SCcollector

Another letter dated later in December 1914. Lesbury District. Bondgate Alnwick 21/12/14. Dear Sir, Herewwith please find my report regarding arrangements in connection with the "Duties of The Local Emergency Committee" which I trust is satisfactory. Belive me, Yours faithfully, Tom R Reavell Group Leader. R.Middlemass Esq., Alnwick. enclosure.. Lesbury District Duties of the Local Emergency Committee. 1. Appointment of Special Constables. Completed. 2. Cycle Despatch Corps. The Special Constables who ride Motor Cycles have been instructed in their duties. 3. Selection of Collecting Areas for Transport Animals. The road westward selected for this district is a good private Bye-road leading from Boulmer to the Parks via Ratcheugh Sea Blazes, Denwick and the pasture (See Map of District). 4. Livestock. 5. Transport Vehicles. This, except the Register of Cycles has been completed. The Register will be forwarded top you as soon as completed. 6. Entrenching Tools. Completed. 7. Registration of Labourers. None available in the district. 8. Assist Supply Offices. 9. Petrol, Rubber Tyres etc. None in this ditrict. 10. Boats & Barges. Those at Boulmer I understand are not considered useful to the enemy. 11. Special Constables at Cross Roads. Carefully arranged and written instructions given. 12. Direct the Civil Population.

Here is a letter from Thomas R Reavall, Group Leader, Group No.1., Ledbury, to Mr Middlemass :- Ledbury District. Fountain House, Bondgate, Alnwick. December 5th. 1914. Dear Sir, I have obtained several more suitable names for Special Constables in Boulmer and Loghoughten (South of the Boundary Road) and as they are willing to do anything if called on, I have sent their names to Supt. Bolton. Collecting Areas and suggested route by minor roads for the removal of Transport and Stock etc. has been planned and I shall be able to give you a rough sketch with full particulars in my next report. I am proceeding with register of owners of Bicycles, Motors etc. and will give you full details as early as possible. Yours faithfully, T.R.Reavell R.Middlemass Esq., Bondgate, Alnwick.

On further examination of the Northumberland it seems that the file owner was Mr Middlemass, Group Leader. I can only repeat what has been said earlier about the lack of records relating to Special Constabularies and salute Mr Middlemass and his descendants for keeping this file safe.

Another report from Mr Wade, Group Leader, from around the same period :- ALNWICK. "B" or Alnwick Special Constable Police Division. ALNWICK SOUTH GROUP. REPORT OF GROUP LEADER. The following steps have been taken by me since receiving instructions from the Emergency Committee :- 1. I have written to the Tradesmen and others within my Area to supply me with Lists of the number and quantity of the following tools &c. a. Entrenching tools i.e. Spades, Shovels, Pickaxes &c. b. Barbed and other Wire, Wire Netting &c. c. Axes, Saws and Bill Hooks. d. Anything useful for blocking Roads or for building field works. e. Cycles. f. Motor Cars, Motor Wagons and Motor Cycles. g. Petrol and other liquid fuel. h. Horses. i. Carts, Wagons, Barrows Vans &c. j. Rifles. k. Guns. l. Pistols. m.Revolvers. n. Ammunition. This information is coming in and when completed a statement will be prepared. 2. I have written to the Grocers and Provision Merchants enquiring in the event of the landing of the enemy in the neighbourhood what arrangements they propose making for the removal or destruction of their stock. 3. I have now received a List of the Special Constables forming my Group and intend callinf them together next week to instruct them generally as to their duties and to alert to each the particular duty or duties to be carried out by him in the event of an invasion. 4. I understand that the Owners of Live Stock within my Area have already been given instructions as to the branding, removal or destruction of same. Dated this 4th day of December 1914. Marcus.I.Wade Group Leader.

The transcription below is from a report by Marcus.I.Wade, Group Leader, No2. Group, Alnwick :- ALNWICK. "B" or Alnwick Special Constable Police Division. ALNWICK SOUTH GROUP. REPORT OF GROUP LEADER. Since my report of the 4th instant I have had a Meeting of the Members of my Group and discussed with them generally the duties that would devolve upon them in the event of an Invasion. The disposal of my Group is as follws :- REMOVAL OF CATTLE AND FARM STOCK : Messrs W. Robinson, J.sordy and R.Rickaby have been appointed to direct and see that this is properly carried out.. CYCLE DESPATCH CORPS : Messrs J.Purviss, J.Fairburn, W.Hudson, A.H.Hare and Frank Wallace. CROSS ROADS : The following will be stationed as under :- Lemmington Bank - J.Brown. Mossy Ford Bridge - W.Young. Clayport Top - W.Bell. Royal Oak - J.Armstrong. Rugley Road End - J.D.Thompson. Hadwins Close - Harry Forster. whose duties will be to direct all animals, Transport vehicles, Inhabitants and Military. THE TOWN : That portion of the Town within my Area has been sub-divided into blocks running South as under which the following Members are stationed : Clayport Top to St. Michael's Lane - James Gray. Clayport Prudhoes Road End - D.T.Castles. St Michael's Lane to Hotspur Tower - Thomas Forster. Hotspur Tower to the Railway Station - T.F.Cunningham. New Buildings - R.Holt. Railway Station to Royal Oak - E.Croudace. Royal Oak to Alndyke - A.Smith. whose duties will be to see to the Removal of all animals, Transport vehicles, Bicycles, Barbed Wire, Entrenching Tools etc. and the direction of the Inhabitants. RENDEZVOUS : - On the alarm being given all the Members (with the exception of Messrs Robinson, Sordy, Rickaby, G.Brown and Frank Wallace) will assemble at the Police Station to receive Final Instructions before taking up their positions. With reference to : - (a) Messrs Robinson, Sordy and Rickaby a Despatch Rider will be sent to warn them to act. (b) G.Brown is to proceed without delay to his Station at Lemmington Bank Top. © Frank Wallace has instructions in the event of the alarm occurring during the night to proceed with all despatch on his motorcycle to Edlingham Station and warn the Station Master to make immediate preparations for the running of Trains from Alnwick. Dated this 24th day of December 1914. Marcus.I.Wade Group Leader.

Here is another interesting letter to Robert Middlemass from the year 1914. Unfortunately, I am unable to decipher the signature. It may be Arthur Schofield, but I cannot be sure. He appeared to part of the divisional structure above Group Leaders and several papers are in the bundle :- LINT CLOSE ALNMOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND 8th December 1914. Tel. 13. Almouth. Dear Sir, At the meetiong of the Central Committee yesterday the Collecting Areas we had selected were approved, and I havee this morning a letter from the Chief Constable formally agreeing to this. INSTRUCTIONS :- It was agreed that the Lord Lieutenant should write to the newspapers giving a list of the various local Emergency Committees and some outline of their duties and this will be done forthwith. INSTRUCTIONS TO CIVIL POPULATION :- I have tried hard to get permission for our instructions to be printed and circulated but after full consideration the Military representatives declined to allow this, and finally it was agreed that the Committee might issue written instructions to special constables who in turn were only to give verbal instructions. SPECIAL CONSTABLES :- It was laid down that they must be non-combatents, must not carry firearms and cannot therefore join the Volunteer Association which was refered to in Circular E. CIVIL POPULATION :- It was pointed out that the special constables could not compel them to move, they could only give full information and then the responsibility would rest upon the person who declined to shift. The Military, however, could use compulsion and they would certainly do so in case the emergeny required it. Yours faithfully, Arthur Schofield ? Robert Middlemass Esq., Alnwick

Hello, Another transcription relating to the coastal areas. This one is undated and unsigned :- Confidential There is reason to believe that German agents seeking to enter or leave this Country and finding ordinary passenger routes closely watched may endeavour to enter or leave on small merchant vessels, especially at minor ports and creeks, etc. The Port Authorities have been warned against the possibility of such attempts being made, and I am to request that the Police may also be instructed to exercise special vigilance.

Hi again, The file was too big to upload so here is the transcription :- CHIEF CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, MORPETH, 28th December 1914. MEMORANDUM to Special Constables within three miles of the Coast. POSSIBLE BOMBARDMENT. 1. - After the event at Hartlepool it is only proper that instructions should be issued to you how to act in a similar attack be experienced by your Town or District: you will understand I am only talking of a bombardment, which probably would be over in 45 minutes or an hour. In this order I am not alluding to an attempted Invasion. 2. - The experience of the Hartlepools shows that the best chance of safety lies in the people remaining in their own houses and not going out into the streets. Should there be any cellar, that would be the best place, otherwise the basement and the back or whichever side is furthest from the enemy's guns. 3. - Your duty therefore, in the event of a bombardment, will be to wait for no further orders but immediately to act in the district surrounding your own dwelling, or where you may be at the time, by using all your efforts towards keeping the inhabitants off the streets and generally inducing them to carry out the suggestions contained in Paragraph 2. 4. - When the firing has ceased you will thoroughly visit the area for which you are acting and remove to hospital those who are injured, being careful to see that a building which has been hit and damaged has not buried in it ruins any human beings requiring help. Fires would also probably have broken out and would require immediate attention. Fullarton James, Chief Constable of Northumberland.

Hello, Thanks Leigh. That would make a lot of sense as the letter that I have in the Hartlepool bundle mentions an incident at Hartlepool and gives advice to Special Constables living within three miles of the sea on what to do in such a case. I will try to upload it. If that fails I will copy the details as it is quite interesting. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello, I've attached a couple of images of the Hartlepool medal, the contents of which are fairly self explanatory. Hatrlepool is mentioned in the Northumberland bundle that I sorting through at the moment but I think the reference refers to naval bombardment rather that an attack from the air. I will try to scan the page, if not I will copy the contents. Kind regards, Kevin

Hi, I've managed to attach this postcard relating to waterworks. Kevin

Hello Brian, A very nice group. It seems likely that the PC, in retirement, answered the call in 1914 and joined as a SC. Very interesting. I had tried to load a humorous WW1 postcard depicting Special Constable guarding a waterworks but the file was too big. I have attached, however, a couple of images of the Birmingham Waterworks medal which was awarded to those lucky enough to spend the war guarding the water supply for the city. Kevin

Hello Mervyn, The records are incomplete for the whole of the Division. The figure that I have managed to tease out are :- No. 1 Group. 21 No. 2 Group. 21 No. 3 Group. 17 (revised) No. 4 Group. 22 A guess would be around 230 SCs serving in the whole of "B" Division spread over the twelve groups. That's the best I can do I'm afraid. Kevin

Hello, OK. So far so good. By my reckoning No.3 Group at Denwick had nine Special Constables under Mr Middlemass, the Group Leader. I will fill as many gaps as I can when I can. If the detail is too much then please do not hestitate to let me know. I personally feel that the maximum information shared helps to ensure that it is retained after our time but this may not be the view of everyone. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Mervun, I have tried to load one on the divisional lists below. Kievin

Hello Mervyn, In answer to your question about numbers, I have started to tease out some documents - some of which I cannot copy due to size, dirt etc... As a start I have collated information on the structure of "B" Division which should put into context the later information on speciic numbers per Group. I have copied the contents of a two page document which is, unfortunately, undated. "A" OR ALNWICK DIVISION. SPECIAL CONSTABLES. EAST COQUERTDALE WARD PETTY SESSIONS DIVISION. PARISH COMMANDER - Leslie. R. Pym, Thornhill, Alnwick. Deputy " " - Thomas.A.Thorp, Bondgate Hall, Alnwick. No. 1 GROUP - Group Leader - Thomas.R.Reavell, Bondgate, Alnwick. Deputy " - Charles Hindmarsh, Bondgate, Alnwick. Parish - Ledbury. No. 2 GROUP - Group Leader - Marcus.I.Wade, Fenkle Street, Alnwick. Deputy " - William Meech, Estates Office, Alnwick. Parish - Alnwick (part of) No. 3 GROUP - Group Leader - Robert Middlemass, South Road, Alnwick. Deputy " - Parish - Denwick. No. 4 GROUP - Group Leader - Hugh Archbold, Scott Street, Alnwick. Deputy " - George.M.Turnbull, Olive Terrace, Alnwick. Parish - Alnwick (part of) No. 5 GROUP - Group Leader - Hugh.J.Percy, Front Street, Alnmouth. Deputy " - Tom Bickerton, Ashburn Villa, Alnmouth. Parishes - Alnmouth, and Shilbottle. No. 6 GROUP - Group Leader - Malcolm Whiteford, Castle Hill, Warkworth. Deputy " - Albert.E.Day, Hillrise, Warkworth. Parishes - Warkworth, and Acklington. No. 7 GROUP - Group Leader - John.T.Duncan, Queen Street, Amble. - Deputy " - Parishes - Amble, Radcliffe, and Hauxley. No. 8 GROUP - Group Leader - John Short, Newton-on-the-Moor, Felton. Deputy " - Parishes - Newton-on-the-Moor, Swarland, and Felton. BAMBURGH WARD PETTY SESSIONAL DIVISION. No. 9 GROUP - Group Leader - Maurice.A.Coates, Middleton, Belford. - Deputy " - Parishes - Belford, and Middleton. No. 10 GROUP - Group Leader - Ernest.J.Hart, Bamburgh Castle. - Deputy " - Parishes - Adderstone, Bamburgh, Easington, Mousen, North Sunderland, and Warenford. NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE PETTY SESSIONAL DIVISION. No. 11 GROUP - Group Leader - Capt.V.G.Tippings, Morris Hall, Norham. - Deputy " - Parishes - Carham, Cornhill, Duddo, Felkington, Grindon, Norham, Norham Mains, Horncliffe, Shoreswood, Thornton, and Twizel. No. 12 GROUP - Group Leader - John Black, Sea House, Scremerston. - Deputy " - Parishes - Abcroft, Kyles, Loanend, Longridge, and Ord.

Hello Brian and Mervyn, Many thanks for your comments Brian. Coincidently, another area of interest to me is the collecting of WW1 comic postcards relating to the Special Constabulary. They give another insight into the role of the Special Constaularies during the Great War as they often depict the range of duties undertaken (guarding waterworks, gas works etc..). They also give an insight into the capacity for humour seen in the British public during the horrors of the time. Although that is going off subject a little, there might be scope in the future to post some good examples. Mervyn, I am still going through the file and will try to establish any reference to numbers etc.. They are remarkably well preserved but quite dirty and, in some cases, fragile. I'll let you know. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian, Another interesting piece is attached by way of a note from North Eastern Railway to the Group Leader, Mr Middlemass, outlining the availability of trains to be used in an evacuation. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian, The attached images are a fairly good example of the postcards used to verify the attendance of Special Constables at Farms during the previously mentioned tests. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian, To follow up my point about the load placed on Group Leaders, the attached questionnaire from 1914 illustrates the point in that this particular Group Leader was a Solicitor and that at least some of the admin. work appears to have been carried out from his office. It is slso worthy of note that a question relating to motor vehicles has been added. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian, Another note, dating from 1914, alerts SC Group Leaders to the need to make plans for any enemy landings that might take place. Subsequent documents illustrate the lengths that were taken to formaulate evacuation plans, including a census of all livestock and methods by which they could be moved ahead of any advancement by hostile forces etc... Other documentation relates to a census being carried out in each area to identify all methods of transport that might be required in an emergency. Part of the planning also entailed Special Constables carrying out speed tests, where named officers would be despatched to outlying farms and there receive a signature on a postcard from the occupiers to confirm that the visit had been made. It is interesting to note that even at this early stage of the conflict time consuming and complex tasks were being allocated to the Special Constabulary Group Leaders who were unpaid, part time volunteers. The contents of the 1914 are :- Chief Constable's Office, Morpeth, 25th November 1914. Points with regard to Removal of Transport, &c, in case of a Hostile landing. Let each group leader in his area prepare his figures of Vehicles, Horses, Motors, Petrol Stores, Flour Supplies, etc, and imagine a movement being ordered to the West and how it would best work out as an orderly exodus and not as a stampede. Let each Group Leader talk quietly to the Farmers when he is going about and prepare the way for such an exodus not coming as a shock (if it ever does come) but rather as a thing which has been quietly though out and arranged for. Each Petty Sessional District will have different problems and will have to look at the job from a different aspect to its next door neighbour perhaps, e.g. if the hostile landing be at Berwick or Bamburgh certain things would have to be done in a certain way in your area: if it took place at Whitley Bay it might well that your necessary Action were at first almost nil. Of course this goes to show that as no one knows where it may take place. You must be prepared for any or all places. You will of course read"B" and "C" and go carefully into every clause with your Emergency Committee: Memo "D" is now in your hands and brings the points more up to date. Fullarton James, Chief Constable Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian, I realise that I have not posted my name. My sincere apolgies. I will add to the thread over the next few days and hope that the 'body of knowledge' will increased through other members. Kind regards, Kevin

Hello Brian Many thanks for your kind response. The next attempt at uploading a document has failed so I have recorded the contents below. The letter seems to highlight the importance of the need to 'black out' the area and begins to put into context the role of Special Constables in WW1, which differed markedly from previous times when they were almost exclusivley 'deployed' to assist in the supression of civil disorder. A large emphasis during the Great War was placed on guarding key instillations, preparing for air raids, responding ( in the case of areas such as Northuimberland) to naval bombardment, preparing for invasion, and being alert to the possible presence of spies. Many of the duties developed in WW1 appear to have been incorporated into the functions of ARP and the Home Guard during the Second World War. Anyway, here is a copy of the letter :- Number 4. Chief Constable's Office Morpeth 16th October 1914 MEMORANDUM TO GROUP LEADERS. 1. Stack Fires. these are to be expected at this time of the year and should a Special Constable get to know of one in his neighbourhood, the Chief Constable will be glad that he should attend without further summons. 2. When these fires are not accidental, the perpetrator is very difficult to discover and the presence and assistance of the Special Constable will therefore be all the more welcome. 3. Sometimes several fires in places adjoining break out in one evening : the presence of a certain number of Specials would, on such occasions, allow cordons being drawn round the first outbreak and probably in this way the criminal would either be didcovered or prevented doing further damage. Fullerton James, Chief Constable

Hello, This is the first attempt at uploading a document. This particular one is a questionnaire dated 16 September 1914 to a Special Constable in the Denwick Parish asking the following :- 1. Can you ride a horse? 2. Do you own a horse? 3. Can you ride a bicycle? 4. Do you own a bicycle? 5. Can you use a rifle, shot gun or pistol (specify which)? 6. Do you own a rifle, shot gun or pistol? There is a bundle of such documents all completed and returned from various Special Constables. What is of interest is that the question of driving a vehicle is not included, which is probably not surprising given the socio economic situation at the time and the somewhat rural location. The approach would appear to indicate a very 'bottom up' approach to planning. I have attempted to upload a few more documents which have failed due to the file size but will perservere. Where it is not possible I will attempt to explain the content.

Hello , Just a couple of historical Notes on the Northumberland Constabulary which hopefully will place the SC documentation in perspective. Northumberland County Constabulary :- formed on 1 April 1857 Establishment :- 61 officers Population served :- 171,485 over some Area served :- 1,131,175 acres.