was serving in Whitechapel or 'H' division during the period of the Sidney Street Siege etc. On the 18th of August in 1919, Police Constable William Henry Parnell retired on pension from the Metropolitan Police and Whitechapel or 'H' division. There was an interesting murder case in 1903, in which he was involved in. 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 and it should be made clear, neither of these two individuals were married or related to one another, just friends. 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. As I have already stated, they knew each other but were not connected or involved in any other way. 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 H Parnell was in Ship Alley, approximately 200 yards from the Crown Inn when he arrested the prisoner and cautioned him regarding his confession on 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 died. It appears from the evidence that Dennis McCarthy was a hard working individual and normally never drank but on this particular night, he had. 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 the evidence from the witnesses of his good character, probably save him from going to the gallows and was instead sentenced to 15 years hard labour. These Old Bailey trial records can be very interesting by detailing and highlighting real situations and how the Victorians or Edwardians viewed these cases and what justice meant to them in these cases.

Hi, Here we have 2 very small and detailed silver metal models of the German submarine U9. On the bottom of each model is marked 'U9' and then what looks like 'AM' and then marked '74.' I am at a loss to understand what these small models would have been used for ie was it some kind of naval game etc. Any information or suggestions most gratefully received.

Hi, I really enjoyed reading about Police Constable Frederick William Smoothy's story. What an interesting and great piece of research. Tks.

Hi, '''Seaman's Certificate of Discharge.''' Here we have a ''Seaman's Certificate of Discharge,'' which was issued to ''B Jago.'' [Bishop Jago or his full name Thomas Bishop Jago] who completed the round trip journey of sailing from Liverpool on the 17th of August in 1880, to India and returning to London. The voyage was completed on the 26th of April in 1881 and the Certificate of Discharge was then issued. Bishop Jago was 18 years old at the time of his journey and the S.S. Bengal was built in 1868. Thomas Bishop Jago went on to become a master mariner and a ship's Captain. It was during the Great War, Captain Thomas Bishop Jago commanded the S.S. Iberian and that he became involved in one of the most bazaare recorded incidents of the Great War. It involved the sinking of S.S. Iberian on the 30th of July in 1915. The British cargo ship SS Iberian was constructed in Sunderland in 1900. It was approximately 9 miles from Fastnet Rock, in Ireland when it encountered the German submarine U-28. German submarine U-28 had been commissioned for the Imperial German Navy on the 26th of June in 1914. Captain Freiherr Georg Von Forstner positioned U-28 for a torpedo attack on the merchant vessel. Captain Frostner fired a single torpedo which struck SS Iberian in the stern which killed 7 crew members. The stern sank first beneath the waves and the steamer sank so quickly that its bow went almost vertical in the air before sinking. Once the Iberian was submerged an enormous explosion took place which was probably due to her boilers exploding. The explosion caused wreckage to be thrown into the air but this is when an enormous sea monster was forced to the surface. This event was witnessed by the officers of U-28, describing it as being 20m long and looked like a giant crocodile. Captain Freiherr Georg Von Forstner officially recorded the encounter with the monster, Captain Thomas Bishop Jago survived the loss if his ship and later returned to the sea.

Hi, 'The story of a survivor from the sinkIng of HMS Hogue in 1914.' WW1 medals include :- 1914-14 Star, British War and Victory medals engraved '174050 G Huggins AB RN.' The Royal Fleet Reserve LSGC medal engraved '174050 CH B 4045 G Huggins AB RFR.' Able Seaman George Huggins was a Royal Navy reserve veteran who survived the sinking of HMS Hogue. This was during the infamous naval action which saw the sinking of HMS Hogue on the 22nd of September in 1914. German Captain Otto Weddigen's U9 submarine sank HMS Aboukir, HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue in less than one hour. George Huggins was born in Mile End, in Whitechapel, in London, on the 27th of February in 1878. He enlisted with the rank of Boy Class 2, on the 17th of August in 1893 and was stationed at the Boy's Training Facility Boscawen and was promoted to Boy Class 1, on the 16th of August in 1894. He was then promoted again, on the 27th of February in 1896 whilst serving aboard HMS Cruizer, to the rank of Ordinary Seaman. By June he was serving aboard HMS Ramillies and it was here he received his final promotion to Able Seaman. On the 2nd of June in 1906, Able Seaman George Huggins was released to the Royal Navy Reserve. During the Great War George Huggins was recalled to the Royal Navy and served aboard the armoured cruiser HMS Hogue which played a reservist role at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, towing HMS Arethusa back to port, after the fighting. On the 22nd of September in 1914, Captain Otto Weddigen commanding the German submarine U9, attacked HMS Aboukir, HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue, sinking all three ships and killing over 1,400 British sailors. HMS Hogue was the second ship to be attacked and was hit by a torpedo and shortly afterwards was hit again by a second torpedo, resulting in HMS Hogue capsizing within 10 minutes and sinking within 20 minutes. HMS Hogue is believed to have been the only ship that fired on its attacker. German submarine U9 fired two torpedoes in quick succession which resulted in U9 briefly surfacing due to the sudden change in her weight. Meanwhile Able Seaman George Huggins was rescued and later posted to the shore establishment Wildfire until the 7th of September in 1915. He was then transferred to HMS Mars and then later to HMS Tyne before being released from the service, unfit for further duty, on the 18th of April in 1917.

Hi, Police Constable Jesse Etheridge and is it possible he was present during the 'Sidney Street Siege.' Jesse Etheridge was born in Horley, St Bartholomew, in Surrey, on the 12th of May in 1888 and was baptised there on the 29th of July in 1888. Jesse's father, Charles Etheridge was a gardener/domestic and his mother was Annie Etheridge. But we are interested in his Metropolitan Police career which started when he joined the Constabulary on the 28th of March in 1910. Police Constable Jesse Etheridge was assigned to Whitechapel or 'H' division and given the warrant number of 98118. But my interest was to find out if Police Constable Jesse Etheridge was serving in Whitechapel during the, 'Houndsditch Murders,' in December of 1910 and was he serving there during the, 'Sidney Street Siege,' in January of 1911. The England Census of 1911 recorded Police Constable Jesse Etheridge as serving at the famous, 'Leman Street Police Station at 16 Tenter Street, Leman Street, London E.' He was 23 years old and single. This England Census of 1911 is quite a valuable record, as it records approximately 65 Police Officers who are stationed at Leman Street Police Station. It also confirms he was stationed in Whitechapel or 'H' division during the two events we are interested in and these two events form to make the one historic story. Police Constable Jesse Etheridge was awarded the Metropolitan Police Coronation medal for 1911 whilst serving as a Police Constable with Whitechapel or 'H' division and this is his full medal entitlement. The next record which was informative, was his marriage certificate. Police Constable Jesse Etheridge [29] marries Hedwig Minnie Amelia Ewert [30] at St Mark, Goodman's Field, in Tower Hamlets, on Christmas Day in 1917. Another record dates the marriage as Christmas Day in 1918 but I would go with the first date of 1917. The document records his place of residency as being 16 Tenter Street, London E. which is Leman Street Police Station so we can now confirm he has served there for approximately 8 years. Police Constable Jesse Etheridge completed his Police service and was pensioned out of the Metropolitan Police, on the 29th of March in 1936, as a Police Constable now serving with Finsbury or 'G' division. Unfortunately, his pension records are not yet available so we do not know when he finally transferred out of Whitechapel or 'H' division. In the England Census of 1939, Jesse Etheridge is recorded as being a Police Pensioner [68] and is still married to Hedwig M E Etheridge [69] and residing in the area of Dorking and Horley in Surrey. It will obviously be a long journey to try and find any references to Police Constable Jesse Etheridge actually being present at the Sidney Street Siege but maybe we will get lucky with some old newspaper account or other published information which will help in this area. It should be remembered there were approximately 750 Police personnel who attended the incident and the majority of these were Metropolitan Police personnel.

Hi, It suddenly came to me who the actress was in the photo that I uploaded. Not everybody might know or remember her but it was.......... Ingrid Bergman - 1941.

Hi, Observations on the play.......... An interesting point is that Mr Bandmann's production of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,' was rather basic in one important area. It was Mr Bandmann's transformation from Doctor Jekyll into Mr Hyde, as he simply put in false teeth to make the necessary change in his appearance to create the different character. I believe the London audience laughed when this was done on stage. Whilst Richard Mansfield excited and scared the audience with his transformation into Mr Hyde. He changed his facial features, his body posture, used makeup, special lighting and coloured filters etc. Richard Mansfield's transformation was so good that member of the public wrote letters to the police and to the press, that he should be considered as a suspect for the Jack the Ripper murders. One should remember, in Victorian times, these audiences believed that crime came from the lower classes and these were the people to fear. Now this play was suddenly questioning the reliability of professional classes and the crimes they may be associated with. All these suttle suggestions came from Mansfield's masterly depiction of the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde roles and making the transformation so believable that audiences were truly scared of what they saw. Remember London was in the grip of a series of horrifying murders that were being committed by 'Jack the Ripper' and this was spreading fear throughout London. The Ripper murders eventually impacted on the play and was eventually responsible for its closure in London. The uncanny timing of the 'play and murders,' occurring at the same period in history.

Hi, Here is a photograph of Robert Louis Stevenson. A famous actress from one of the productions of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but I just can't remember her name. A picture depicting Mr Hyde in the process of murder.

Hi, What did Edward Watkins enjoy doing in his spare time ie music halls or theatre etc, well we will probably never know. But this Liverpool theatre programme from 1888 does give us an insight into one theatrical aspect of social conflict which 'Jack the Ripper,' caused in 1888. It refers 3 times to the play, 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' which was about to leave London and be performed in Liverpool in December of 1888. A play about a respectable doctor during the day and a murderous fiend by night. The play, 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,' performed in London in 1888 and its connection to Jack the Ripper............. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, 'Dr Henry Jekyll and Mr Edward Hyde,' and the book was published in 1886. It was about a respectable London doctor who creates a potion to separate the good and evil which is locked within every individual. The doctor experiments with a potion on himself and releases the loathsome and murderous Mr Hyde. An unauthorised version of the play by Mr Bandmann, first opened in March of 1888, on Broadway, in America and he later took the play to London in August of 1888. It was in direct competition with an authorised version which starred with Richard Mansfield. Both plays opened in London in August of 1888 but only Mr Mansfield's production was allowed to continue due to copyright regulations. It is said that audiences originally loved the play especially due to Richard Mansfield's transformation from Dr Jekyll to the loathsome and criminal Mr Hyde. The theory that a doctor could be respectable by day and a murderer by night fascinated audiences. The critics, on the other hand, did not think the play was very memorable. Within a month of the play's opening, the East End of London was terrorised by the 'Jack the Ripper murders.' Maybe this East End murderer was also a respectable man who could later turn into a hidious criminal etc. The press also picked up on this idea especially since Jack the Ripper never seemed to get caught. On the 5th of October in 1888, the City of London Police received a letter suggesting Mr Mansfield should be considered as a suspect, as the actor could have easily disguised himself and committed the murders. Richard Mansfield attempted to defuse the public's concerns by staging the London opening of the comedy, 'Prince Karl' and performing the play for charity. On the 1st of December in 1888, Richard Mansfield took his company and left London and played 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' to audiences in Liverpool and Darby and also performed other plays, in other cities around England. Richard Mansfield and his company, in June of 1889, returned to America. Richard Mansfield had accumulated considerable debt due to the production costs and mediocre attendances on his England tour. The free publicity and the connection between 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' and 'Jack the Ripper' had not helped the success of the venture.

Hi, I was wondering how the 'serious assault' on Police Constable 337H James Clarke may have affected his Police career but it appears, it did not affect his career, as he continued to serve with the Metropolitan Police until he retired on pension in 1924. Warrant number 85497. Joined on the 4th of September in 1899, as a Police Constable with Whitechapel or 'H' division. Retired on pension on the 8th of September in 1924, as a Police Constable with Islington or 'N' division. The records also stated he served in the British Army during the Boer War. Earlier Metropolitan Police pension records would sometimes identify periods of sickness which involved on-duty injuries but since he retired in 1924, I am not sure it this later record would detail such information. Anyway I am unable to access his pension records on ancestry at the moment.

Hi, Just a little more information of the above arrests. Shortly after the vicious assault on Police Constable 337H James Clarke, a force of Police Constables was assembled to arrest Robert Clarke and Joseph Cole. In fact it was just before 1.30am that they reached 116 Eastfield Street to arrest Robert Clarke and other officers, were at the same time, arresting Joseph Cole, approximately 100 yards away in the same street. This was an extremely fast arrest after the assault of Police Constable 337 James Clarke. Robert Clarke was partially dressing in bed and was still wearing his trousers, shirt and socks. Robert Clarke was taken as he was and went quietly to the station. I believe he had a motion in his trousers by the time he was placed in the cells. Joseph Cole on the other hand, had to be dragged from his bed and refused to assist in any way so he was escorted more forceably to the station and to the cells. The Constables seemed to work in groups ie some removed the prisoners from their rooms and then handed the prisoners to other officers waiting on the ground floor of the premises etc. There was never a chance that either of the prisoner's could escape and I suppose the fact that neither of the prisoners were wearing their boots also ensured an uneventful passage to the Police Station. To ensure everything was done professionally, Charles Graham Grant [Police Surgeon/'H' divn.] examined the 2 prisoners were in good health.

Hi, ''An assault on a Police Constable.'' Inspector Henry Frost of Whitechapel or 'H' division and the assault on Police Constable 337H James Clarke, causing grievous bodily harm. On the 5th of February in 1906, an Old Bailey trial took place in which Robert Clarke [26] and Joseph Cole were charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Police Constable 337H James Clarke, The incident actually occurred on the 2nd of December in 1905 between Saturday night and Sunday morning, after the public houses had closed. A group of men were shouting and singing outside the Salisbury Arms public house and Police Constable James Clarke requested them to keep the noise down. One of the group of men was Robert Clarke who had previously been arrested/convicted and fined due to Police Constable 337H James Clarke's evidence in court. In an unprovoked attack, Robert Clarke suddenly punched and repeatedly kicked the Police Constable and Joseph Cole also assisted in this attack. Police Constable 337H James Clarke was repeatedly knocked to the ground and kicked again and again in the stomach and abdomen. At one point Police Constable 337H James Clarke managed to draw his truncheon and strike Robert Clarke on the head before again being overpowered. The Police Constable somehow managed to get into a nearby butcher's shop and was assisted to leave through the back entrance. Police Constable 337H James Clarke was now barely conscious and was found by two other Police Constable and two civilians and they assisted the injured Constable back to the Police Station. Inspector Henry Frost [Insp. 'H' divn.] at the Police Station found Police Constable 337H James Clarke in a state of almost total collapse due to the severe kicks/beatings especially to his stomach/abdomen area of his body. A statement was taken from the injured Police Constable. Charles Graham Grant, the 'H' division Police Surgeon found the Police Constable was in great distress due to his injuries to his abdomen and was passing blood and having pain in passing water etc. An ambulance took the injured Police Constable to his place of residence. The Police Surgeon visited and examined the Police Constable over the next few days to check on his condition. The internal injuries resulted in Police Constable 337H James Clarke being on the sick list for over 2 months. Both Robert Clarke and Joseph Cole resided in Eastfield Street and only lived approximately 100 yards apart. About 18 Police Constables were present to arrest these two individuals, as they were known to be difficult individuals and this was considered a rough area where they lived. They were taken from their beds and without even being fully dressed and marched to the Police Station. Robert Clarke had a head wound which had been bleeding and had been dressed and which was the result of the truncheon blow from Police Constable 337H James Clarke's truncheon. Robert Clarke was found guilty of the charge and sentenced to 4 years penal servitude and Joseph Cole for his slightly smaller role in the attack was sentenced to 21 months with hard labour. Observations........ they only hit Police Constable 337H James Clarke several blows to the face and head and Robert Clarke carried out most of his attack against the Police Constable's stomach and abdomen area of his body. It is much more difficult to bruise these lower body area's because it is all soft tissue with very little bone matter in the vicinity but the damage could be considerable. I think Robert Clarke knew what he was doing and decided on this style of assault. .......................The arresting Police Constables appear to have resisted the temptation of physical revenging the attack on their colleague. They appear to have been very professional and took no chances. The suspects were forcefully removed from their beds and marched semi-clothed, for all to see, back to the Police Station. Some individuals attempted to provide items of clothing ie boots, jackets to the prisoners whilst on their way to the Police Station etc but the Police Constable were not stopping until the prisoners were in Police custody and in their cells.

Hi, Here is another officer that was stationed in Whitechapel or 'H' division during the ''Sidney Street Siege incident.' Here we have a Queen Victoria Metropolitan Police Jubilee medal for 1887 and with the 1897 clasp and was awarded to 'PC H Frost P divn.' Police Service Summary. Henry Silvester Frost joined the Metropolitan Police on the 5th of April in 1886 and was issued with the warrant number of 71452. PC Henry Frost was assigned to Camberwell or 'P' division. In 1887, PC Henry Frost is awarded the above medal whilst serving with Camberwell or 'P' division. On the 8th of March in 1893, PC Henry Frost was transferred to Hammersmith or 'T' division. In 1897, PC Henry Frost was awarded the 1897 Jubilee Clasp for taking part in Queen Victoria's Jubilee Parade through London whilst serving as a PC with 'T' division. On the 4th of September in 1897, Henry Silvester Frost was promoted to Police Sergeant and transferred to Greenwich or 'R' division. In 1902, Police Sergeant Henry Frost was awarded the Coronation medal whilst serving as a PS in Greenwich or ''R' division. This medal is missing. On the 7th of May in 1903, Police Sergeant Henry Frost was promoted to Station Sergeant and transferred to Clapham or 'W' division. In 1904, Station Sergeant Henry Silvester Frost was promoted to Inspector and transferred to Whitechapel or 'H' division. This is the period of his service that we are especially interested in and will detail later. On the 5th of February in 1906, Inspector Henry Frost attended the Old Bailey trial against 2 individuals that had assaulted a Whitechapel Police Constable and this will be detailed later on in this input. In January of 1911 whilst the 'Battle of Sidney Street,' was taken place, Inspector Henry Frost was still serving with Whitechapel or 'H' division. At the height of the incident there were approximately 750 Metropolitan and City of London Police officers attending this major incident. The majority of these officers would have been Metropolitan Police personnel. We cannot, at this time confirm that Inspector Henry Front was in attendance at this incident but hopefully ongoing research might establish the details more clearly. On the 10th of April in 1911, Inspector Henry Silvester Frost retired from Whitechapel or 'H' division and the Metropolitan Police. Here are some details concerning Henry Silvester Frost and family. Henry Silvester Frost born 11/10/1863, Portsea Hants. Henry's father is George William Frost and his mother is Charlotte Amelia Frost [nee Guy. Henry's mother dies and his father remarries Eliza Pooley on the 28/7/1878, in the Parish of Carshalton, in Surrey. In the England Census of 1881, Henry is 17 years old and is recorded as being an unemployed Grocer's assistant and the family are residing in Carshalton. In 1884, Henry S Frost marries Mary Lampard, in the District of Carshalton, in Surrey. England Census of 1891, Police Constable Frost and his wife Mary now have 2 children and are residing at 59 London Road, in Sydenham, in Lewisham. In the England Census of 1901, Police Sergeant Henry S Frost and family are now residing at 29 Eltham Road, Eltham and now have three children. In the England Census of 1911, Police Inspector Henry Frost [47] and family are now residing at 3 Rectory Square, in Stepney East, in the Parish of Mile End Old Town. In 1912, Mary Louisa Frost [24], Henry S Frost's daughter is recorded as marrying in Stepney, in Tower Hamlets. The family home is still recorded as being at 3 Rectory Square, Mile End Old Town. On the 17th of January in 1951, Henry Silvester Frost dies in London.

City Detective Constable James Ferguson giving evidence at the following three trials, at the Old Bailey. Old Bailey trial, dated the 8th of September in 1896. Henry Lavender, William Dear and Peter Henry Bock charged with deception and fraud. They used false pretences to obtain from drivers and tradesmen their goods with the intent to defraud. City Detective Constable Ferguson was following the suspects and observing and gathering both information and evidence. All three sentenced to 5 years Penal Servitude each. Old Bailey trial, dated the 8th of September in 1908. Thomas Finn and Frederick Edwards charged with stealing 4 reams of account book paper. Finn sentenced to 10 months hard labour. Edwards sentenced to 14 months hard labour. Old Bailey trial, dated the 16th of November in 1909. William Johnston, Frederick Sullivan and Frank Ellis charged with breaking and entering a shop and stealing cigar and cigarettes and other goods. Sullivan sentenced to 2 months hard labour, Ellis sentenced to 3 months hard labour and Johnston released on his own recognisance. City Police Constable James Ferguson appears to have been a very good Policeman and had only have ''2 on report incidents'' against his name and this is over a period of nearly 24 years of service with the City of London Police. The original incident of being drunk on duty in July of 1893 was his one mistake because I believe the second incident of being drunk on duty, on the 23rd of December in 1910, was caused by the personality changes that occur when you are in the final stages of being infected with ''General Paralysis.'' Remembering that within the next six months James Ferguson will be officially diagnosed as having this disease and retired as unfit for further service with the City of London Police. I have only enclosed one example of DC Ferguson at the Old Bailey and it relates to Peter Henry Bock case etc. The photographs only briefly summarise the case, as the document covers 18 pages of information.

I have added some additional photographs to help make reading the documents clearer. I think, it might just be that I need new reading glasses.

Hi, City Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins served in the Metropolitan Police from the 31st of October in 1870 to the 15th of May in 1871 so why did he leave the Metropolitan Police to join the City of London Police? I believe, that part of the answer to that question, can be found in City Police Constable James Ferguson's records. Item No1. I remember reading somewhere that the rate of pay for the City of London Police was greater in value, than that rate of pay which was given to the Metropolitan Police. The City of London Police was a much smaller force which meant it would have been easier to pay a slightly greater amount and especially since they were protecting the more prosperous square mile of London. Item No 2. The, 'City Police Hospital,' was operational from 1866 to 1947 and was located behind the Bishopsgate Police Station which was built in 1861. It was established by the Police Surgeon Mr Borlase Childs and he also arranged the financing for the project. It was staffed by a Matron and several nurses and a surgeon was also employed. They also used Police Officers that were placed on 'light duties,' as porters and they would wear a blue uniform. Any Policemen that were likely to be absent form duty for more than a few days were obliged to attend the Hospital for assessment and they would treat officers who were injured in the line of duty etc. On admission they would receive free medial and nursing care. Conclusion. I think Edward Watkins in 1870, would have been persuaded by the better rate of pay and additionally the bonus of a good Police healthcare system. I have also attached two photographs of the England Census for 1911 relating to the ''City Police Hospital'' and it identifies those employed by the hospital and those that are patients in the hospital.

James Ferguson and the City of London Police :- James Ferguson was born in the Parish of Neithrope, near the town of Banbury, in Oxfordshire, in 1861. From the 27th of May in 1878 to the 12th of November in 1884, James Ferguson served in the 22nd Middlesex Volunteers, From July of 1886 to June of 1887, James Ferguson worked as a cigar maker with the company of J R Freeman & Son. On the 28th of July in 1887, James Ferguson applied to join the City of London Police and his physical description was recorded as being........ 25 years and 10 months old. Five feet and nine inches tall. Hazel eyes. Dark hair. Dark complexion. No distinguishing marks. Marital status - single. James Ferguson on joining the City of London Police was lodging with the Brider family at 21 Cottage Lane, City Road which was the place where James Kelly murdered his new wife Sarah Ann Kelly [nee Brider] in 1883 and who was considered as a possible suspect for the Jack the Ripper murders. We can evidence the City Police Constable James Ferguson remained lodging at this address before, during and after the Jack the Ripper murders. James Kelly was found guilty of murder but was deemed to be 'insane' and sent to Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum. On Monday the 23rd of January in 1888, James Kelly escaped from Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum and it is believed returned to London and remained at large for several decades. On the 23rd of September in 1887, City Police Constable James Ferguson was certified fit for the service and started on a 3rd Class rate of pay at 25/- shillings per week and is issued with the collar number of 439 and the warrant number of 5955. On the 27th of September in 1888, City Police Constable James Ferguson had advanced to 2nd Class rate of pay at 28/- shillings. On the 7th of July in 1893, City of London Police Constable James Ferguson was placed ''on report'' for being drunk whilst on duty and his rate of pay was reduced to, ''3rd Class rate of pay,'' as a punishment. On the 10th of May in 1895, City Police Constable James Ferguson is advanced to the rank of Detective Constable [Collar number 883 and it later changed to 1128] and on a rate of pay of 34/- shillings per week and there was also an allowance of 5/- shillings. In 1897, awarded the City of London Queen Victoria Jubilee medal. On the 2nd of November in 1898, City Detective Constable James Ferguson is awarded 10/- shillings for praiseworthy conduct in detecting and arresting two men for stealing and receiving bicycles. In 1902, awarded the City of London Coronation medal. On the 23rd of December in 1910, City Detective Constable James Ferguson is, ''on report,'' for rendering himself unfit, through drink, to perform his duty at 12 midnight. He was reduced to 3rd Class rate of pay and returned to uniform duties. I suspect Police Constable James Ferguson's collar number now changes to 74D and later it again changes to 79B. It is extremely likely that this change in behaviour was due to the fact he is now suffering from ''General Paralysis'' also known as ''General Paralysis of the Insane,'' and within approximately the next 6 months, he will be officially diagnosed as having the disease. On the 7th of June in 1911, there is a report from the, ''City Police Hospital,'' which was located adjacent to Bishopsgate Police Station that City Police Constable 79B James Ferguson is no longer fit for duty as he is suffering from ''General Paralysis.'' James had completed 23 years and 10 months of service. On the 8th of June in 1911, City Police Constable James Ferguson is retired as unfit for duty and awarded a pension of £54.5s.4d. James Ferguson leaves the City Police Force with a certificate which rates his conduct as ''good.''

Hi, The London Metropolitan Archives sent me an 'e' mail the other day which I thought was very nice..........they were just letting me know the individual who is dealing with the Police Constable 883 James Ferguson enquiry....... is off on leave for a week but will continue with my order on his return. I just thought they were very professional in keeping me informed on what was happening and it was much appreciated.

The photograph of the brain.......that is what happens when you had ''General Paralysis.''

''Obtaining information from the London Metropolitan Archives regarding Police Constable 883 James Ferguson.'' I received an 'e' mail from the London Metropolitan Archives yesterday [5/10/21] stating they had received the £20 fee and can now confirm the following regarding the contents of Police Constable 883 James Ferguson's personal file. It contains the following :- ''James Ferguson's application for joining the City of London Police,'' includes 4 x A4 single sheet colour prints. ''Record of Service Sheet,'' includes 3 x A4 single sheet colour prints. ''Unfit for Service document,'' includes 1 x A4 single sheet colour print. ''Report Sheet,'' includes 1 x A4 single sheet colour print. Total of 9 x A4 shingle sheet colour prints = £45. I have now sent away the required sum to ensure I receive all the pages from the document. It is a bit like doing a lottery, there is real potential of discovering something special but you also know you have much of the information already. For example, the ''Unfit for Service document,'' we already know that James Ferguson died from ''General Paralysis'' which is also known as ''General Paralysis of the Insane.'' Of those infected by syphilis, only approximately 7% go on to develop general paralysis and the prognosis is quite simple ''your going to die and it is not going to be very nice.'' It is most common in men and your end up bedridden and completely disoriented. By the 1940's the disease was eradicated by the widespread use of penicillin. Hopefully, I will post photographs of the additional 9 single sided pages of information within the next two weeks. It is also interesting to note that James Kelly, the murderer, was also infected with venereal disease and at one point attempted to treat himself so that he could keep his secret from the Brider family.

Interesting facts :- Here we can identify 3 City of London Police Constables who all joined the City of London Police Constabulary in 1871 and were still using their originally issued collar numbers in 1888. [During the Jack the Ripper period] Police Constable 881 Edward Watkins. Police Constable 882 Joseph Phipps. Police Constable 883 James Ferguson. Police Constable 883 James Ferguson's full history is located on page 8 within this particular thread but here is a summary of the important points. On the 26th of July in 1887, James Ferguson joins the City of London Police and is residing at 21 Cottage Lane, City Road. James is lodging with the Brider family. This address would have been well known locally because James Kelly murdered his wife of only three weeks, ''Sarah Ann Kelly'' [nee Brider], in the family home in 1883. James grabbed Sarah around the neck, pushing her head down on the floor, stabbed her with his penknife in the neck, digging away with the blade into the wound and she died soon afterwards in hospital. Mrs Brider attempted to stop the attack on her daughter but was thrown across the room knocking her unconscious. James Kelly was found ''guilty of murder'' and ''sentenced to death'' but later this was commuted to ''murder whilst insane'' and he was sentenced to be held at Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum indefinitely. James Kelly was a cunning, volatile, devious and a manipulative individual. James was employed as an upholsterer and used various knives and sharp tools and knew the Whitechapel/East End district very well. James was a loner and had problems relating to women and so used prostitutes to relieve his sexual needs. He suffered from mental instability throughout his life an was also infected with a sexually transmitted disease. There are several published books which consider James Kelly as a possible Jack the Ripper suspect. On the 23rd of January in 1888, the insane James Kelly, after several years of careful planning escaped from Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum and headed back to London. The Metropolitan Police obviously considered James Kelly as a possible suspect for Jack the Ripper because they officially questioned Mr and Mrs Brider about their daughter's murderer. They also at one point raided 21 Cottage Lane to ensure he was not hiding at the premises. After James Kelly was sentenced to death, Mr and Mrs Brider added their names to a petition to request clemency in an attempt to prevent the death sentence from being carried out and one should also remember that James Kelly had resided at 21 Cottage Lane for some considerable time prior to the marriage and murder. Now back to Police Constable 883 James Ferguson who on the 24th of October in 1889 married Ellen Mary Brider. She was the sister of the murdered Sarah Ann Kelly [nee Brider] and the marriage certificate states that James Ferguson was still residing with the Brider family at 21 Cottage Lane, City Road. Therefore Police Constable 883 James Ferguson was residing at the famous 21 Cottage Lane before and during the investigation and hunt for Jack the Ripper and after the investigation had ended. James Kelly evaded capture for decades and never explained his whereabouts for the late 1888. In fact it was not until the 11th of February in 1927 when he handed himself into the ''Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum authorities'' that he was recaptured. By this time he was an old man in poor health and almost totally deaf. James Kelly soon realised he did not care for being back within the walls of Broadmoor but he was too old and carefully watched which prevented him from escaping again. On Tuesday the 17th of September in 1929, James Kelly dies in Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum and took his secrets of what he actually did and where he was in 1888/1889 to his grave. It is known he left London and travelled to France and travelled extensively in America and Canada over the decades. Prior to Covid, I had attempted to find out if Police Constable 883 James Ferguson had a personal file at the London Metropolitan Archives but the museum had closed down. In the last week, I sent another 'e' mail to them requesting information on this subject and they have replied and confirmed his personal file had survived but only consisted of 9 sides of A4 paper and also gave me some details from the City of London Warrant Book relating to him. I filled in the form attachment and sent it away with a cheque for £20 so that they can delve into the file and give m an exact itemised list of the pages and the cost of duplicating those pages. It will probably work out at approximately £5 per A4 single side page to photocopy but their reply will inform me of the charges. They are usually very helpful and tell you when a page has little information on it so that your can make an informed judgement on whether to copy that individual page or not. I will post the results of the information I receive on Police Constable 883 James Ferguson probably in a couple of weeks time.