Police Sergeant William Clitheroe

 Here is a lovely story.
I hope someone can help Jim with his quest to find out more about the man.

Jim writes...

"I have tried to find information about the above who was in the Hyde Borough Police from at least 1911 when he is shown as a Constable living at Norbury Avenue, Hyde.
He was later promoted to sergeant and in 1920 was presented with a National Canine Defence League Medal - Below is the citation.
Hope you can help !".

National Canine Defence League Medal, silver (Presented to Sergeant William Clitheroe for Bravery 1919) hallmarks for Birmingham 1916, with silver brooch bar.

Sgt. William Clitheroe and Constable Hughes of Hyde Police Force, and Joseph Swindells of  11, River Lane, Denton, and Arthur Follitt of Jet Amber Cottage, Denton, who carried out a gallant rescue under the following circumstances:
 

For three days and nights the piteous whining of a dog was heard by those crossing the river bridge at Hyde, near Manchester, and the howling caused so much interest that the police investigated its source and found that a dog was precariously perched upon a buttress underneath the bridge. Nothing would entice it to take to the water and swim ashore, and it was slowly starving to death, its cries becoming fainter but more pitiable as it gradually became exhausted.

Two police officers and two civilians, deeply touched by the dog’s appeal for succour, determined to rescue it. A raft was improvised and two 30 feet ladders were lowered, all the operations having to be conducted from the narrow coping of a wall on the bridge, seventeen feet above the river.

For three hours the police and their assistants laboured at their hazardous task, and were often in imminent danger of being precipitated into the stream, which is deep at this point and fringed by treacherous mud banks.

After great exertions and much ingenious contrivance they reached the dog, fastened a life-line around the terrified creature and brought him to safety.

The dog was a “stray” and is said to have been following some workmen over the bridge when he was thrown into the water. His owner being unknown, one of the gallant rescuers has adopted him as a companion, with the approval of the Chief Constable of Hyde, and he is now recuperating in the kindly care of his rescuer.

The presentation of medals was made by the Chief Constable
for Hyde. (extract from the National Canine Defence League Annual
Report 1920).

 

Map showing Norbury Avenue 

Hyde Borough Police

HERE IS AN  APPEAL WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM ONE OF OUR BLOG READERS.

I wonder if anyone can help?

"Hello, my name is Jim Talbot. I am a retired Cheshire Police Officer and now a volunteer Trustee and Researcher for the Museum of Policing in Cheshire

 www.museumofpolicingincheshire.org.uk 

This Museum holds 15000 police officer records, these also cover some of the forces that were merged with Cheshire. 

 I wonder if we may make an appeal through your excellent website to anyone having information regarding Hyde Borough Police officer records or for anyone that would like to contact us via the above web site and supply any information on their relative that served with Hyde Borough Police. 

Thanking you in advance of any assistance that you may be able to provide." 

 

Thanks Jim.
I hope you manage to get some help through the site !

Parade 1904

A large parade consisting of Hyde Police and Fire Brigade on its way down Stockport Road, just passing the Ring-o-Bells pub on the left. Date 1904

Thanks to Paul Taylor for this post

It as been said the above picture looks like a young girl waving.. and I agree it dose.. but I think these are flags, there's a few sets of three flags in the picture. I will sort out more close ups to see if it helps identify the parade.

2 more crops of the original... it's been said in the comment that the prade looks to have been coming round from the side of the Clarkes Arms from what is now the top of Lumn Road. The trams are a mystery and quite unusual as it looks like there are two double deckers.. both open-topped and look to be connected to two single deck carriages.

A close up showing the single decked carriages, it also seems these are heading away from from the parade if the booms are anything to go by.

The British Electric Traction Company Ltd., were granted powers under a Tramway Order of 1896 to construct and operate an electric tramway system, and in 1897 the Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde and District Tramway Company was registered. By June 1899 the first service had begun. In the first four weeks of operation, passenger numbers were so great that it was planned to hire eight double-deck cars from Leeds to supplement the existing rolling stock of sixteen tramcars. In addition, twenty trailer cars were ordered, but, in the event, only twelve were delivered. They were not a success and although four were motorised, the remainder were seldom used and eventually offered for sale.

Oldham Ashton and Hyde Tramways took over from Hyde Corporation, 1 mile of track from Hyde to Pole Bank, Bredbury on the 1st January 1903... 

I wonder if the 4 single carriages are the four motorised trailer cars mentioned above. 

J W A Danby

 This postcard shows the funeral procession of J W A Danby who was the Chief Constable of Hyde, from its inauguration in 1899 until his death 1931.

Does anybody recognise the road they are marching down? 

I think it may be this . Market Street.

 Hyde Police Force was founded in  1899 . In 1947 became part of the Cheshire Constabulary, and in turn in 1974 became Greater Manchester Police or GMP as it is better known..

 

A helmet badge.

Chief Constable Danby's name lives on in a Road, Close and Place named after him in Newton.

The very least he deserved for all the good work and committment he gave to the township and people of Hyde.

More about JWA Danby here . Chief Constable Danby

Thanks to Sheila for sharing the postcard with us. :)

(Map courtesy of Google Maps).
+

Chief Constable Danby and the Hyde Constabulary probably round the 1920's.

Update by Paul Taylor

Hyde Borough Police

 Hyde Borough Police commenced their duties on April 1st, 1899.
The Police Station was then on Beeley Street. 





J.V.A. Danby Hydes first Chief Constable





Hyde Police Force 1935
William Smith Chief Constable

1947 became part of the Cheshire Constabulary, 


 




1974 became part of the Greater Manchester Police Force

I cannot mention Hyde Police without admitting to the times I spent as their guest for the night or even the odd weekend in the Old Police Station at the Town Hall. The cells were scary the first time I spent a night in them.  They were below ground and quite big considering, the bed was wooden.. very well made and sturdy.. well worn complete with a fixed wooden head rest. The walls were very high and the ceilings arched. .. There was a window at the opposite end to the door, this was at ground level and lead into the court yard.

I remember being given a pint of tea in a tin enamelled mug.. breakfast dinner and tea was provided and bought in from Meschia's Cafe on Market Street... At that time Hyde's police patrolled the streets on foot... I think Hyde was blessed with some very good policemen.. many moved on to bigger forces and hoping for better jobs. 

The Blue Lamp
This is now on Greenfield Street
There was one similar to this over the door of the police station

Some officers stayed, and served their time out in their own town and retired to the area... One such officer was Hyde's Desk Sergeant Tony 'D' he would be the one who would read out the charges and shake his head at me... he always had a word with me about 'letting myself down'. I still see him now buying his morning paper and always chat. I found a little bell in a charity shop... it was in the shape of a Policeman's Helmet...  I give it to him... told him to ring it when he wanted a brew at home and is wife would come running... I saw him a few days later and he told me it didn't work ha! and his wife was going to box my ears. Hyde had it's own Courts as well at one time... but that's for another post. 

This was the main door...it was never shut back then... 24 - 7 opening
It is showing 1913 the date this building was built.


 

Seems a long time since police cars parked here...

The Police cars I recall were Morris 100s... Ford Anglia's, Mini, and Vauxhall Viva's. Now and then there would appear a Ford Zephyr, and a Jaguar.  They also had the use of a  'proper' Austin Black Maria Police Van. Then later a Ford Transit took over that roll. 

I'm not sure when this station closed, it was old fashioned and most likely unfit for purpose but I never liked the one which replaced it that was on Onward Street behind the old post office. Alas I can't come up with a picture of this one, so will move over to show the 'New One' on Clarendon Road. 

This one opens 6 days a week 9am - 5pm..

Sunday and Bank Holidays it is Closed  

My thanks to Dave for helping with this post
Once again his pictures have come up trumps.

 Borough Of Hyde
Abstract Of Accounts
1914-15

Police Expenditure 

Salary Of Chief Constable  ..  ..  ..  ..     £300   0s    0d        

Net Pay of Police force (Authorised strength)  ..  .. .. .. ..     £3410  1s  1d

Special Constables  ..  ..  ..  ..     £364  3s  10d

Enlistment Allowances To Dependants  ..  ..  ..  ..     £125  15s  9d

Special  Duty and Travelling Expenses  ..  ..  ..  ..     £72  15s  5d     

Fees To Police Surgeon  ..  ..  ..  ..     £37  2s  6d

New Clothing  ..  ..  ..  ..    £193  9s  0d

Repairs to Clothing  ..  ..  ..  ..     £31s  111/2d

       Badges  ..  ..  ..  ..     £5  8s  3d

Clothing Allowances  ..  ..  ..  ..     £20  0s  0d

Boot Allowance  ..  ..  ..  ..     £52  2s  2d

Oil For Lanterns  ..  ..  ..  ..     £7  19s  6d

Horse and Cab Hire  ..  ..  ..  ..     £10  9s  5d

Rent Of Station  ..  ..  ..  ..     £71  11s  4d

Rent Allowance  ..  ..  ..  ..     £40  0s  0d

Coal  ..  ..  ..  ..     £20  3s  9d

Coke  ..  ..  ..  ..     £1  3s  6d

Firewood  ..  ..  ..  ..     £00  11s  3d

Electric Current  ..  ..  ..  ..     £20  3s  9d

Fitting up Lights  ..  ..  ..  ..     £1  0s  0d

Gas  ..  ..  ..  ..     £5  12s  9d

Mantles  ..  ..  ..  ..     £3  0s  11d

Water  ..  ..  ..  ..     £5  11s  9d

Repairs to Cycle  ..  ..  ..  ..     £1  5s  4d

I wonder how that would compare today.... £1 3s 6d... for coke is not to be sniffed at... how words change over time...  and what about the police having 'Fitting Up Lights'   I wonder who got fitted up... ;0)