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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: LostSheep2 on Friday 12 September 25 09:38 BST (UK)
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It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I've recently been given some family photos of an unknown policeman.
I've contacted the Met museum and they've confirmed that he was in G Division, but that it was not possible to identify him from his collar number 61.G, as the numbers got reused when a policeman left.
I've also got another photo of the same gentleman in army uniform. He looks older in this one. Unfortunately there isn't any identifiable insignia on the uniform. I can just make out the letter B (I think) on his shoulder strap.
Both photos are Post Card size. The Police photo has "Photo by J. Bender & Co., 179-181 City Road E.C. 40 London Road S.E" printed on the back.
I'm hoping that someone can help date these photos please and maybe give me a lead as to how I can identify him. Thank you.
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2nd. photo no later than mid 20's as the lanyard moved to the
right shoulder around that time.
So post WW1-mid 20's.
His service record is with the MOD & in the process of being moved to TNA.
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There is a Joseph Bender bn c1885 on the 1911 census at City Road occ Photographer
Added he is still in City Road in 1921 but has moved by 1939
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Two sightings of a Constable 61.G - no surnames - in the London area. See items snipped from newspaper.
1. Islington Gazette, 7 Mar 1900
2. Morning Advertiser 4 Jan 1908
NOTE - my search did return 2 other "hits" for 61.G with Constable's surname present. However, when I pulled up and checked the original newspaper image the number was 51.G not 61.G - examples of OCR misread.
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Old Bailey Online
Session Date: 10 February 1902
Case: James Sullivan, Robert Rogers. Theft; Simple Larceny
One of the arresting officers was recorded as Alfred Ross (61 G)
Possible candidate?
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DF,
Good find
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Thanks for all your replies.
The newspaper articles looked interesting. I went further back in time and found one in the Islington Gazette dated 12 Jul 1888, where they mention a name, Police Constable Stephen Chapman 61 G.
I've found a family tree for a Stephen Edward Chapman, born 1860 Bermondsey, on Ancestry, which includes a photo in later years. Unfortunately his features do not resemble those in my photos and his family tree does not include any names I'm familiar with.
I've found a record in the National Archives Discovery which gives his dates of service in the Met from 20 Apr 1885 until 25 Apr 1910.
"Stephen E Chapman, warrant number 70563. Joined on 20 April 1885, and left on 25 April 1910. Last posted to G Division as a PC."
Maybe my PC 61 G joined after 1910.
I also do not recognize the name Alfred Ross, but I'll double check. Thanks again for all your help.