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My father was drill instructor, and we lived in a house just outside the gates, with the commandant next door. I grew up at BTC Tadworth from 1948 to 1965 when my father took early retirement. His nam was Sgt Bernard J C Laflin. A wonderful man, you could hear him in the local village Walton on the Hill as he barked out his marching instructions. Sadly no longer with us he is greatly missed, and it was lovely to see pictures of him.

***Alan re your research on the Lancaster. Railway I have a great **Rare Photograph of a BTC Police Officer 195oS PHOTOGRAPH, with dog. Steam engine DRAKE in background. Can send copy if required. REPLY: This message has been forwarded. Webmaster

I wonder if I may draw your attention to an inaccuracy in respect of a particular photograph in your gallery. The photo in question is 65 of 65 in "Constituent Forces". The photo is captioned "SE & Chatham Railway Police at Dover Railway Station 1906". The police officers are in fact members of the Dover Borough Police. The gentleman in the centre with the white beard is a local worthy, William J. Barnes. I hope this is helpful. Dave Wilkinson REPLY: Thanks Dave. Following some more communications, I have now amended the entry. Although it no longer relates to the railway police, it's such a good photo I have left it in the gallery. Webmaster

I am the grandson of Mitchell Eccles was wondering if anyone in the archives section of British Transport Police History Group could help me track down information on my grandfather Mitchell Eccles who I believe may have served with the NBR police around 1920. I have found an old brass service medal with a enamelled Union Jack Flag on a white banner on the left hand side and a Red Rampant Lion on a yellow enamelled banner on the right side front face of the medal . On the back is a personalized inscription as follows: Presentaion to Mitchell Eccles by NBR Police 22 of July, 1920 Western Division SECURITY Any help on tracking down this historical reference and any information regarding my grandfather's history with the NBR Police would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Grandson of Mitchell Eccles

REPLY: This message has been replied to by email. Webmaster.

What an excellent source of information. Thank you for all this research and provision! I was able to date a Bristol & Exeter Railway Police truncheon that belongs in my late fathers collection, I hope it is okay to link to your site from a photograph of the truncheon in question, my visitors need to see and enjoy your site. I have other railway truncheons that I'd like to date and will come back here later. The B&ER truncheon is under Ref:4 on page http://alan.swain.me.uk/truncheons.htm (Not for sale though).

REPLY: Hi Laurence, Yes, of course you can link to our site. Thank you for your kind comments. Regards. Webmaster

I wondered if you had any information on my Grandfather - Charles Emery. He served within BTP at Southampton Docks. I believe he served between the 60/70's to early 80's. Sorry I don't have any further information. Many Thanks Carly REPLY: This message has been replied to by email. Webmaster

My great grand father William Jennings from Ireland is listed in the 1901 census as a Dock Constable (Harbour) and possibly( L. & D co.) Is this a private police force? He died within 3 years of the census as did his wife Lily. My grandmother was placed in the Bethnal Green Poor House orphanage. They were living in West Ham. I would like to find out more about him and wondered if you can help me trace his records or point me in the right direction, please. Thank you. REPLY: Yes, being shown as a Dock Constable indicates he was employed at one of the docks, and as they lived in West Ham it was probably one of the London docks. He would have the powers of a police constable whilst on the dock and been employed by the dock company. Although the BTP History Group includes dock and canal police amongst its constituent forces, the London docks are not part of it, as they had no connection with the railways. I did check his name against our records, just in case, but with a negative result – although our records are far from complete. Webmaster (A fuller reply and correspondence was entered into by email)

Trying to find out some information out on my grandfather Joseph Coulter born July 31, 1884, in Ballymena, Antrim, Northern Ireland. We know he served in the BTP after serving with Glasgow Police.

Have you any information on my father Richard William Law whom served around 1938 - 1953ish in Peterborough. I believe he may have been a Sergent. We have no family history. REPLY: Hi Richard, we do not have any employment records relating to your father, but I was able to find a mention of him in the LNER magazine from 1938. I have sent you more details by email. WebMaster

Hello David, read your article with interest concerning your being a cadet and attending Tadworth ,I do not know whether that was as a cadet or maybe on a recruit course, of course it was a all long time ago and although I do not recollect if we ever met I have a photo of our recruit course with the information on the back marked \"Southern Region Publicity May 1966\" I can remember all the faces and most of the names. Although we were only together three months, at the end we were very much a family. I had always planned to take my wife back to the village to revisit that part my youth ( I was 19yrs when I started at Tadworth) but sadly it would not seem the same with the old place gone. My only claim to fame was putting our instructor in a hammer lock and bar during our beat incidents in the hall - all done at lightening pace, I had to arrest him and march him up onto the stage and present him to be charged after he knocked my helmet off on an imaginary station platform - it drew a gasp from the assembled students. Happy memories and best wishes to all.