Well it is pretty obvious what this post is about , Training!
Before I forget, if you have served for Dorset or any other South West County, you will find much more information and photographs on a facebook site.
Chantmarle DPTC.
Over the years it was not just Wessex officers that attended Chantmarle although I personally recall officers from Essex.
If you live in or are an ex officer of Avon and Somerset , I believe they also have many photographs from Chantmarle Training Centre.
Back to Dorset:
Training had always been ” in house” at Dorchester HQ, and initial training always took three weeks under the guidance of the training Sgt and Sgt Major before him from 1865 to about the late 1940’s.
Sgt Sidney BAIGENT was the first real teacher mentor, he took over as Training Sgt in 1919 after returning from the front in WW1 and did so, till his retirement in 1935. He was obviously very good at his job.
Next trainers ?
It seems that the Regional Training Centres were started after WW2. It appears that the first one that Dorset recruits were sent too, was Eastfield Park House, Falfield, Gloucestershire and if you google that, you can see some squad photos from those times.
In January 1949 an article was published in the Western Gazette, under the heading.
” Chantmarle as Police College ? ” This was an article about an inspection by the Home Office.
Major L W. Peel Yates, Chief Constable for Dorset, was interviewed by a Western Gazette reporter that week, he confirmed that Chantmarle House, near Evershot had been among properties inspected by Home Office to see if it could be the new police training college for the South West. The South West meaning Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire an Gloucestershire. Also the Borough Forces of Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol and Bath.
After speaking to retired Supt, Bryan GIBBS, when he joined in January 1950, he, Arthur STICKLEY and “Jack” BASCOMBE were sent to Bridgend in Wales for 3 months. This was No: 8 Regional Training Centre, so there was either no availability at Falfield or they were still looking for a new location for No: 7 Training Centre.
In late July 1951 the Somerset Guardian reported, that the South West Forces will be using CHANTMARLE as the location for the No 7 Regional Training Centre and there would be room for 40 recruits who will immediately go there and possibly a maximum of up to 150 including permanent staff in the future.
The photographs below show some courses before the first course in late summer 1951 at Chantmarle.
Below, PC 68 Jack SYMES , to the right, whilst at Bridgend Training School in 1950.
The next photographs are I believe the first course after training started at Chantmarle
Now, I know Vic DAVIS is the Dorset SGT in the photograph, probably the Drill Sgt as well, as he had a reputation for his loud voice and he was 6 ft 6 inches tall.
Vic is sitting, 4th from left. After reading Vics memoirs PC 70 Ron BEALE is also one of the recruits, and at that point I though Dorset had high neck uniform jackets so presumed Ron maybe the first officer in the middle row. However now I know he is at the other end, far right middle row ! Ron joined Dorset Constabulary on the 1st August 1951, so these photos were no doubt taken in August. Vic DAVIS said that there were two courses always running at the same time, with 20 recruits in each, so maybe course 2 started not long after. At this time there were 3 instructors, 2 sgts and a PC. Fred GOULD from Somerset was the other Sgt. The 3 instructors took it in turns to run a course and Fred also did the First Aid and Swimming and Vic did Drill, PT and self defence.
Not sure how old this postcard below is but it certainly gives a feel what it was like before a Police Training Centre, it is possibly from 1905.
Here are some other photographs from the early days, which with time I will expand on.
Below are images from 1960
At the end of every course there is always a passing out parade, and before that there will have also been a “dining in night” to celebrate the completion of basic training. This took the form of an evening function where officers partners could come to Chantmarle and join their husbands and new careers.
I have it on good authority that because many of the new officers were single a call was put out to local towns and villages for young ladies to come to the function, as long as they could do the Waltz. more from Alison White !!!!
I have more to contribute but I would like some help !