Some time ago, I discovered that my great-grandfather was a Metropolitan Policeman, in Stepney, in the 1870s, and had been retired with a pension. I found out that you only received a police pension, in those days, if you were invalided out of the force, having been injured on duty.
I've been making some enquiries and finally, the Public Records Office at Kew, have found something. It's The Met Police Record, confirming that my great-grandfather was to receive a pension of £46 10s 0d per annum, by order of the Secretary of State, starting in September 1875. It gives his description - 6' 2", brown hair, brown eyes, middling compexion. Distinguishing marks - scar on the forehead following a blow. Reason for retirement - unfitness for further service due to a severe blow to the head with a pair of fire tongs.
And that's it. No mention as to why he was hit on the head with a pair of fire tongs. Did he intervene in a domestic? Did he try and stop a robbery? Was it a raid on a house of ill-repute?
What the PRO at Kew have found actually asks more questions than it answers. I wonder if there was a Stepney Gazette, or other local newspaper, in 1875, that might have reported the incident?
Was my great-grandfather a hero...or just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I'd love to find out more. Anyone got any suggestions as to how I might go about it?
Which leads me to the next question...!
I've been making some enquiries and finally, the Public Records Office at Kew, have found something. It's The Met Police Record, confirming that my great-grandfather was to receive a pension of £46 10s 0d per annum, by order of the Secretary of State, starting in September 1875. It gives his description - 6' 2", brown hair, brown eyes, middling compexion. Distinguishing marks - scar on the forehead following a blow. Reason for retirement - unfitness for further service due to a severe blow to the head with a pair of fire tongs.
And that's it. No mention as to why he was hit on the head with a pair of fire tongs. Did he intervene in a domestic? Did he try and stop a robbery? Was it a raid on a house of ill-repute?
What the PRO at Kew have found actually asks more questions than it answers. I wonder if there was a Stepney Gazette, or other local newspaper, in 1875, that might have reported the incident?
Was my great-grandfather a hero...or just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I'd love to find out more. Anyone got any suggestions as to how I might go about it?
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