Rumour Causes a Riot at Bedford

Bedford Police Officers 1925 [QEV20/7]

Tuesday 6th August 1918: Edward Arthur Drew of 2 Shaftesbury Avenue, Bedford has appeared in court on a charge of obstructing a police constable while in the execution of his duty. This is a sequel to severe disturbances which took place in Bedford on the nights of Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July. These resulted from a rumour that the police had arrested a wounded soldier named Brierley, and that in taking him to the police station the police had nearly killed him. The facts of the case were that a soldier who had drunk too much was arrested at the Fleur de Lis public house in order that he should be taken care of. He became very violent and the military police sought assistance from a police constable. When he arrived at the police station a doctor was sent for who thoroughly examined him, and found that he was suffering only from too much drink. The next morning the Brierley remembered nothing of the night before, and was handed over to the military authorities by whom he was punished. Meanwhile, rumours spread that the soldier had been taken to hospital, where all his old wounds had to be re-stitched. By Monday a woman even asked the Mayor whether it was true that the man was dead.

At the court hearing evidence was given that as the police constable took the soldier along the High Street, Drew and his wife had stopped him. Drew put his hand on the constable’s shoulder and said “Let loose of his arm, you brute; you are hurting a wounded soldier”.  The couple refused to leave, following them to the police station. News spread quickly that the police were hurting a wounded man, and this caused a hostile crowd of two to three hundred people to gather outside the police station. In the riot that followed several military policemen were assaulted. Drew said that the military police were holding the soldier’s right arm, and the police constable was twisting the man’s left arm in such a way as to cause intense pain, with “absolute agony” on his face. He felt it is duty to intervene. William S. Robbins, an engineer, also stated that he thought the soldier was being treated in a rough manner.

The Bench decided unanimously that Drew should not have behaved as he did, and that he should be ashamed of himself. They were sorry he saw fit to interfere with the police. Drew was fined £5 and 4 shillings costs.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 2nd and 9th August 1918

A Policeman's Poem

Scroll honouring men of Luton police force who served in the Great War [Po/PH2/7/4]

Saturday 1st September 1917: Bombadier Alfred H. Goss, a former member of the Luton Police Force now serving with the Heavy Trench Mortars, is at the Bath War Hospital suffering from trench fever. He writes that he is “getting on favourably” and has sent some verses of his own composition to the Luton News for publication. These include the following: 

Having been a soldier
For fifty years or more
I’ll tell to you a story
Of the Kaiser and the war.
He has a great big army,
There’s not the slightest doubt,
With all his guns and all his men
He can’t knock Tommy out. 

The “contemptible little Army”
That fought him on the Aisne
Returns again to action
To knock him back again.
They knocked him back upon the Somme,
They knocked him back at Vimy,
They carried the heights of Westhoek Ridge,
And of airmen he’s not many. 

There’s our “contemptible little Army”
Out in old Flanders now,
And how to stand and hold his ground
Prince Rupert doesn’t know how.
He uses his best tactics,
And shock troops he inspires;
He can’t stop our artillery
Or the lads behind the wires.

Source: Luton News 30th August 1917

Policemen as Soldiers

Police parade in Luton, c.1912 [Z1306/75/19/13]

Tuesday 5th June 1917: Two more Luton Borough police officers have volunteered for military service, bringing the total number who have left the Borough Force to serve in the army to fourteen. At the beginning of the War there were 52 police officers in Luton, and the increase in population means that figure should now have risen to 60, but only 36 are now available, including the Chief Constable. The County Divisional Force is also suffering from an acute manpower shortage. It should have a strength of 25 men, but ten have left for the army and two are absent through illness. There are no unmarried men left in either Force. Police Superintendent Panter has paid tribute to the work of the special constables; without their assistance it would be impossible for the police to carry out their work with so few officers.

Source: Luton News, 7th June 1917

An Aeroplanist Visits Luton

Claude Grahame-White at Bromham with his mono-plane, 1912 [Z1306/21/10]

Sunday 18th March 1917: A sensation was caused this afternoon by two visits of Captain Ball, hero of many aerial encounters with the Germans, to Luton. He first landed a one-seater in Crawley’s field, behind the Red Rails allotments near Ashburnham Road; then reappeared in a two-seater in which he offered to take the Mayor for a flight. As the Mayor was not present, Police Inspector Duncombe took the opportunity, thoroughly enjoying the experience. It transpired that Captain Ball was billeted in Ashburnham Road when stationed at Luton with the 1st North Midlands, and wanted to revisit the town in which he had spent may happy hours. A large crowd gathered, but the police had no difficulty keeping order. Inspector Duncombe described his experience enthusiastically:

 “I would not have missed it for £5. It was beautiful. We ascended to a great height, but there was nothing alarming in the experience. Asked if he would take a lady up into the clouds, the brave officer said he should like to, but he had certain regulations to conform to. I am very glad to have had the opportunity of feeling what it is like to skim at a tremendous rate through the air. It took my breath away at first, and once or twice I thought we should crash into haystacks and the like. It was a little creepy to see these obstacles pass like a flash under the machine. The Captain has wonderful control and guided the aeroplane with the ease of a practised motorman. I felt as safe as being in a motor car.

Source: Luton News, 22nd March 1917

Leighton Special Constable Fined

The Roebuck, Leighton Buzzard, 2008 (© Bedfordshire Archives)

Monday 29th May 1916: A Leighton Buzzard special constable, Fred W. Buckmaster, has been fined £1 after being summoned on a charge of neglecting to carry out his duties as instructed. Mr. H. E. Grimmett, a special sergeant, was in charge on the evening of May 18th when Mr Buckmaster came on duty. He had patrolled the town for an hour and a half and reported at the Roebuck Corner at 9.30 p.m. He was then told to go to the police station to relieve another special constable on duty there. When the second special constable did not report Mr Grimett went to the station and found that Mr Buckmaster had never arrived. He was next seen at 11 p.m. when he drove up in his motor car. Mr Buckmaster did not offer any explanation or apology.

The Chairman of the Bench has received a letter from Captain Bassett, who is in charge of the special constables. Unfortunately it does not give Mr Buckmaster a very good reputation, indicating that he has persistently neglected his duties. Mr Buckmaster’s explanation is that on May 18th a gentleman came to him saying he had an appointment with a doctor at Dunstable, and he thought it was his duty to take him. On the two occasions when complaints had previously been made about him he was ill; he had written at the time to Captain Bassett and understood that the matter was considered to be closed. There seemed, however, to be some doubt as to whether Captain Bassett was entirely satisfied that Mr Buckmaster had indeed been ill.

The special constables are performing an excellent job across the county, and this is the first occasion on which a charge of this nature has been brought. However, it is essential that discipline is maintained. The Bench decided that an example must be made in this case and Mr Buckmaster may consider himself fortunate that as it was a first offence he received a fine of only £1, rather than the maximum amount of £3.

Source: Luton News, 1st June 1916

The First Women’s “Police” Patrols

Margaret Damer Dawson and Mary Allen, founders of Women's Police Service 

[Imperial War Museum Q108495, under IWM Non-Commercial Licence]

Wednesday 5th April 1916: At the annual meeting of the Bedfordshire Branch of the National Union of Women Workers held at Bedford yesterday a speech was given by the national president of the Union, Mrs Creighton. She told the meeting that what she had heard from Bedford had originated the “grand work” of women patrols. The Bedford ladies had noticed a need before anyone else had thought of it, and had started a voluntary scheme which had indicated there was a need for something on a much larger scale. There were now 2000 women’s patrols at work all over the country, safeguarding girls and supporting special clubs for girls and soldiers, with the sanction of both civil and military authorities [1].

Mrs Creighton also pointed out the importance of caring for the thousands of girls now working in the munitions factories, and making sure that their health and character did not suffer. Mrs Trustram Eve had visited the Luton to enquire into the housing situation of munitions workers. , She had found that the girls working in the factories were well provided for. The works all held lists of suitable lodgings; the rooms used for the girls were “clean and respectable”; and the landladies were asked to “mother” the girls as far as possible. In her opinion a matter of greater concern was the long hours the girls were expected to work.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 7th April 1916; Luton News, 6th April 1916

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[1] These women’s patrols worked alongside the privately founded Women’s Police Service. In 1918 the women’s patrols were disbanded and the first women were appointed as police officers.

Aspley Guise Landlord Prosecuted

The former Duke's Head, Aspley Guise, 2008  [CR/PH]

Friday 5th November 1915: George William Kilpin, the landlord of the Duke’s Head beerhouse at Aspley Guise has pleaded not guilty to opening the premises during prohibited hours on October 16th and to obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty. P.C. Stonebridge stated that at 11.30pm he was on West Hill, Aspley Guise and heard voices in Kilpin’s front room. Looking through a parting in the blind he saw Harold Bowler talking to Kilpin, with a pint mug of beer on the table in front of him. The policeman went to the door and Kilpin denied having Harold Bowler on the premises and refused to allow him to look round, shutting the door in his face. He pushed his way into the room and saw beer in the mug on the table; he then went to the back door and saw Bowler running across the yard and out of the back gate. He went after him and found him hiding near the corner of the gate.

Kilpin’s solicitor pointed out that there was no offence committed in choosing to have a friend on the premises after closing time and there was no dispute that this is why Bowler was there, having been to the common with Kilpin to see a sickly calf. There was no attempt at concealment – the lights were burning in the house and the conversation was loud. There was no evidence that drink had been sold to Bowler and Mr. Kilpin had no recollection of obstructing the constable, only that there had been some “conversation” as to whether Bowler was in the house. At this time it was literally true that Bowler was not in the house as he had left and was in the yard. He admitted to a lack of tact, but it was pointed out that an argument over whether the policeman was entitled to enter the private parts of the house was not the same as obstruction.

Kilpin stated that he had been the tenant of the Duke’s Head for ten years and also occupied land in the village. He had asked Bowler to go with him to give a drink to a sick calf, being short of labour since his brother had left him due to the war. When they got home he had asked Bowler to help with some threshing the next day. Before leaving Bowler went into the house to “speak to the missus” and left just as the knock came at the door. The policeman had told Bowler “I have got you for being on licensed premises during prohibited hours”, to which Bowler responded that he was not on licensed premises. Bowler had promised to attend Court but for some unknow reason had gone to Woburn Park instead. The magistrate announced that they were inclined to convict Kilpin, but adjourned the case to allow Bowler to be summoned to give evidence.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer 9th November 1915

A Mountie from Maulden

Mountie Reginald Brown 

Saturday 30th October 1915: Before the War Corporal Reginald Brown was following an unusual career for a man from Maulden, as a member of the Royal North-West Mounted Police in Canada. When the War began he returned home to England and rejoined his former regiment, the Grenadier Guards. Earlier this year he was seriously wounded at Laventie; after a lengthy convalescence in hospital he returned to the Front. Unfortunately news has not reached Maulden that he is in hospital at Rouen, having been wounded for a second time. It is understood that he is making a good recovery from a shrapnel wound over the right eye. His younger brother, Sam, is also on active service with the Army Service Corps.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 29th October 1915

Bromham and the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Bromham Garage c.1925-1930 [Z50/21/11]

Saturday 27th March 1915:  The village of Bromham has suffered a blow with the death of Private Charles Vintner of the Grenadier Guards during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle earlier this month. Private Vintner is the second Bromham man to be killed in the war. He was the brother of P.C. Vintner, the Bromham constable, and leaves a widow and young children.[1] A veteran of the Boer War, he had worked before the war for Mr F. Collins of Bromham Garage.

The son of the Bromham vicar, Canon Browning, writes from the Front where he is serving with the 19th Alberta Dragoons (Canadian Contingent). He describes the battle, during which his unit was part of the mobile reserve:

“The gun-firing was very heavy; there were some big naval guns, very big ones indeed. We watched the aeroplanes being shelled; I don’t know whether they were British or German, as we could not see the guns which were doing the shooting. None of them succeeded in hitting the mark; one of our aeroplanes was brought down, but that was through getting into the line of fire of one of our own ‘Big Lizzies’. We watched the Germans shelling a church about a mile from us the other day: they fired four shots, but none of them hit; they always seem to shell churches. Some of them around are full of shell-holes; one time they scored a bull’s-eye by landing one plum in the middle of a big church clock. This afternoon we are going to play the Yorkshire Hussars, if we can find a football. We have not yet experienced any of the very acute discomforts of war, like the poor fellows in the trenches.”

Souce: Bedfordshire Standard 26th March 1915

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[1] It appears that Charles had married Ethel Hardy in 1911. She gave birth to a son, Charles in the summer of 1915, so must have been pregnant at the time of her husband’s death.

[2] Naval guns mounted on railway trucks were located at Croix Blanche

Corporal Setchell Shot in the Head

Corporal A Setchell

Friday 12th February 1915: Corporal A. Setchell, formerly the police constable at Riseley, was present at the Sharnbrook Petty Sessions today where he was congratulated by the Chairman of the Bench on his return home. Corporal Setchell was serving with the Grenadier Guards at Le Bassee when he was wounded in the head. At about 9.30am on the 8th or 9th of January he was out on a sniping expedition, stationed in a small dug-out only about 35 yards from the German trenches with six comrades. He had “bagged” about six or seven Germans when someone spoke to him. He raised his head and a bullet came through the bank and hit him in the right side of his skull, where it embedded itself in the bone. Fortunately the bullet was partly spent by the time it reached him, but he was bowled over and lost consciousness.

As Corporal Setchell put it he “expected to wake up in heaven”, but when he did regain consciousness he found himself on a stretcher being taken to the field hospital. His first request was for a cigarette. Two days later he was removed to the base hospital, where the bullet was removed. From there he was taken to Southampton on the hospital ship Asturias, then to the Northern General Hospital at Leeds where he stayed for around a week before being allowed him. He has brought back with him a German belt as a souvenir. Out of Corporal Setchell’s platoon of 50 to 60 men, only six answered the roll call after the Battle of Ypres.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 19th and 26th January 1915

A Little Misunderstanding in Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard Constabulary 1897 [QEV20/4]

Friday 22nd January 1915: Corporal William Rooney of the 12th West Yorkshire Regiment has appeared in Court charged with assaulting Police Sergeant Dennis while in the execution of his duty at Leighton Buzzard on 10th January. PS Dennis was in Church Street near the Stag’s Head Inn when he heard a disturbance near North Square. When he got to North Street he saw Corporal Rooney and two privates; they were using filthy language. He asked them to stop but they took no notice. When asked a second time PS Dennis took hold of one of them and told him to get home to his billet. Corporal Rooney told him to let them alone as they were under his charge and caught hold of the policeman’s arm. PS Dennis told the corporal not to interfere with him while he was in the execution of his duty and again took hold of one of the men, warning that he would fetch the guard if he did not go home. Corporal Rooney then struck PS Dennis a violent blow to the mouth, which cut his lip and made his nose bleed. The policeman caught hold of Rooney as he fell and pulled him to the ground, where they struggled. Rooney broke away and ran down the road. When PS Dennis tried to follow, the other two soldiers obstructed him. The three men then ran down Chapel Path. PC Keens came up and they rushed at the prisoner but he slipped past. PS Dennis shouted for the guard, who came out and stopped him. When questioned by Lieutenant Morris, an officer in Corporal Rooney’s company, PS Dennis agreed that to push a man might get his back up, but denied kicking one of the men in the scuffle or kicking the prisoner while he was on the ground.

Corporal Rooney stated in Court that he was walking quietly down Church Street with two others but they happened to be in front of some other soldiers who were making a noise. The police sergeant came up to him and told him to clear off and he replied that he had done nothing. PS Dennis then struck at him; he put up his elbow which accidentally caught the policeman in the face. They fell to the ground together where PS Dennis kicked at him twice and tried to throw one of the privates on his back. The three of them ran away. Later they were walking down Church Street when they met PS Dennis again, who rushed at him but was not able to get him.  He said he ran away from Dennis to avoid being caught by the guard for being out late. Private George Smith, who was with Corporal Rooney, corroborated his evidence, although he did admit saying in the guard room that the Rooney had assaulted the policeman. Private Joseph Linnett gave further corroborative evidence, adding that PS Dennis pushed them first and kicked both Private Smith and himself in the back after they said they were going home. 

Sergeant Harold Brooks said he had known Corporal Rooney since September 9th and found him one of the most good natured men in the Regiment. Corporal Alfred Wilson, who was on guard on the night of the alleged assault said he had followed PS Dennis up Church Street and saw the Corporal on his knees in the road. PS Dennis tried to kick Rooney and did not call on him for assistance. Lieutenant Morris gave Corporal Rooney an excellent character and said it seemed perfectly clear from the evidence that the bother arose out of “an excess of zeal and a little misunderstanding”. While not making any accusation against the policeman he did point out that it was natural if a man was pushed for him to push back. He also stated that PS Dennis had no right to touch Corporal Rooney as he was doing nothing wrong and the matter was outside the scope of his duties. The military authorities regretted the incident, but asked that the Corporal be released without anything against him. After considering the matter the magistrates dismissed the case, which appeared to them to be trivial. They expressed the hope that the previous good feeling between the military and the police would continue and that there would not be similar cases in future. 

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 26th January 1915; Luton News 28th January 1915

Difficulty Over an Expense Claim

Tuesday 19th January 1915: Despite the important work they are carrying out there has been some difficulty over expense claims made on behalf of the Special Constabulary. Major Stevens, the Chief Constable, has returned an account for £156 12s 9d to Mr H. G. Allen saying he doubts it can be paid as “it is expenditure incurred without the previous sanction of the Committee. Also so far as regards some of the items, I have considerable doubt whether the Police Authority could expend the money.” Mr H. G. Allen has today fired off an indignant reply:

I cannot just now possibly produce vouchers for everything as the statement of accounts are drawn from approximately 300 special constables residing all over the shire. I do not suppose for one moment that a large majority of the special constables can produce any vouchers for the smaller amounts which I should have thought could have been taken as being correct. In regard to my own amounts, naturally I can produce a signed statement but not necessarily vouchers shewing how these accounts are made up.

The small items which you criticise, such as 3/- and 2/-, may appear absurd, but they are for men only drawing about 16/- to 20/- per week, and therefore every penny is of consequence to them. The claims sent in are only out-of-pocket expenses and do not by any means represent the cost which has been incurred by individuals. As a matter of fact it has cost a good deal more than the total sum sent in. Seeing that the Government are allowing expenses for the Emergency work I should have thought that these expenses could have been allowed for as well.

I would add however that if it can be shewn that there are any other counties in the Country where a force of Special Constables have been raised for patrolling and guarding hundreds of miles of road and wires throughout the shire (the nature of which work has made the out-of-pocket expenses such an important item) and they have not asked for expenses, then I think there would be no justification for the Standing Joint Committee to grant us a sum. It is of no use comparing this account with any expenses that may have been incurred by Special Constables for Town duty as these naturally have no expenses at all. I herein return you the account.[1]

Source: Emergency Committee Papers [WW1/EC4/2]

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[1] Unfortunately there is no further correspondence to indicate whether or not the expense claim was eventually paid. 

Halt! Who Goes There?

Shire Hall, St Paul's Square, Bedford [Z1306/10/58/8]

Saturday 21st November 1914: A military Court of Enquiry was held at Shire Hall, Bedford, this morning to deal with reports of abusive behaviour to Special Constables. Mr G.H.Soper complained that he had been patrolling with two other constables between Bedford and Astwood on 7th November when they met Alfred William White of Turvey driving a pony cart with two women. Mr White refused to pull up when challenged. Mr W S Brocklehurst took hold of the pony’s bridle and Mr White became very abusive, complaining they had no right to take hold of his pony and stop him. Mr White, however, stated that he had been along the same road several times without being stopped by the constables. Thinking these were the same men, and having told them he was “White of Turvey” he did not understand why they did not allow him to pass. He denied being abusive and was supported by his wife and daughter. Evidence was given that this was not the first time that Mr White had caused trouble for the special constables.

Colonel Sturges, the presiding officer, had no doubt that Mr White had failed to stop when asked to do so. He suggested it was possible that Mr White did not realise his offence, but made it clear that under the Defence of the Realm Regulations special constables were ordered to stop all vehicles on the road; anyone resisting or obstructing them could be tried under Court Martial, and if tried in this way Mr White would certainly be found guilty. Mr White would simply have to put up with being interfered with in this way, and if he did not like being stopped he should not go out at night. The military authorities intended to see that the orders of special constables were upheld. Although Colonel Sturges let Mr White go on this occasion he hoped it would serve as a warning to Mr White and other like him.

Source: Ampthill and District News 28th November 1914

Special Constables

Saturday 31st October 1914: Since the outbreak of the war Special County Constables have been patrolling the roads by night. Their aim is to keep under observation all the main roads where the important telegraph and telephone lines are situated, and to prevent any undesirable people passing through the county. The roads within a radius of about 6 miles of the town are patrolled from Bedford, and the outlying districts are patrolled by local special constables under a local leader. All are volunteers. So far whole night duties have been taken by the Bedford Special Constables and the patrols elsewhere have been divided into two beats. The patrols are arranged so that they can be covered either on bicycle or on foot, and no one has to be on duty more than two nights a week. As the nights get longer more volunteers will be required. By doing so those unable to enlist will still be able to perform a valuable service for their country. 

Source: Ampthill and District News 31.10.1914

Hit By A Train

Postcard commemorating the Sharnbrook rail accident of 4 February 1909 [Z1306/100/26/2]

Monday 28th September 1914, Sharnbrook: An unfortunate accident took place on the railway near Sharnbrook Station this afternoon. P.C.Stringer of Harrold was on guard at the Girder Bridge when he was hit by a light engine on its way from Bedford to Wellingborough as he stood by the goods line. He was thrown down the embankment on to the passenger line and had to be taken to the County Hospital badly injured. At least the accident was nowhere near as terrible as the dreadful disaster of 1909 - the express goods train from Manchester to London crashed into a stationary goods train at Sharnbrook Station and both the driver and fireman of the express were killed.

Source: St Peter’s Sharnbrook Parish Record, P112/28/6, p.55

Boy Scouts Out for Victory

Postcard 1914-18 [X464/62]

Saturday 22nd August 1914 (Bedford): The Boy Scouts have been very busy all week. Some have been acting as messengers for the Highlanders since they arrived last Saturday and the police have also been relying on Scouts as messengers. Others have been acting as guards, watching both the railway bridges, the reservoir, and the pumping station. Bedford's own Scout Troups are being helped by the Elstow, Kempston and Clapham Scouts.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 21st August 1914

German Prisoners

Officers of the Bedford Division at Gadsby Street, 1925 [QEV20/7]

Monday 10th August 1914 (Bedford) - In the few days since war broke out Bedford has been full of bustle and excitement. The Territorial soldiers of the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment have been billeted at the Goldington Road schools since Wednesday, except for those men who live in Bedford who have been allowed to stay at home. Today two Germans were captured at Clapham. At first rumour had it that they were spies but it seems this was not the case. When the Borough police were told Germans had been spotted Police Sergeant Wheatley was sent on a bicycle to look for them. By the time he caught up with the men they were outside the Borough limits so he fetched the Clapham constable, PC Jefferies. They stopped the two young Germans and took them to the police station at Gadsby Street. It appears the men had been in Liverpool working as a waiter and a barman. They had travelled to London to try to get a boat home, but when they were unable to do so they decided to return to Liverpool. Superintendent Anniwell spoke to the military authorities and the men were taken to the barracks as prisoners of war. 

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914 and 14th August 1914

Boy Scouts At Work

Officers of the Sharnbrook Division, 1920. Inspector John Wilfred Bliss, front row centre [QEV20/6]

Friday 7th August 1914 (Sharnbook): Inspector Bliss of the Sharnbrook police station has asked Boy Scouts from the villages to help the police by taking messages.[1] Four are to report to the station at 10 a.m., four more at 2 p.m. and another four at 6 p.m. Those with bicycles are to take them along. Many of the boys are already wishing they were old enough to join the army. No doubt they will feel that being a Boy Scout is the next best thing.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914

[1] The newspaper report says the Scouts were to report to the Police Superintendent, but at this time Sharnbrook’s senior officer was Inspector John Wilfred Bliss (Beats, Boots and Thieves, Des Hoar and Richard Handscomb, p.96). Boy Scouts were used across the county to take messages, run errands and guard premises.