The image of the local bobby riding around the countryside on a bicycle on a hazy English summer afternoon is often the memory many people have of policemen and women of the past.
But is this a true reflection?
People can now judge for themselves as East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s archives and local studies service is pleased to announce the availability of the East Riding Constabulary archive.
This marvellous resource contains thousands of records and photographs recording the history of the force, providing a collection of great interest to social and family historians and enabling researchers to analyse their role in modern English society.
East Riding Constabulary was formed in 1856, twenty years after Hull City Police Force.
Beverley Borough Police force, which formed in 1836, merged with the constabulary in 1928 and, further amalgamations led to the creation of Humberside Police in 1974.
Joanna Larter, collections officer at the Treasure House, said: “This collection contains some wonderful photographs recording over one hundred years of policing in the area and anyone who has a police officer as an ancestor might find a picture of them here. The collection gives a fascinating insight into the day to day running of the police and how it was organised.”
The collection includes general orders, photographs of police officers in uniform, files around the purchase of vehicles and survey carried out when the Humber Bridge as first considered.
It also includes records of the methods used by police to first encourage road safety and war time records including those of the Police War Reserves and the alien registration certificates of those escaping the horrors of the war.
The collection is available to view at the Treasure House in Champney Road, Beverley.
Appointments to see it can be made by calling (01482) 392790
The tatty picture at the bottom is of my Great Grandfather Thomas Elvidge. He was a Policeman in the Woodmansey area during WW1. This was after he had retired from the Army where he had been a Cavalryman serving with the 21st Hussars. In this photograph he is wearing a long service medal and a South African campaign medal. I was given a fantastic insight into his life by researching the archives at The Treasure House and seeing his Police records.
I have a copy of the police sergeants with the Mayor and Lady Mayoress [Hull?]
I wonder if it was in celebration of the men receiving their sergeants stripes.
Sadly my Grandfather died shortly after this photo was taken in a tragic accident.
His name was Harry Stanley Chapman 4th face in the group from the left.
If there is any text matching this photograph I would love a copy for my family history research.
We can definitely say that the Mayor and Lady Mayoress are not from Hull (or in Hull) because the Lady Mayoress is wearing Beverley’s double Waits’ chain, which was the custom for some time. And they are certainly in front of the Beverley Guildhall!
Stephanie Atkins I would reccomend a trip to the Treasure House they hold the Police records and possibly at that time the Police Station was attached to the Guildhall