– the story behind the picture
A recent discovery of a group photograph of LMS police officers at Carlisle Citadel Station, which was made available as a postcard.
This one all the more interesting as one of the group’s grandson is a currently serving BTP officer (and History Group member).
Neil Clarke writes:
I love this picture for many reasons. The Sergeant on the left of the middle row is John James Clarke (my grandfather). He served in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) during the Great War and one of those medals is the D.C.M. Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded for his actions at Frezenberg on the Ypres Salient in 1915.
He joined the LMS police at Sheffield Midland station in 1922 and moved to Carlisle on promotion in 1929. Retiring in the late 1950’s.
Growing up in Carlisle, and after spending 10 years in the Army, I joined BTP in 1995, where would I get to police Doncaster / Sheffield, patrolling the Midland station 100 years after John James.
I was fortunate to see his pay records while I was at Tadworth.
Neil has also provided a photo of his Grandfather taken in 1958 during a Royal visit (below).
Legend: Carlisle Citadel Station – February 1931
PC Rushforth, PC Dawson, PC Landsborough, PC Potts, PC Walker, PC Storey.
PS Clarke, PC Beattie, PC Cook, PC Spode, PC Minns, PC Fearick, PS Middleton.
Det. Clark, Det. Carruthers, Det. Huddart, D/Insp Reeves, DS Crockett, Det. Grenhow(?), Det Smith.
Thanks to Neil Clarke for sharing his family story,
and to Phil Trendall for finding the postcard and the link to Neil.