Odin Mk 3

Sorry we have cross wires here - when you wrote - 'was told the pension records do not actually contain post service info' I assumed you meant that the pension records did not contain any details of positions a man had served in (ie posts he held while in service) - but now I see you meant what did he do post his police career.

The answer is no the Met were not really interested what he did after he left the police - some men never worked again while others did get another job - but why would the Met want to know that as it had no effect on his police pension.

All they tended to record in pension records was the man's address on leaving, his wife's name and usually they also show when he died (which stopped his pension).  If his wife got a widow's pension it was usually a flat rate small payment - in 1918 this was 10/- (50p a week). 

Unfortunately I don't have a service sheet for John James - his warrant number was 66101 which is too early for these so I can't tell you what he did before he joined the Police.  The 1881 census might help you there if you do find him.

I'll look at your latest addition but I think you are not quite right with what police stations were in which divisions.  It might be best if I start a new post which shows which police stations were in each division.

Sorry I should add that my last two comments refer to John James - I got confused because I have been answered so many different queries in this same thread. 

For Percy his service sheets are not yet at Kew and so I can't tell you what he did before he joined the police.