POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 1 below.
Did you live in a police house in Dorset, then get in touch, photos, memories, I would love to hear from you if you have not already been in touch.
If you are around my age, close to retirement, you will realise that the house above is, to me is a typical looking police house. It has the the yellow brick and those, 1950’s windows which would have been metal or wood, but certainly not UPVC.
However I now realise my perception and memory of what a police house is tainted, because there were many that were not, what I would call the norm, but there were so many build in the 20 years after WW2, then many were built on similar lines.
The sign outside this house, has the sign ” The Pines” , probably to disguise the fact that it was a police house. Some of you will know where it is, As above I will call it house number 1.
I will not tell you where the houses were/are, to see if you can work it out, the answers to this quiz will be at the end. Another test of your knowledge and memory to occupy another 10 minutes of any Lock down !
Many police house are still standing and occupied with new private owners for example: Barnes Way in Dorchester, South Avenue in Sherborne and then there are all those cul-de-sacs behind the station like Peel Close in Blandford and Milton Crescent in Weymouth.
Many houses have been now flattened and new houses or flats built on the land. Normally the council rename them with apt names as a clue, Constable Close and Peel Court come to mind, but I have NOT come across a Sgt Street in Dorset !!!
It always tickles me, when I see a house with a sign on it saying
” THE OLD POLICE HOUSE”
It is not just the sign, but after living in 7 police houses I always think, that, to me it’s obvious ! The ones after WW2 all had that minimalist style, nice square gardens, but built for practicality and built on the cheap. There was always nothing very fussy going on outside, as the occupants did not change many features as they were not really allowed to put their “own stamp” on it, to use that well known house estate agents phrase.
I remember my father being told he was posted in the mid 1960’s and we all jumped in the family car, a 1964 Vauxhall victor to look at police houses in that area. I do not remember anyone showing us around, so I guess my parents had the keys. We located one house, close to Bournemouth, we toured the inside and walked in to the kitchen and my mother said, “We are not moving here”. Not the sort of positive response, my father was expecting and my mother said it with aggression, as if she was leaving asap. The kitchen was tiny, even to me as a 6 year old, it was slightly bigger that a telephone box, but if I am allowed to say it these days, “not big enough to swing a cat around in” !
In this year, the year 2021, I would be surprised if we still have any police houses in the UK, which officers live in, or police houses with offices attached. I conclude that all police officers must now live in private houses, either owned or rented, with no link to their Police Force.
I believe that before the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, no police officer was allowed to buy their own homes. Even after that time, some senior officers were persuaded not to buy their own, so the Chief, Arthur HAMBLETON, could make sure he had his senior men in strategic positions around the Constabulary.
I am not sure of the exact date, but I believe my parents bought their first house around 1971, although we did not move in for 2 more years. I have heard of others doing the same and renting them out before they could relocate.
So in theory, all the officers who served from 1856 – 1967, must have been living in properties owned by the County Council or ones that were privately rented by the Police Committee. Although I have heard now that you could apply to buy your own home after 15 years service, and some officers in the 1960’s transferred to other Forces, especially Bournemouth which did not have such a strict policy, just so they could get on the property ladder !
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 2 above.
I was born in November 1960, I am not on the above photograph !
This really is a police house and hopefully you will have realised, it is from way before 1960.
Look closely and there are some clues. It should be obvious from the hand painted sign on the door frame, no expense spared there. Then of course the chap in uniform is the bigger clue.
When I first saw this photograph I was quite consumed by how clear the photograph was, the grandeur of the building, apparently it was in Dorset, it looked rural, but yet, how could it be in such a rural setting, it must be an urban area. I really did doubt that it was in Dorset.
I scoured google street view to try and locate it, initially thinking in must be in a town, until not finding it, I tried smaller populated areas and eventually found it.
So how old do you think this photograph is ?
I guessed it was around 1900, but it was a guess, I am no expert on photographic history, I was probably looking more at the frocks and hats. When were frocks and hats at their height ? ( no pun intended for the hats) . I have no clue. But maybe something else to focus on later.
Instead I looked at the policeman, could I work out his collar number ? What was the badge on his arm? What was the occasion, with some wearing some flowers and dressed in their best it must be a special occasion.
I have darkened and tried to clarify the photo, to see if we can work out his number ! Can you see it, can you work out what it is ? It is two numbers, around 1900, there were about 140 Constables, so we can narrow it down to those numbers between 10-99.
Not exactly helpful, but 2/3rd less policemen to consider than before !
Boots Opticians send me countless emails telling me I need to come for another check up, well they maybe right, however I am too busy straining my eyes at old photographs ! His collar number looks like 17, what ever his number is he looks the Bees Knees. A very smart chap, but maybe not as smart as the younger lads by his side.
Looking at the Constables uniform and especially from the shape of his helmet, I believe it is a winter uniform from the early 1900’s. There was a constable in this village from at least 1857.
Next step, let’s try and find out who the village constable was who lived in such a lovely surroundings from around those dates. Well here is your choice.
1893 Apr: George BUTSON PC 46
1893 Oct: Alfred MAJOR PC 109
1898 Nov: Harry POWELL PC 82
1901 Jan: Augustine MEECH PC 87
1904 Aug: Fred MEADEN PC 115
1914 Harry WESTCOTT PC 80
Just based on the fact that the officer collar number ends in 7, I believe it will be Augustine MEECH, however I will not put my life on it as it could a 2 !
A recent photograph of the idyllic house.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 3
Hopefully, I now have your full attention, because we all like to solve a mystery.
I will number each house so if you feel you need to refer to them it will help everyone.
Here is another one !
The below photograph came up a few years ago on ebay .
Not exactly the lovely dwelling of number 2 before, but never the less a police house, obvious by the County Police sign again.
Luckily there was some information on the paper card folder it was sent in: stating, Verne & Cyril with a village location and the year, 1921.
Obviously if the 1921 census was available it would have helped, but it was a few years short when I bought it. I could not find anyone in the Constabulary at the time who had the first name Vernon and Cyril was also not helping.
On checking further I discovered there was PC 102 Melville HOUSE who joined Dorset Constabulary on 1st September 1919 also seems to have used his middle name Vernon. I found out that, ” Verne ” was married in 1920 and he and his wife started a family with Cyril Nigel HOUSE being born on the 23rd May 1921, so obviously that means the photograph is after that date and late 1921.
In October 1921, the family moved to this village, where I believe they stayed till at least 1930.
Hopefully at some point I will be able to pass on this photograph to the family ancestors. I wonder if that police house is still standing almost a century later ?
I have just spotted the family dog as well. So do you think this is the same house below , as I think it is ? Certainly an upgrade on the police quarter and well maintained, but I believe it is the same just a century later.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 4
Another desirable police house. I love the posters either side of the door. This one is well documented, showing PC 31 Walter George BAGG outside his police house with his family. George and his family were posted to this location in August 1899 to October 1901. In the 30 years since the start of the Constabulary there had been 20 policemen posted here, so this house may well have seen all of them. The thatch looks in good nick.
Again it still appears to be standing below !
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 5
This is probably my favourite police house, yes it is very up market, but then it was rented for a Superintendent not a Constable. Grand it certainly looks, it has frescos on the walls. Not sure if that is the right word, but Leonardo would have been proud of it. There is also a plaque or memorial on the front, although I could not personally check it out, without driving 300 miles.
There are some many ornate structural features that catch the eye, the cornicing and the chimneys, I would like to think the inside was just as grand for the occupant at the time.
Apparently the plaque on the outside commemorates the opening of the local park.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 6
Here is a photograph of ME, and our street, my dad’s prize car outside, the blue one in the second photo. My recall is not great, but I think it is 1964, so I am 3 years old. Happy as Larry, and ready for adventures in my best wellies.
However I was not happy for long. The next adventure in my mind, was that the garden wall needing to be conquered and to test my balancing skills! I climbed, I conquered, I fell and to this day I can still feel that gash on the top of my head caused by falling off and hitting my head on the brick edge! I do not think the wall contact affected my brain, well maybe it did !
I am not sure when the above street was built but it was behind the police station and the boss had a detached house. Based on the size of the apple blossom trees, the houses must be about 10 to 15 years old so maybe 1950,s
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 7.
I lived in, or rather my parents moved to this semi detached about 1964. My mother really loved it here because it was her home town. I remember Roy TEE being next door. Graham LEE we lived at no. 23 and next to them at 21 was Sgt HIGHMORE ( in charge of the dog section) when he retired a PC BAKER came and lived there. Living in James Road was Harold and June SWATRIDGE, Pat and Len BURT, Eddie COOPER and his wife Tony CONWAY and his wife Mary, Denzil HIGHMORE and his wife, Jack BASCOMBE and his wife. PC DAVEY and his wife and Harry VINE who was stationed at Weymouth. So if you have a memory then get in touch ! These were the houses across the road from our abode, numbers 21 and 23.
This photograph would be from 1965, with the sun in my eyes, and pristine large uniform, I reckon this could be my first day at school .
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 8 below
The next one is somewhere else, we have moved on and my sis has appeared, camera shy and the cute one, as she has not got a lovely billy bunter cap on like me ! Blue was certainly the colour, and I remember it was just the “Pirates” that you followed.
If you lived there, then it is obvious, me and the cute one again, ready to hit the local school and before setting off for the French Riviera on our travels ! Another view of the street below. I would not put money on it, but I think we lived in number 5, which in hindsight was lucky as there has been chat about a lady ghost being seen in numbers 6 and 7.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 9 below.
Obviously must have been one of the first police houses, as it is very similar in style to the original police stations. Lovely arched windows and great character, and a quality building, right at the start of the village.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 10 below.
One of the most remote houses you will come across as was engulfed by fields when first built. It still exists, but ii is very hard to locate it on google maps.
A pensioners recollection:
In November 1972 this former police house was advertised on orders for anyone interested in occupying for same. Knowing the area like the back of my hand I applied for the position immediately. The only other applicant was a young probationer and I was allowed to take on the house, being based in the local town.
As soon as I told someone about the move I was warned that the septic tank in the garden was liable to overflow every Xmas week which was not what I wanted to hear. However, I was told the tank would emptied before I moved in ,which was good news. We moved into the house on, Dec.19th.1972 and as soon as we moved in I checked the tank and found the fault immediately. When the tank was installed the builders allowed cement to drip down inside the tank and this then hardened and stuck in the pipe. With the help of a large crowbar I gently chipped the cement lumps off the pipe and from that day on we never had any trouble with it.
I was allowed to decorate the house from top to bottom and before long we had the house as we liked it.
The best thing about the house was the view from the kitchen window, from where we could see the Mendips in the distance on a clear day. Being an aircraft enthusiast I found that I could see aircraft on the local runway, and the house was right in the flight path. We had thirteen happy years at this house till 1985.
I am not sure when it was sold off but now looks to be in the hands of a car salesman.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 11 below .
This could be the hardest of the lot, I do not think anyone would get this one, unless you were born in it or the village ! The CUSTARD family lived here in 1891 , Tom his wife and 5 children occupied this house and then later moved to a bigger house after they had more children. From the second photograph I think the house is still standing !
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 12 below
A solid looking police house was one of the first police houses built in Dorset in this town and dates back to 1861. Over a century later it was still the police house.
POLICE HOUSES NUMBER 13 below.
The first house in the village is still standing and the second built in the 1950’s.without the extension, which must have been added when in private hands. It appears to have been knocked down in the last 10 years and replaced by a new building of flats and a small cul-de-sac, so it must have had a large garden.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 14 below.
Built before 1938, this house replaced the old house in Market Street which seems to have been replaced by some public toilets !
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 15 below.
Was probably built in the late 1930’s on a main road. The flat roof extension was probably the police office when it was a police station. Jack CLIST or Bertie SMITH and their families were I believe the first occupants of this police house.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 16 below.
An officer’s memories in the early 1970’s
I was posted to Blandford with accommodation provided at Winterborne Whitchurch. As a Londoner, I thought being in Poole was like living in the country so you can imagine how I felt standing outside Winterborne Whitchurch Police House!
I was married with a toddler and a wife who was not a driver so I appealed against the move. Thinking I had escaped that move, I assumed I would remain in Poole, how wrong can you be!
So we ended up getting allocated another house, my wife , young son and me.
It was a cold, cold house! We had come from central heating to open fires and a coke boiler in the kitchen. No worries, I soon lit the boiler to get us warm, this had interesting consequences. We opened the door to the dining room to find it half filled with smoke! So a quick look around and I found the inspection cover on the wall outside in a very narrow space between us and next door. Getting the plate open was hard enough but removing the best part of a sackful of twigs and other bird nesting material was even worse. Welcome to clean air in the country we thought!.
We should have wised up to this situation and realised that the chimneys had not been swept for many a day, but, it seemed as if we had got over our police house ‘initiation’ and were settling in at last. One winter’s evening we lit the fire in the lounge as we had on previous occasions and I settled down by the fire to read the paper. ‘The fires going well’ I thought as I relaxed. Suddenly I realised that it was going very well, when large lumps of burning soot began falling into to fireplace. I rushed outside and sure enough, the chimney was well alight, flames coming out a good 2ft.
We called the Fire Brigade and I resignedly pulled the carpet back and cleared the way for the firefighters! By this time most of the neighbours were outside enjoying the spectacle of the police house on fire, and I could see my career going up in smoke as well!
I recall my parents having open fire problems in their police houses, so I am sure you could be recalling a similar memory.
Here is the house, now it is called “Coppers Cottage” !
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 17 or rather flats below.
This should be quite easy to identify as many officers seemed to enjoy living here, especially being in close proximity to their neighbours.
My dad was a Sergeant and in 1966 when I was six, we left our house in what was Vernalls Lane, Sherborne, to move into a brand new three bedroom flat. There were 15 flats in the block and we moved into No 1 – from memory, flats 10 – 15 were still being completed.
The flat was spacious and modern and was separated from the busy road by a small copse. Each flat had a wash room in a corridor that led to the garden. In the wash room was an urn for boiling clothes and a mangle, a spin dryer was a much later addition. We were on the ground floor so the dining room led onto a veranda but the first and second floor flats had blue balconies – still there to this day but now looking very tired.
As the flats became occupied by couples and families, it grew into a wonderful, friendly community. I recall that one of the last flats to be completed experienced flooding on more than one occasion. As a child, it was always exciting to see the fire engine pumping out the water. All the families would rally around to offer support, including beds for the night. Such a special time.
The adults regularly held dinner parties in each other’s flats and the children’s birthday parties were always attended by as many adults as children! There were many children, of all ages, so there was always someone to play with. I remember spending many happy hours playing on the grass at the front of the flats; often the dads would organise football or cricket matches. We climbed trees in the copse, built dens and cycled around the paths. We spent hours playing ball games and I recall being told off when we used the wall of the flats to repeatedly bounce our ball off, if someone was trying to sleep having just come off nights. Hide and seek could go on for hours as there were so many places to hide. Fireworks night was always a big event with everyone coming together in front of a bonfire, lots of bangers and Catherine wheels and lovely hot food. We frequently went on picnics, travelling in convoy to the New Forest. So many happy times shared with others.
I was lucky enough to attend the local Primary School for a few years, having first attended another Infant School. My mum worked in the local supermarket which was in the row of shops adjacent to the flats. One thing that sticks in my memory was how frequently gypsy ladies would call at the flats to sell “lucky lavender”. I can remember on one occasion, one of them sat on the front door mat and refused to leave until my mum bought some!
Unfortunately I am not now able to remember all the families who lived in the flats in the early years. Those I can recall are Pam and Duncan Harrison with their children, Karen, Lisa and Tracy; the Francis family; the Shaws; the Sheridans; the Ambroses; Ron and Hilary Donaldson, Alan and Wendy Burt arrived as newly weds and the Seawards. Hilary Donaldson lived in Flat 9, top flat in the centre, and was a hairdresser. I’m sure she did most of the ladies’ hair – she certainly did my mum’s hair and cut mine and my sister’s.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 18 below
This house replaced a very much older terraced house further down the road.
” It was purpose built with a Police Office to the right of the front door when viewing the house from the front, access to the Police office for the public was through the front door and the ‘front room’ of the house was on the left with no separation that I can remember from the public entering the building, not that there were many visitors. I was only young of course and that impression might be false. I do remember two things about the Office, one being a poster diagram of a Martin Baker ejector seat and the second was the finned tail section of a mortar bomb” What a young boy remembers of the house !
POLICE HOUSES NUMBER 19
All three houses had resident police families , one SGT and two PCs normally and were definitely police houses in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
POLICE HOUSE NUMBER 20
A pensioner reminiscing:
In the mid 1960’s till early 1969 I was living in this much loved semi -detached police house below, where the garden backed onto the railway line. We then were posted to Bridport and had a house at the Police Station – the first house to the right of the entrance arch as you look from the front. I believe it had five bedrooms, three of which were unusable due to the condensation running down the walls. The floors, downstairs and upstairs were made of concrete, and the doors were made of steel. We asked for, and were given a new draining board to replace the one which had started to rot, and the boiler which belched smoke when the wind was in the wrong direction, making the entire house stink of fumes. (The new boiler wasn’t much better). There was a large garden which ran up a steep incline. I made a stab at cultivating it but reaped none of the rewards as we were moved to Poole a year later! It was well worth it just to get away. There was a slit window, about thirteen feet high by two feet wide on the landing – try finding a curtain to fit that! We had a toddler at the time and it was inevitable that he was going to trap his fingers in the door as he pushed it shut. When we left Bridport, my wife was pregnant and we were sent to a second storey flat at the old Ashley Road Police Station – twenty seven stairs, but a neighbour kindly allowed us to keep the pram in his shed. Our daughter was born in Bournemouth Hospital while we were living at that flat. Thankfully we were only there for a few months and we were offered an excellent house at Stanley Green Road, Poole, where we lived until we were given permission to buy our own property. Our experience of police houses was quite varied!
I believe that the expression goes – “you tell that to the kids of today – they won’t believe you!”.
This is the ” much loved semi”.
HERE ARE THE ANSWERS.
1: Blandford, Peel Close.
2: Netherbury
3: Bishops Caundle
4: Wool
5: Poole Park entrance
6: Wareham, Encombe Road
7: Dorchester, Garfield Avenue
8: Poole, Market Street.
9: Fontmell Magna
10: Bradford Abbas
11: Hooke
12: Stalbridge
13: Milborne St Andrew
14: Abbotsbury
15: Corfe Mullen
16: Spetisbury
17: Oakdale, Poole
18: Puddletown
19: Upwey. Dorchester Road.
20: Wool, Barnes Close