Accrington Borough Police
 

The town had its own police force until 1947, when it amalgamated with the county force. I am trying to ascertain if there are any men from the borough force still living. The last man to join the force , PC Chris Lamb, died some years ago, but there could be others, in their nineties now, still alive. I would specially like to know if Pc Tommy Davies is alive as I want to contact his son, Barry. They lived in Aitken St or Haywood Rd.

Tom was one of the two halbardiers who accompanied the mayor on civic occasions. Others were PCs Murdo McAuley, George Thompson, Jack Fletcher & Sgt Jim Warrington.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I knew Chris Lamb & George Thompson, have you tried the voters registers. Its such a long time since now, that they could all have gone.
Retlaw

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Both of these are on a celestial beat. I have forgotten a lot of names but recall George Smith ( son still in Acc), Bert Astley, Jack Kilgallon, Stan Stevenson,Jack Bryning......

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Jack Bryning was the husband of my mum's best friend Doris. They lived in Nutter Road and when he retired they went to run the post office in Hurst Green/Stonyhurst. He died quite suddenly and wasn't that old. They were my Uncle Jack and Auntie Doris.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

George Smith ran a PO in the Ribble Valley too. Another name - PC Ted Hunt, who lived in Cobham Rd. I am in touch with his daughter, Diana. Also PC Ernie Hindle. Most of the men were PCs all of their service. This was because they declined to be transferred to other areas,and the policy was not to promote PCs 'in situ' Thus some very capable men were held back in their careers. The policy wasn't reversed until 1967.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Was also Pete Conway bob, lived on Dill Hall Lane, was a great fellow, used to manage our cricket team in the Black Bull Pub, sadly pete died many years ago. Pete was a constable that never wished to move away, Was big mates wi Sgt Tommy Sweeting who i think was up Haslingden, Tommy ran the Boxing Club up yon.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Not sure if Tom Davies is still alive Bob, but he did live at the top of Aitken Street, when he left the police he was wefare officer at Shopfitters for years.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Peter Conway was a 'county' man. Finished as Sgt.
Tom Sweeting has been in hospital in a bad way recently but appears to be coming round. He swam for the British Police.He too was a county man.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Remind me on Sunday Bob, Have a very funny story about Pete n our cricket team.;):D

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I've just found this old thread. PC ? Walling has died in the last year. He lived in Scotland. I would be pleased to mhear of any, now in their 90s, still alive.

I am grateful for Atarah Hindle for bringing a1939 photo of the whole force to my notice. Most unusual is that the sergeants had a letter, A, B, C, D etc instead of a number. I've not come across this before.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Probably later than what you are interested in Bob, but I remember a DS Sargeson. His youngest son Tom was in the same year as me at Spring Hill and AGS. There was an older son but can't remember his name. I seem to remember that one of them went into a Guards Regiment. Once again, if memory serves - DS Sargeson committed suicide, but cant remember any details.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Michael (Mick) He was a police cadet before going into the Guards.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Tom Sargeson is dead now. The suicide incident was in mid-50s up Priestley Clough I thin.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Hi Bob,
The McAuley family were very good friends of mine. I used to mate out with one of their sons Richard, who had a younger Brother Alec.

They lived at one time in the Woodnook area, I think Trawden Close, but not sure. In the late 50's they then moved to an apartment above the Bank on St Jame's Street just behind the Elite Snooker Club, sorry but can't remember the name of the bank.
George Thompson was a very funny guy, and one story I remember has stuck with me ever since.
I used to help Bill & Annie Keenleyside in the Blockade for some years, and after 10:30 Closing time when everybody had left and we were clearing up, A flash light would go on and off in one of the higher windows. Bill would then say open the door it's George Thompson, and sure enough it was him with a younger Constable. He would then order his beer, with the young constable saying "we shouldn't be doing this should we", George would then "it's ok son, all part of having good relations with the people of the town"!
Coming back to your question, I'm sure the two will have passed away years ago, or they will be around 110 years of age.
Cheers

Phil kenyon
Late Belfield Rd.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I was privileged to serve with George as a sprog PC. He was a born tutor. Amongst the tips hge gave me was -" always carry 6 pennies in your pocket in case a member of the public comes to you and asks if you have any pennies for the phone" I never met a PC who was smarter than (ex-Guardsman) George - He looked like a bobby should look

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I was driving my tanker near Whitchurch Shropshire in about 1972 when i was stopped by a traffic cop.
I wondered what I had done wrong until he asked me if I knew Tommy Sweeting, because he had seen Accrington on the back of the tanker..
I said I knew him pretty well because he drank in the Royal on Meadow street when I did.
The traffic cop was a swimmer for the Shropshire force and swam agains Tommy a few times and wanted to get in touch with him again.
He gave me his address which I gave Tommy next time I saw him in the Royal. He was very pleased, so much so he bought me a pint.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

He wur a reyt grand chap were George, like tha sed a proper bobby, which is more than a con say abeyut thee, and by the way Dobbo yer bluudy ugly as weel.
Most o them bobby's in Acc were ex military, 6 ft or more, and you treated them with respect, they had earned it. Does ti remember owd Tommy Custard lips, an there was one called Hazlewood, he were always after buyin my working model steam trains, an when a went to Padgate on national service me mam sold em to him, before they'd even gi me a uniform. I never saw any ot money ayther.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

After reading the remark "6 ft or more", does anyone remember Cyril Burnett? He was a detective inspector I think. A huge guy at least 6ft 4in and around 18 stone. Always wore a greenish raincoat and a trilby. A very nice guy if you didn't get on the wrong side of him.

Cheers

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Cyril Burnett was a detective constable in Accrington, having joined Bacup Borough Police just after the war. He was promoted to uniform sgt and transferred to Fleetwood, where he was my next-door neighbour. A lovely chap. He had his finger on the pulse of crime in Acc, mostly working with Det Sgt Vic West, who was a 'short-arse' but master thief-taker. I used to see them walking into the snooker hall under the King's Hall. Cyril died many years ago. His son Fred is in touch with me. He was a telephone engineer after leaving the Grammar School

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Hi Bob,
I stand to be corrected! Always had the impression he was an Inspector.
The snooker hall under the King's Hall “Bug Hut” was the Central Snooker Club. I played a lot of games there, and even to this day I don’t have any signs of having a “Misspent Youth”.
Cheers

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I have seen some photos which may have been of the Accrington Borough Police - but I have my doubts because of the shape of the helmets. If anyone has any photos pre=1947 showing uniformed officers, p-lease would they send it/them to me ([email protected])

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

DS Sargeson used to slam the doors open at the Central, stand at the top of the steps and then start pointing at individuals - no words, but whoever was picked out knew they had to leave and pass by him. Each received a clout around the head and his hands seemed enormous. Fortunately I was never chosen even though I was well under age.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Did you know Harold 'Jock' Mclennan (I don't know if that is how his surname is spelled; which is the thing I'm trying to discover). He was living in Glentham, a village north of Lincoln, in the early c1953/4. His wife told a story about having to crawl across Burnley Road during the winter of 1947 to avoid sliding down to Whalley Road, so I assume he was on the Borough Force at that time. I also know Fred Burnett; he was working at Rochdale when I joined P.O. Telephones in 1962, oddly, we had both attended Springhill school.

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

I cannot find my list of Accrington Borough men. If you email Accrington library( [email protected]), he will know where his copy is. I provided it.
I hear from Fred Burnett frequently., also Alan Heys, another PO engineer. Both attended Accrington Grammar School

Re: Accrington Borough Police
 

Thanks for the contact address. I also know Alan. I occasionally got a lift to Rochdale with him when he was installing equipment in the new exchange c1964/5. He had one of those early minis of which the engine became waterlogged in heavy rain. It once happened at Ewood Bridge on the way to work.