[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Chestnut

Hi again,
There were actually four generations of Jeremiah in the family. William's father was the third. He lived from 1856 until 1903. William's mother, Isabella Hill remarried (Fred Leyland) 3 July 1907.
I don't know about the uniform, helmet or bandolier Jeremiah is wearing in the picture. Family lore says he did not serve in the military during the war. I'm basing the reference to the Lancashire Constabulary on a document posted on a genealogy website by a cousin (attached) and my father's birth certificate. I would love to learn if there is any more significance to the uniform.
Jeremiah Farrington in the photo was born 24 June 1884 in Rochdale. In 1891 and 1901 he was with his parents living in Accrington. I can't quite read the address on the 1891 census, but it's 50 Canning or Conning Street. 1901 it's at the Pineapple on Elephant Street. The elder Jeremiah was an iron moulder in 1891 and innkeeper in 1901.
By 1911 the younger Jeremiah (1884-1965) was married to Susannah Barnes, also of Accrington, had a son Stanley born in Accrington and was living at 79 Lonsdale Street. In 1913 he had a second son (my father Norman) born in Newton in Makerfield. Jeremiah's occupation listed as Police Constable. By 1916 as you noted, he was back in Accrington at 79 Lonsdale Street. He immigrated to America in 1922 and also settled in Pawtucket Rhode Island. His wife and children followed a year later.

Canning St I cannot find that street in the 1841/51/61 census returns, and I never completed the 1891 census, nor is the street mentioned in present day street guides of Accrington, the Pineapple was a small public-house, Elephant St, was a short street connecting Birtwistle St and Plantation St.
The strange thing about this is Pawtucket, that name appears a lot in my files, dozens of family's from Accrington & district went to live there both before and after WW1, I even have two men who came back to Accrington to enlist in the British Army.
Lonsdale St still exists, situated in the West of Accrington, running from Blackburn Rd to the Charter St & Pickup St junction,
As for the man in uniform with rifle and a bobbies helmet, I know some one who served in the Accrington Cop Shop, he's an old sparring partner of mine, I will ask him about whether the old Borough Police were ever issued with Rifles.